Butter Chicken Recipe

Easy Butter Chicken Recipe

You have had it, but never cooked it? Here is an easy butter chicken recipe for you. Butter chicken, also known as murgh makhani, is a popular Indian dish made with chicken cooked in a creamy tomato-based sauce. Here is a recipe for making butter chicken with cashew paste:

The below recipe is for about 450-500 gms of chicken, double the quantities for a kg of chicken.

Butter chicken Ingredients:

1 lb/450 gms boneless chicken thighs, cut into bite-size pieces.

1 cup plain yogurt.

1 tsp ginger paste.

1 tsp garlic paste.

1 tsp turmeric powder.

1 tsp cumin powder.

1 tsp coriander powder.

1 tsp red chili powder.

Salt to taste.

1 cup cashews, soaked in water for at least 1 hour.

1 cup tomato puree.

1 large onion (optional).

1 cup heavy cream.

3 tbsp butter (the more the butter, better it is).

1 tsp garam masala powder.

2 tbsp chopped cilantro/parsley for garnish.

Instructions:

1. In a large bowl, mix together the yogurt, ginger paste, garlic paste, turmeric powder, cumin powder, coriander powder, red chili powder, and salt. Add the chicken pieces and marinate for at least 1 hour, If you want better results, keep it overnight in the fridge.
2. Drain the cashews and grind them into a smooth paste using a food processor or blender. Make sure the paste is completely smooth, as any bits and pieces can affect the texture of the gravy. If required, strain the paste using a strainer.
3. Heat a large pan over medium heat. Add the marinated chicken and cook for about 8-10 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through. Remove the chicken from the pan and set it aside.
4. Saute the onion to golden brown, make it into a paste and add it back to the pan.(skip this step if you are not using onion.)
5. In the same pan, add the butter and tomato purée. Cook for about 5 minutes, or until the tomato purée is thickened.
6. Add the cashew paste, heavy cream, and garam masala powder to the pan. Cook for an additional 5 minutes.
7. Add the cooked chicken to the pan and stir to coat it in the sauce. Cook for another 5 minutes.
8. Garnish with chopped cilantro, a bit of cooking cream and serve with rice (best with Jeera rice) or naan bread.
9. This recipe is a classic way of making the Indian dish Butter Chicken with cashew paste that adds a creamy texture to the dish.
10. An easier way out is to buy a ready mix of Butter chicken masala and follow the instructions on the pack. But then the flavors are somewhat different. 

Images by stockimagefactorycom on Freepik

Here is what a Bulgarian had to say after eating the dish – Butter chicken is extremely tasty and aromatic, It is rich and filling, unlike most Indian recipes, it is not spicy. Bulgarians are not used to adding too many spices in one dish, but in butter chicken inspite of so many spices the flavors are well synchronized, and the end result is very balanced. Make sure to cook it on a lazy day, as you might have to take a nap after eating it.

If you like something with vegetables and a bit healthier, try this recipe for Spinach Chicken.

Next, we will share a recipe for Jeera rice which is the most common dish that goes really well with Butter chicken. In the meantime, read about the fun facts of Indian and Bulgarian winters.