Creamy Butter Chicken – Indian Style
Summary
- This video demonstrates how to make a rich and creamy butter chicken, a classic North Indian dish. It features tender chicken marinated in yogurt and spices, then cooked in a luscious tomato-based gravy with butter and cream, resulting in a flavorful and satisfying meal.
All Ingredients - For the Marinade
- Diced Chicken 1.5 lbs
- Minced Garlic 1 tbsp
- Minced Ginger 1 tbsp
- Garam Masala 1 tsp
- Turmeric 1 tsp
- Chili Powder 1 tbsp
- Cumin 1 tsp
- Salt 1/2 tsp
- Black Pepper 1/2 tsp
- Yogurt 1/4 cup
- Lemon Juice 1 tbsp
All Ingredients - For the Gravy
- Cooking Oil 1 tbsp
- Butter 2 tbsp
- Diced Onion 1 medium
- Diced Peppers (Chili) 2 small
- Minced Garlic 1 tbsp
- Garam Masala 1 tsp
- Cumin 1 tsp
- Chili Powder 1 tbsp
- Salt 1/2 tsp
- Black Pepper 1/2 tsp
- Red Chili Flakes 1 tsp
- Diced Tomatoes 1 (14.5 oz) can
- Heavy Cream 1/2 cup
Tools You'll Need
- Skillet
- Pan
- Immersion blender
- Blender
- Mixing bowl
- Bowl
- Strainer
- Spatula
Plan Ahead
Up to 30 min of hands-off time you can shift to earlier.
- Step 1 · Refrigerate30 min
…coated. Let it marinate for at least 30 minutes, or preferably longer in the refrigerator.
Don't have an ingredient? Try these swaps
No Garlic (fresh)?
- 1/4 tsp garlic powder (per clove)
- 1/2 tsp garlic granules (per clove)
No Garam masala?
- 1 tsp cumin + 1/2 tsp coriander + 1/4 tsp cinnamon + 1/4 tsp cardamom
No Yogurt?
- Sour cream (1:1)
- Buttermilk (1:1, slightly thinner result)
No Lemon juice?
- Lime juice (1:1)
- 1/2 the amount white vinegar — In dressings, savory dishes.
No Butter?
- 3/4 the amount of olive oil (for cooking, not baking)
- Equal parts ghee — Slightly nuttier flavor.
- Equal parts coconut oil (in baking)
No Onion?
- 1 tbsp onion powder (per medium onion)
- 3 tbsp dried minced onion
- Shallots or leeks (1:1)
No Heavy cream?
- 3/4 cup whole milk + 1/4 cup melted butter — Good for sauces, not whipping.
- Equal parts evaporated milk
- Full-fat coconut milk (1:1) — Adds mild coconut flavor.
⚠ Contains Allergens
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Marinate the Chicken
In a large bowl, combine the chicken with garlic, ginger, garam masala, turmeric, chili powder, cumin, salt, black pepper, yogurt, and lemon juice. Mix thoroughly until the chicken is evenly coated. Let it for at least , or preferably longer in the refrigerator.
Step 2: Cook the Marinated Chicken
Heat cooking oil in a large skillet or pan over medium-high heat. Add the chicken to the hot pan and cook, stirring occasionally, until the chicken is browned and mostly cooked through, about . Once cooked, remove the chicken from the pan and set aside, reserving any juices in the pan.
Step 3: Sauté Aromatics and Spices
Add butter to the same pan with the reserved juices. Once melted, add the onion and chili peppers. for until softened. Then, add the garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant. Stir in garam masala, cumin, chili powder, salt, black pepper, and red chili flakes. Cook for , stirring constantly, until the spices are fragrant.
Step 4: Add Tomatoes and Simmer
Pour in the tomatoes (undrained) into the pan with the aromatics and spices. Bring the mixture to a and cook for , stirring occasionally, until the tomatoes break down and the sauce thickens slightly.
Step 5: Blend the Gravy
Carefully transfer the tomato mixture from the pan into a heat-safe bowl. Using an immersion blender, process the mixture until it is completely smooth. Alternatively, transfer to a regular blender and blend until smooth, then return to the pan.
Step 6: Strain the Gravy
Place a fine-mesh sieve over the skillet. Pour the blended gravy through the sieve, pressing down on any solids with a spoon or spatula to extract all the liquid, discarding the remaining pulp. This step ensures a silky smooth gravy.
Step 7: Finish with Cream and Chicken
Return the strained gravy to the stove over medium heat. Stir in the heavy cream until well combined and the sauce is creamy. Add the reserved cooked chicken pieces back into the gravy. for another to heat the chicken through and allow the flavors to meld. Garnish with a swirl of cream, fresh cilantro, and red chili flakes if desired.
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