Butter Chicken, also known as Murgh Makhani, is a popular Indian dish known for its creamy, flavorful tomato-based sauce and tender chicken. Here's a recipe for you:
Ingredients
For the Chicken Marinade:
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Boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs - 500g, cut into bite-sized pieces
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Yogurt - 1/2 cup (thick, plain)
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Lemon juice - 1 tbsp
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Ginger-garlic paste - 1 tbsp
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Kashmiri red chili powder - 1 tsp (for color and mild heat)
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Garam masala - 1 tsp
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Turmeric - 1/2 tsp
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Salt - to taste
For the Sauce:
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Butter - 2-3 tbsp
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Onions - 1 medium, finely chopped
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Tomatoes - 3 medium, pureed or 1 cup canned tomato puree
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Ginger-garlic paste - 1 tbsp
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Garam masala - 1 tsp
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Kashmiri red chili powder - 1 tsp
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Dried fenugreek leaves (Kasuri Methi) - 1 tsp, crushed
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Heavy cream - 1 cup
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Honey or sugar - 1-2 tsp, adjust to taste
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Salt - to taste
Garnish:
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Fresh cilantro (coriander) - chopped
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Cream - for drizzling (optional)
Instructions
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Marinate the Chicken:
- In a bowl, mix yogurt, lemon juice, ginger-garlic paste, red chili powder, garam masala, turmeric, and salt. Add the chicken pieces and coat them well with the marinade. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, preferably overnight.
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Grill or Pan-Fry the Chicken:
- Grill the chicken pieces until cooked through. Alternatively, you can pan-fry them in a little oil until they're nicely browned but not completely cooked through.
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Prepare the Sauce:
- Heat butter in a large pan. Sauté the onions until they're soft and golden.
- Add the ginger-garlic paste and sauté for a few seconds.
- Add the tomato puree, garam masala, and red chili powder. Cook until the sauce thickens and the oil begins to separate.
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Combine Chicken and Sauce:
- Add the grilled or pan-fried chicken pieces to the sauce. Cook for about 10 minutes, or until the chicken is fully cooked.
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Finish the Dish:
- Lower the heat and add the crushed fenugreek leaves and heavy cream. Stir well and cook for a couple of minutes.
- Adjust the seasoning with honey or sugar and salt.
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Garnish and Serve:
- Garnish with chopped cilantro and a drizzle of cream if desired.
- Serve hot with naan bread or basmati rice.
Enjoy your Butter Chicken! This dish is loved for its creamy texture and rich flavors. It’s a great introduction to Indian cuisine for those who are new to these flavors.
