Creamy Butter Chicken 🍗🌟
Butter chicken, also known as "murgh makhani," is a rich and velvety dish with mildly spiced tomato-based gravy. It's perfect for a special family meal and pairs beautifully with basmati rice or naan bread.
Ingredients
For the Chicken Marinade:
🐓 Chicken thighs: 600g, boneless, cut into chunks
🧈 Yoghurt: 100g (plain, unsweetened)
🧄 Garlic: 2 cloves, minced
🧂 Ginger: 1 tbsp, freshly grated
🌶️ Chilli powder: 1 tsp (adjust to taste)
🌿 Ground cumin: 1 tsp
🌿 Ground coriander: 1 tsp
🧂 Salt: To taste
For the Sauce:
🧈 Butter: 50g
🧅 Onion: 1 large, finely chopped
🧄 Garlic: 3 cloves, minced
🧂 Ginger: 1 tbsp, freshly grated
🍅 Chopped tomatoes: 400g tin
🌶️ Garam masala: 1 tsp
🌶️ Turmeric: 1/2 tsp
🥛 Double cream: 150ml
🌿 Fresh coriander: Chopped, for garnish
🧂 Salt: To taste
Method
🐓 Marinate the chicken: In a large bowl, combine yoghurt, garlic, ginger, chilli powder, cumin, coriander, and salt. Add the chicken pieces and mix well. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or overnight for the best flavour.
🍳 Cook the chicken: Heat a frying pan over medium heat. Add a splash of oil and cook the marinated chicken for 4–5 minutes on each side until lightly charred but not fully cooked. Remove and set aside.
🧈 Prepare the sauce: In the same pan, melt the butter. Add the onions and cook for 8–10 minutes until softened and golden. Stir in garlic, ginger, garam masala, and turmeric. Cook for another 1–2 minutes.
🍅 Blend the base: Add the chopped tomatoes to the pan and simmer for 10 minutes. Blend the mixture into a smooth sauce using a stick blender or food processor.
🐓 Combine chicken and sauce: Return the sauce to the pan and add the chicken. Simmer gently for 15–20 minutes, until the chicken is tender and cooked through.
🥛 Add cream: Stir in the double cream and cook for 2–3 minutes. Adjust seasoning with salt as needed.
🌿 Garnish: Sprinkle with fresh coriander before serving.
Serving Information
⏱ Prep Time: 15 minutes (plus marinating) | 🔥 Cooking Time: 40 minutes | 🍴 Servings: 4 | 🌟 Calories: ~400 per serving
Serve with steamed basmati rice, naan, or chapati for an indulgent, flavour-packed meal! 🥖🌿