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butter chicken

Butter Chicken

Authentic tasting recipe with chicken simmered in a creamy smooth sauce with coconut milk, with easy to find ingredients
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Marinating 30 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 15 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine Indian
Servings 4
Calories 484 kcal

Ingredients
  

Marinade

  • 1 ½ lb boneless, skinless chicken about 6 thighs
  • ¼ cup full fat yogurt
  • 1 clove garlic, finely minced
  • 1 piece fresh ginger, size of thumb, finely minced
  • 2 Tbsp lemon juice about half a lemon
  • 1 ½ tsp garam masala
  • salt and pepper

Butter Chicken Sauce

  • 2 Tbsp butter - divided or Ghee save 1 Tbsp for the end
  • 1 small onion, diced
  • 1 tsp garam masala
  • 1 tsp paprika
  • 1 ½ tsp cumin
  • ¼ tsp cayenne pepper optional, if desired
  • ½ tsp turmeric
  • 1 Tbsp brown sugar
  • ⅓ cup full fat yogurt
  • ⅔ cup coconut milk the small can, about 160 ml
  • 1 cup smooth tomato sauce such as Passata
  • handful fresh cilantro for garnish if desired for garnish

Instructions
 

  • Chop chicken into bite sized pieces. Add all marinade ingredients and combine well. Marinate at least 30 minutes, up to over night in refrigerator.
  • In large skillet, heat 1 Tbsp butter or ghee and sauté diced onion over medium-low heat until golden and soft.
  • Add spices and sauté about a minute or two to release flavours and fragrance.
  • Turn heat to medium and add chicken, including marinating liquid. Cook chicken, stirring, until pieces are cooked on the outside.
  • Stir in yogurt, coconut milk, sugar and tomato sauce. Lower heat and simmer at least 20 minutes until chicken is cooked through and sauce is thickened slightly.
  • Right before serving, whisk in the reserved 1 Tbsp of butter or ghee.
  • Serve over warm Basmati or Jasmine rice. Garnish if desired with fresh chopped cilantro and serve with warm naan bread.

Notes

Using reduced fat dairy can cause separation of sauce. Look for full fat yogurt and avoid "lite" coconut milk.
Stirring the extra butter or ghee in at the end will help incorporate the sauce if separation has occurred.

Nutrition

Calories: 484kcalCarbohydrates: 14gProtein: 38.8gFat: 29.2gSaturated Fat: 15gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.3gMonounsaturated Fat: 1.8gCholesterol: 157.8mgSodium: 763.3mgPotassium: 264.8mgFiber: 2.8gSugar: 8.4g
Keyword authentic butter chicken recipe, butter chicken, butter chicken coconut milk, butter chicken with yogurt, how to make butter chicken, Makhan murg
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