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Indian Butter Chicken

Indian Butter Chicken

This easy Indian butter chicken recipe makes Indian food a synch! A creamy tomato sauce similar to chicken tikka masala.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine Indian
Servings 4 servings
Calories 500 kcal

Equipment

  • large skillet

Ingredients
  

Butter and Chicken

  • 6 tablespoons butter divided
  • 2 lbs boneless/skinless chicken thighs cut into 1" chunks

Vegetables and Spices

  • 1 medium yellow onion diced
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 tablespoon garam masala
  • 1 tablespoon fresh grated ginger
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper

Sauce and Garnishes

  • 1 ½ cups tomato sauce or one 14 oz can would work
  • 2 cups cream heavy cream preferred
  • salt & pepper to taste
  • lime for garnish
  • cilantro for garnish
  • naan for serving
  • rice for serving

Instructions
 

Cooking Steps

  • Using 2 tablespoon of butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat, brown the pieces of the chicken so each side is browned. They do not need to be fully cooked all the way through. Work in batches, and set aside when you're done.
  • Melt another 2 tablespoon of butter in the pan over medium heat. Add the onion, and cook until beginning to soften — about three minutes. Add the garlic, garam masala, ginger, chili powder, cumin, and cayenne. Stir to combine, and cook for about 45 seconds before adding the tomato sauce.
  • Bring the mixture to a simmer and let cook for five minutes before adding the cream. Bring the mixture back to a simmer, add the browned chicken, and let simmer for 10-15 minutes. Keep the heat low — not a rolling boil.
  • Stir in the remaining 2 tablespoon of butter, and season with salt and pepper, to taste.
  • Serve garnished with lime and cilantro, alongside rice and naan.

Notes

I used 1 cup heavy cream, and 1 cup water. You could use table cream or sub 1 cup for milk (but be careful for curdling if you lessen the fat content!). Also, this tomato sauce is not ketchup, similar to passata outside the USA.

Nutrition

Serving: 1servingsCalories: 500kcalCarbohydrates: 30gProtein: 25gFat: 35gSaturated Fat: 20gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 10gCholesterol: 100mgSodium: 800mgPotassium: 800mgFiber: 2gSugar: 5gVitamin A: 900IUVitamin C: 5mgCalcium: 100mgIron: 2mg
Keyword Butter Chicken, chicken recipe, Dinner Recipe, Easy Recipe, Indian Butter Chicken, Indian food
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