Butter Chicken Recipe (Indian Chicken Makhani)

Directions

  1. 1Marinate chicken with lemon juice, chili powder, and salt; rest for 20 minutes. Add yogurt, kasuri methi, oil, turmeric, ginger-garlic paste, coriander powder, cumin powder, and garam masala; marinate for at least 30 minutes, or overnight.
  2. 2Marinate chicken with lemon juice, chili powder, and salt; rest for 20 minutes. Add yogurt, kasuri methi, oil, turmeric, ginger-garlic paste, coriander powder, cumin powder, and garam masala; marinate for at least 30 minutes, or overnight.
  3. 3Marinate chicken with lemon juice, chili powder, and salt; rest for 20 minutes. Add yogurt, kasuri methi, oil, turmeric, ginger-garlic paste, coriander powder, cumin powder, and garam masala; marinate for at least 30 minutes, or overnight.
  4. 4Sauté onions (optional) until golden; cool.
  5. 5Sauté onions (optional) until golden; cool.
  6. 6Sauté onions (optional) until golden; cool.
  7. 7Blend tomatoes, sautéed onions, cashews, and water into a smooth puree.
  8. 8Blend tomatoes, sautéed onions, cashews, and water into a smooth puree.
  9. 9Blend tomatoes, sautéed onions, cashews, and water into a smooth puree.
  10. 10Melt butter, add whole spices, then ginger-garlic paste and chilies; fry until fragrant.
  11. 11Melt butter, add whole spices, then ginger-garlic paste and chilies; fry until fragrant.
  12. 12Melt butter, add whole spices, then ginger-garlic paste and chilies; fry until fragrant.
  13. 13Stir in red chili powder, garam masala, cumin, and coriander powder.
  14. 14Stir in red chili powder, garam masala, cumin, and coriander powder.
  15. 15Stir in red chili powder, garam masala, cumin, and coriander powder.
  16. 16Stir in tomato-cashew puree; bring to a boil, then simmer until thickened.
  17. 17Stir in tomato-cashew puree; bring to a boil, then simmer until thickened.
  18. 18Stir in tomato-cashew puree; bring to a boil, then simmer until thickened.
  19. 19Pour hot water and simmer until sauce thickens.
  20. 20Pour hot water and simmer until sauce thickens.
  21. 21Pour hot water and simmer until sauce thickens.
  22. 22Grill or bake chicken until cooked.
  23. 23Grill or bake chicken until cooked.
  24. 24Grill or bake chicken until cooked.
  25. 25Add chicken to the gravy; simmer until tender.
  26. 26Add chicken to the gravy; simmer until tender.
  27. 27Add chicken to the gravy; simmer until tender.
  28. 28Stir in salt, sugar, kasuri methi; add more garam masala and butter if desired.
  29. 29Stir in salt, sugar, kasuri methi; add more garam masala and butter if desired.
  30. 30Stir in salt, sugar, kasuri methi; add more garam masala and butter if desired.
  31. 31Stir in heavy cream; garnish and serve with rice or naan bread.
  32. 32Stir in heavy cream; garnish and serve with rice or naan bread.
  33. 33Stir in heavy cream; garnish and serve with rice or naan bread.

Ingredients

  • 0.5 kg boneless chicken
  • 0.5 kg boneless chicken
  • 0.5 kg boneless chicken
  • 0.5 teaspoon Kashmiri red chili powder (or paprika, adjust to taste, reduce for kids)
  • 0.5 teaspoon Kashmiri red chili powder (or paprika, adjust to taste, reduce for kids)
  • 0.5 teaspoon Kashmiri red chili powder (or paprika, adjust to taste, reduce for kids)
  • 0.25 teaspoon salt (adjust to taste)
  • 0.25 teaspoon salt (adjust to taste)
  • 0.25 teaspoon salt (adjust to taste)
  • 0.75 tablespoon lemon juice
  • 0.75 tablespoon lemon juice
  • 0.75 tablespoon lemon juice
  • 0.33 cup Greek yogurt (hung curd/thick curd)
  • 0.33 cup Greek yogurt (hung curd/thick curd)
  • 0.33 cup Greek yogurt (hung curd/thick curd)
  • 0.75 tablespoon ginger garlic paste (or ½ tbsp fine grated ginger + ½ tbsp fine grated garlic)
  • 0.75 tablespoon ginger garlic paste (or ½ tbsp fine grated ginger + ½ tbsp fine grated garlic)
  • 0.75 tablespoon ginger garlic paste (or ½ tbsp fine grated ginger + ½ tbsp fine grated garlic)
  • 0.125 teaspoon turmeric (haldi, optional)
  • 0.125 teaspoon turmeric (haldi, optional)
  • 0.125 teaspoon turmeric (haldi, optional)
  • 0.75 teaspoon garam masala (adjust to taste)
  • 0.75 teaspoon garam masala (adjust to taste)
  • 0.75 teaspoon garam masala (adjust to taste)
  • 0.5 teaspoon cumin powder (optional)
  • 0.5 teaspoon cumin powder (optional)
  • 0.5 teaspoon cumin powder (optional)
  • 1 teaspoon coriander powder (optional)
  • 1 teaspoon coriander powder (optional)
  • 1 teaspoon coriander powder (optional)
  • 1 teaspoon kasuri methi (optional, dried fenugreek leaves)
  • 1 teaspoon kasuri methi (optional, dried fenugreek leaves)
  • 1 teaspoon kasuri methi (optional, dried fenugreek leaves)
  • 0.75 tablespoon oil
  • 0.75 tablespoon oil
  • 0.75 tablespoon oil
  • 2 tablespoons butter or ghee (divided)
  • 2 tablespoons butter or ghee (divided)
  • 2 tablespoons butter or ghee (divided)
  • 2 inch cinnamon piece (optional, for extra flavor)
  • 2 inch cinnamon piece (optional, for extra flavor)
  • 2 inch cinnamon piece (optional, for extra flavor)
  • 2 to 4 green cardamoms (optional, for added flavor)
  • 2 to 4 green cardamoms (optional, for added flavor)
  • 2 to 4 green cardamoms (optional, for added flavor)
  • 2 to 4 cloves (optional)
  • 2 to 4 cloves (optional)
  • 2 to 4 cloves (optional)
  • 1.5 cups onions sliced (optional, cuts down acidity from tomatoes)
  • 1.5 cups onions sliced (optional, cuts down acidity from tomatoes)
  • 1.5 cups onions sliced (optional, cuts down acidity from tomatoes)
  • 600 grams fresh tomatoes (or 1 cup passata/canned tomato puree or ⅓ cup double concentrate tomato paste)
  • 600 grams fresh tomatoes (or 1 cup passata/canned tomato puree or ⅓ cup double concentrate tomato paste)
  • 600 grams fresh tomatoes (or 1 cup passata/canned tomato puree or ⅓ cup double concentrate tomato paste)
  • 0.75 tablespoon ginger garlic paste (or ½ tbsp each fine grated ginger and garlic)
  • 0.75 tablespoon ginger garlic paste (or ½ tbsp each fine grated ginger and garlic)
  • 0.75 tablespoon ginger garlic paste (or ½ tbsp each fine grated ginger and garlic)
  • 1 to 2 green chilies (optional, deseed, slit or chop)
  • 1 to 2 green chilies (optional, deseed, slit or chop)
  • 1 to 2 green chilies (optional, deseed, slit or chop)
  • 28 whole raw cashews (soaked in hot water, sub with ¼ to ⅓ cup heavy cream)
  • 28 whole raw cashews (soaked in hot water, sub with ¼ to ⅓ cup heavy cream)
  • 28 whole raw cashews (soaked in hot water, sub with ¼ to ⅓ cup heavy cream)
  • 0.5 cup water to blend (more if required)
  • 0.5 cup water to blend (more if required)
  • 0.5 cup water to blend (more if required)
  • 1 to 2 teaspoons Kashmiri chili powder (reduce for kids, adjust to taste)
  • 1 to 2 teaspoons Kashmiri chili powder (reduce for kids, adjust to taste)
  • 1 to 2 teaspoons Kashmiri chili powder (reduce for kids, adjust to taste)
  • 1 to 1½ teaspoons garam masala (divided, adjust to taste)
  • 1 to 1½ teaspoons garam masala (divided, adjust to taste)
  • 1 to 1½ teaspoons garam masala (divided, adjust to taste)
  • 1 to 1½ teaspoons coriander powder (optional, adjust to taste)
  • 1 to 1½ teaspoons coriander powder (optional, adjust to taste)
  • 1 to 1½ teaspoons coriander powder (optional, adjust to taste)
  • 0.5 teaspoon cumin powder (optional, adjust to taste)
  • 0.5 teaspoon cumin powder (optional, adjust to taste)
  • 0.5 teaspoon cumin powder (optional, adjust to taste)
  • 0.5 to ¾ teaspoon salt (adjust to taste)
  • 0.5 to ¾ teaspoon salt (adjust to taste)
  • 0.5 to ¾ teaspoon salt (adjust to taste)
  • 1 teaspoon sugar (to balance the flavors)
  • 1 teaspoon sugar (to balance the flavors)
  • 1 teaspoon sugar (to balance the flavors)
  • 0.5 tablespoon Kasuri methi (dried fenugreek leaves)
  • 0.5 tablespoon Kasuri methi (dried fenugreek leaves)
  • 0.5 tablespoon Kasuri methi (dried fenugreek leaves)
  • 1.5 cups hot water to make gravy (cut down to 1 cup if omitting cashews)
  • 1.5 cups hot water to make gravy (cut down to 1 cup if omitting cashews)
  • 1.5 cups hot water to make gravy (cut down to 1 cup if omitting cashews)
  • 0.33 cup heavy cream or whipping cream (divided)
  • 0.33 cup heavy cream or whipping cream (divided)
  • 0.33 cup heavy cream or whipping cream (divided)
  • 2 tablespoons coriander leaves (fine chopped to garnish)
  • 2 tablespoons coriander leaves (fine chopped to garnish)
  • 2 tablespoons coriander leaves (fine chopped to garnish)

Equipment

blenderpangriddle/tawawooden skewers (optional)oven (optional)

Tips

  • Marination is key for flavorful, tender chicken.
  • Using onions helps balance the tomatoes' acidity.
  • Cashews (or almonds) and cream create the rich gravy.
  • Gravy can be made ahead and refrigerated; grill chicken when needed.
  • Adjust spice amounts to your preference; fresh tomatoes and spices impact color.
Butter Chicken Recipe (Indian Chicken Makhani) | Clip Recipe