Butter Chicken
User Reviews
4.4
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Prep Time
20 mins
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Cook Time
50 mins
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Total Time
1 hr 10 mins
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Servings
6
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Calories
399 kcal
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Course
Main Course, Dinner
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Cuisine
Indian
Butter Chicken
Description
This Butter Chicken recipe begins by seasoning chicken pieces with garlic, ginger, coriander, chili powder, and salt. The chicken is briefly cooked until browned and set aside. The sauce starts by sautéing cumin seeds, onions, and remaining garlic and ginger until translucent. Water is added along with cashew nuts, jalapeño, tomatoes, and remaining spices, then simmered for about 20 minutes to cook and meld flavors. Smoothness is achieved by blending the sauce before returning it to the pan.
Butter, ketchup, sugar, and half and half are stirred in to finish, yielding a creamy, slightly sweet curry with a balance of heat from chili and depth from the cashew and tomato base. The butter contributes to a glossy appearance and rich mouthfeel. Parsley adds fresh color before serving.
This dish pairs well with rice or flatbreads, providing a rich main course with a moderately complex spice profile.
Practical tips include prepping all ingredients beforehand for smooth cooking flow, and substituting coconut milk for a dairy-free version while noting that red food coloring is optional to achieve the characteristic restaurant red hue.
Ingredients
Chicken
- 6 cloves garlic minced
- 2 teaspoon ginger paste
- 2 pound chicken breast boneless and skinless, cut into small pieces
- 2 tablespoon Coriander ground
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- ½ teaspoon salt or to taste
- 3 tablespoon vegetable oil
Sauce
- 1 teaspoon cumin seeds
- 1 large onion chopped
- 3 cups water
- ¼ cup cashews
- 1 jalapeño diced
- 3 tomato cut into small pieces
- 4 tablespoon butter unsalted
- 1 tablespoon ketchup
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- ½ cup half and half
- 1 tablespoon garam masala
- ¼ cup parsley chopped for garnish
Instructions
- Season chicken: Add half the garlic and ginger to the chicken, 1 tbsp of the coriander powder, 1/2 tbsp chili powder and salt. Mix everything until all the chicken is fully coated.
- Cook chicken: Heat up the oil in a large skillet to which you will add the prepared chicken. Cook the chicken for about 5 minutes then remove it from the skillet.
- Start sauce: In the same skillet add the cumin seeds, onion and remaining garlic and ginger and saute for a couple minutes, until the onion is transparent. Add a couple cups of water to the skillet and stir. Add the cashew nuts, the remaining coriander powder, remaining red chili powder, jalapeno, the tomatoes and stir well.
- Blend: Let the sauce cook slowly over medium low heat, covered for about 20 minutes. Let the sauce cool for about 5 minutes before pouring it in a blender and blend it until it's nice and smooth. Pour the sauce back in the skillet. Add another cup of water, the butter and stir. Stir in the ketchup and sugar as well. Taste for seasoning and adjust with salt as needed.
- Finish: Stir in the cream, the chicken and garam masala. Cook the sauce with the chicken for another 10 minutes.
- Serve: Garnish with fresh parsley and serve over rice.
Notes
- Half and half is equal parts whole milk and light cream, about 12% fat.
- Prepare all ingredients in advance to simplify cooking steps.
- For a dairy-free option, substitute cream with coconut milk for richness.
- Adding butter is important for flavor and sauce appearance.
- Red food coloring is optional but helps achieve a vivid red sauce color seen in restaurants.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 6Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 399 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 1serving | |
| Calories | 399kcal | 20% |
| Carbohydrates | 11g | 4% |
| Protein | 35g | 70% |
| Fat | 24g | 37% |
| Saturated Fat | 13g | 65% |
| Cholesterol | 125mg | 42% |
| Sodium | 441mg | 18% |
| Potassium | 897mg | 19% |
| Fiber | 2g | 8% |
| Sugar | 5g | 10% |
| Vitamin A | 1546IU | 31% |
| Vitamin C | 23mg | 26% |
| Calcium | 72mg | 7% |
| Iron | 2mg | 11% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
4.4
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