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Butter Chicken

A rich and creamy Indian dish featuring marinated chicken cooked in spiced tomato gravy, perfect for busy weeknights.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: Indian
Calories: 550

Ingredients
  

Chicken Marinade
  • 1.5 pounds skinless boneless chicken thighs, cut into bite-sized chunks
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon sweet paprika
  • 0.5 teaspoon curry powder
  • 1 tablespoon Greek yogurt
Cooking Ingredients
  • 3 tablespoons vegetable oil
  • 3 tablespoons butter, divided
  • 6 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 medium onion, diced
  • 1 15-ounce can tomato sauce
  • 1 teaspoon sugar
  • 1 teaspoon salt adjust to taste
  • 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
  • 2 cups heavy cream
  • 0.5 teaspoon cayenne pepper optional for heat
  • 1 teaspoon garam masala
  • 0.5 teaspoon curry powder
  • 0.25 cup freshly chopped parsley optional, for garnish
Serving Suggestions
  • Naan bread
  • Steamed rice

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Mix the chicken with salt, garlic powder, paprika, curry powder, and Greek yogurt in a bowl. Cover and refrigerate for at least 15 minutes.
Cooking
  1. Heat vegetable oil and 1 tablespoon of butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add minced garlic and diced onion, cooking until fragrant and softened.
  2. Stir in tomato sauce, sugar, salt, black pepper, heavy cream, cayenne pepper (if using), garam masala, and additional curry powder. Let simmer for a few minutes.
  3. In a separate pan, cook the marinated chicken until browned and cooked through.
  4. Once chicken is ready, add it to the sauce and stir in the remaining butter, simmering for another few minutes.
  5. Garnish with freshly chopped parsley before serving. Enjoy hot with naan and steamed rice.

Notes

Marinate chicken for a couple of hours or overnight for deeper flavor. Adjust spice levels to preference. Can use paneer or chickpeas for a vegetarian option. Use coconut milk instead of heavy cream for a lighter dish.