Authentic Indian Butter Chicken: A Rich and Creamy Classic

Indian Butter Chicken Recipe: A Family Favorite

Description

This Indian Butter Chicken recipe holds a special place in our hearts—it was inspired by my youngest son’s delightful experience at a friend’s house, where they enjoyed a delectable Indian take-away. After tasting it, my son insisted that this dish tasted just like the one he had, making it an instant favorite in our household. Created in the 1950s at the famed Moti Mahal restaurant in Delhi, butter chicken has become a beloved classic, known for its rich and creamy texture that perfectly balances spices with a hint of sweetness. 🍗✨

Ingredients

• 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 50 grams garam masala
• 2 teaspoons sweet paprika
• 2 teaspoons ground coriander
• 1 teaspoon ground green ginger
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 4 cardamom pods
• 1 cup tomato puree
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 1 cup plain yogurt
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil (for frying)

Instructions

1. Prepare Your Wok: Begin by heating a wok until it becomes really hot. Add 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil to the wok, allowing it to heat up and shimmer slightly.

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2. Cook the Chicken: Add half of the chicken pieces to the hot oil. Stir-fry the chicken for approximately 4 minutes or until it acquires a beautiful golden-brown color. Remove the chicken from the wok and transfer it to a plate.

3. Cook Remaining Chicken: Add a little more oil to the wok if needed, and repeat the process with the remaining chicken. Once cooked, remove this batch from the wok and set it aside with the previously cooked chicken.

4. Sauté the Spices: Reduce the heat to medium. Add 1 tablespoon of butter to the wok. Allow it to melt, then add all of the spices: garam masala, sweet paprika, ground coriander, ground green ginger, chili powder, along with the cinnamon stick and cardamom pods. Stir-fry the spices until they become fragrant, which should take about 1 minute.

5. Combine Chicken and Spices: Return the cooked chicken to the wok and stir well to coat the pieces with the aromatic spice mixture.

6. Add Tomato and Simmer: Pour in the tomato puree and 1 tablespoon of sugar. Stir the mixture and let it simmer for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. This will allow the flavors to meld and the sauce to thicken.

7. Incorporate Creaminess: Add the plain yogurt, 1 tablespoon of lemon juice, and 1/2 cup of cream (if using). Stir well to combine. Allow the sauce to simmer for an additional 5 minutes or until it thickens to your desired consistency.

8. Serve: Serve your delicious butter chicken over freshly cooked rice, making sure to ladle plenty of sauce over the top.

Freezing Instructions

If you wish to store the butter chicken for later, follow these steps:

1. Cool Completely: After completing step 7, let the butter chicken cool completely.
2. Freeze: Transfer the cooled butter chicken to a zip-lock bag or airtight container and freeze.
3. Reheat: To reheat, thaw the bag in the refrigerator overnight. Then, pour the contents into a saucepan and reheat gently over medium heat. Allow it to simmer for about 8 minutes. Add the plain yogurt, cream, and lemon juice during the last 5 minutes of reheating.

This Indian Butter Chicken is not only a comforting meal but also a versatile dish that can be enjoyed fresh or as a make-ahead option for busy days. Bon appétit! 🌟🍛