Restaurant Style Butter Chicken: A Creamy, Aromatic Indian Delight
1 hour 45 minutes
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About Restaurant Style Butter Chicken: A Creamy, Aromatic Indian Delight
Experience the rich flavors of authentic Indian Butter Chicken, a dish loved in restaurants from humble Dhabas to five-star hotels. This recipe recreates the creamy, buttery tomato gravy and perfectly char-grilled chicken, bringing the taste of India to your kitchen.Tender chicken pieces are marinated in a blend of aromatic spices and yogurt, then expertly grilled to perfection. The rich gravy, simmered with onions, tomatoes, and a secret blend of freshly ground spices, is the heart of this dish. Get ready to impress your family and friends with this restaurant-worthy masterpiece!This recipe provides clear instructions and helpful tips to ensure your Butter Chicken turns out flawlessly. It's easier to make than you might think, and the results are undeniably delicious.
Recipe Time & More
Prep1 hour
Cook45 minutes
Total1 hour 45 minutes
Ingredients
For the Chicken Marinade:
- 500 gm Chicken boneless, cut into 1-inch pieces, skinless chicken thighs or breasts
- 1 cup Yogurt
- 1 tbsp Ginger-Garlic Paste
- 1 tbsp Lime Juice freshly squeezed
- 1 tsp Chili Powder adjust to your spice preference, red
- 1 tsp Garam Masala store-bought or homemade
- 1 tsp Salt to taste
For the Spice Blend:
- 10 Peppercorns black peppercorns
- 4 Cardamom Pods green cardamom, lightly crushed
- 6 Cloves
- 1 stick Cinnamon
- 2 Bay Leaves
- 10 Almonds blanched, skins removed
For the Gravy:
- 1 Onion large, finely chopped
- 1/2 cup Tomato Puree
- 1/2 tsp Cumin Seeds
- 1 tsp Coriander Powder
- 1 tbsp Fenugreek Leaf dried, dried fenugreek leaves
- 2 tbsp Butter
- 2 tbsp Vegetable Oil or ghee
- 1 cup Water or as needed to adjust gravy consistency
- 2 tbsp Heavy Cream for extra richness, optional
- Salt to taste
Instructions
Marinate the Chicken
- Marinate the chicken pieces with yogurt, ginger-garlic paste, lime juice, red chili powder, garam masala, and salt. Let it marinate for at least 30 minutes, or preferably longer in the refrigerator.
Prepare the Spice Blend
- Roast the peppercorns, cardamom pods, cloves, cinnamon stick, bay leaves, and almonds in a dry pan over medium heat until fragrant. Grind the roasted spices and almonds into a fine powder using a spice grinder or mortar and pestle.
Grill the Chicken
- Heat a grill pan or skillet over medium-high heat. Add a little oil or butter. Grill the marinated chicken pieces until nicely charred on both sides and cooked through.
Make the Gravy
- Heat butter and oil in a large pan or pot over medium heat. Add the chopped onions and sauté until golden brown. Add cumin seeds and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Add the ground spice blend and coriander powder. Sauté for another minute until fragrant. Stir in tomato puree and cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Add the grilled chicken to the pan and stir in the remaining marinade. Simmer for 10-15 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld. Add water to achieve your desired gravy consistency. Stir in the kasuri methi.
Finish and Serve
- Stir in heavy cream (if using) and simmer for another 2-3 minutes. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed. Garnish with a dollop of butter before serving hot with naan bread or rice.
Recipe Notes
Expert Tips for Perfect Butter Chicken:
- For a deeper smoky flavor, use charcoal to grill the chicken.
- Don't overcrowd the pan when grilling the chicken; work in batches to ensure even charring.
- For a smoother gravy, blend the cooked sauce with an immersion blender before adding the cream.
- If your gravy is too thick, add a little more water or cream. If it's too thin, simmer it uncovered for a few minutes to reduce.
Recipe Nutrition
Calories: 382kcalCarbohydrates: 20gProtein: 27gFat: 22gSaturated Fat: 6gPolyunsaturated Fat: 5gMonounsaturated Fat: 10gTrans Fat: 0.1gCholesterol: 93mgSodium: 137mgPotassium: 778mgFiber: 6gSugar: 7gVitamin A: 845IUVitamin C: 16mgCalcium: 131mgIron: 4mg
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Such a tasty dish! Thanks for the recipe.
Such an enticing dish! Thanks for the recipe.
What a delicious recipe! Thanks for posting.