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Butter Chicken

Butter Chicken

A delicious Butter Chicken recipe featuring marinated chicken in a creamy tomato sauce, perfect for serving over rice.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Marinating Time 3 hours
Total Time 3 hours 30 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine Indian
Servings 4 servings
Calories 402 kcal

Equipment

  • Fry Pan
  • Food Processor

Ingredients
  

Marinade

  • 0.5 cup plain yoghurt full fat
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon tumeric powder
  • 2 teaspoon garam masala Note 1
  • 0.5 teaspoon chilli powder or cayenne pepper powder Note 2
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 tablespoon ginger freshly grated
  • 2 cloves garlic crushed
  • 1.5 lb chicken thigh fillets cut into bite size pieces

Curry

  • 2 tablespoon ghee or butter OR 1 tablespoon vegetable oil (Note 3)
  • 1 cup tomato passata aka tomato puree (Note 4)
  • 1 cup heavy or thickened cream (Note 5)
  • 1 tablespoon sugar
  • 1.25 teaspoon salt

To serve – choose

  • Basmati rice
  • White rice
  • Coriander/cilantro optional

Instructions
 

Preparation

  • Optional blitz: for an extra smooth sauce, combine the Marinade ingredients (except the chicken) in a food processor and blend until smooth.
  • Marinade: Combine the Marinade ingredients with the chicken in a bowl. Cover and refrigerate overnight, or up to 24 hours (minimum 3 hrs).
  • Cook chicken: Heat the ghee (butter or oil) over high heat in a large fry pan. Remove the chicken from the Marinade but do not wipe or shake off the marinade from the chicken.
  • Place chicken in the fry pan and cook for around 3 minutes, or until the chicken is white all over.
  • Sauce: Add the tomato passata, cream, sugar, and salt, along with any remaining marinade. Turn down to low and simmer for 20 minutes. Taste test for seasoning.
  • Garnish with coriander/cilantro leaves if using. Serve with basmati rice.

Notes

For a lighter version, use ¾ cup light cream + ¼ cup milk. Note 1: Garam Masala is a spice mix available in supermarkets. Note 2: Use pure chili powder for authenticity. Note 3: Ghee can be substituted with butter or neutral oil. Note 4: Tomato passata is pureed tinned tomatoes. Note 5: For a lighter cream, options are provided.

Nutrition

Serving: 310gCalories: 402kcalCarbohydrates: 9.8gProtein: 39.8gFat: 23.4gSaturated Fat: 9.3gCholesterol: 193mgSodium: 928mgFiber: 0.9gSugar: 6.5g
Keyword butter chicken, chicken, comfort food, curry, Indian cuisine
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