Butter Chicken
The ultimate comfort food, Butter Chicken features tender chicken pieces in a rich, creamy, and spiced tomato sauce. This easy weeknight dinner will satisfy your cravings and impress your guests. Make it tonight!
Equipment
- Wooden Spoon
- Grater
- Mixing Bowl
- Frying Pan
- Skillet
- Chef's Knife
- Saucepan
- Cutting Board
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon Vegetable oil
- 2 tablespoons Butter Divided
- 2 pounds Chicken breasts Skinless, boneless, diced into bite-size pieces
- 5 cloves Garlic Minced
- 2 inches Fresh ginger Grated
- 1 teaspoon Ground cumin
- 2 teaspoons Garam masala
- ½ teaspoon Chili powder Optional
- 1 teaspoon Smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon Ground turmeric
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- 15 ounces Tomato sauce Or passata
- ½ cup Heavy cream
- 2 tablespoons Fresh parsley For garnish
- Cooked rice For serving
- Naan bread For serving
Instructions
- In a frying pan, heat vegetable oil over medium heat. Once hot, add 1 tablespoon of butter and let it melt. Add the diced chicken breasts carefully and allow them to brown, which should take about six to eight minutes. Once browned, move the chicken to one side of the pan. Add the remaining butter to the empty side and let it melt.
- Next, introduce the minced garlic and grated ginger into the pan. Stir them around for about a minute until they become fragrant. This step is crucial for building layers of flavor in your dish.
- Now, sprinkle in all your spices: ground cumin, garam masala, chili powder (if using), smoked paprika, ground turmeric, and salt. Mix everything together well and let it cook for another minute to toast the spices slightly.
- After toasting, pour in the tomato sauce or passata. Stir the mixture to combine all ingredients thoroughly. This will create a beautiful, cohesive sauce that envelops the chicken.
- Cover the pan with a lid and let it simmer on medium heat for about five to ten minutes. This allows the chicken to cook through and the flavors to meld beautifully. You’ll notice the sauce thickening and becoming richer during this time.
- Once the chicken is cooked through, carefully remove the lid. Stir in the heavy cream, watching as the sauce transforms into a creamy delight. Allow it to reduce a little, enhancing its luxurious texture.
- Finally, serve your Butter Chicken warm over cooked rice. Garnish with freshly chopped parsley, mint, or cilantro to add a pop of color and freshness. Enjoy the fruits of your labor!
Notes
- Tip 1: Deglaze the pan or pot after browning the chicken with ¼ cup of water or stock if needed.
- Tip 2: Skinless boneless chicken thighs also work great in this recipe.
- Tip 3: The Passata sauce can be substituted with tomato sauce or a can of plain tomatoes that are blended and sieved.
- Tip 4: If the Butter Chicken seems bland, adjust the seasoning by adding a little bit of salt.
- Tip 5: If you store the leftovers in the fridge, the sauce will thicken up. Reheat in the microwave with a splash of water and mix.