Step-by-step recipe for the best Butter Chicken aka Murgh Makhani made in your own kitchen! The creamy butter sauce is bursting with flavor thanks to all of the spices.
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Why you will love this recipe
If you never had Butter Chicken before, it is time to change that. This easy dish is creamy, saucy, and rich in flavor. In only 3 steps, you can make it at home. Marinating the chicken in yogurt, lemon juice and spices infuses it with flavor and allows you to prep ahead of time. You will need a few spices that are characteristic of Indian cooking: garam masala, turmeric, and coriander. Cumin and chili powder further enhances the sauce and adds a little bit of heat.
Ingredients:
- chicken: boneless skinless chicken thighs or breast
- yogurt and lemon juice: tenderizes the meat
- tomato sauce: adds flavor to the sauce
- heavy cream: creates creamy sauce (substitute with evaporated milk or a mixture of half and half and cornstarch)
- aromatics: onion, garlic, and ginger that create the base flavor for the sauce
- spices: garam masala, cumin, turmeric, coriander
How to make Butter Chicken?
- Prepare the marinade for the chicken by mixing it with yogurt, lemon juice, and spices.
- Cover and chill for at least 4 hours, better overnight.
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- Heat up oil and butter in a pan.
- Add onion, garlic, and ginger. Saute until onion is translucent.
- Add chicken and cook until done.
- Add tomato sauce to chicken and stir well.
- Add heavy cream or half and half and cornstarch mixture. Stir in.
- Add two tablespoons of butter, let melt, and stir in.
- Serve with rice and flatbread.
Recipe FAQs
Yes! You can use chicken thighs or breasts. I recommend thighs because they are juicier and have more flavor. Cut the chicken into bite-size pieces before mixing with marinade.
The name of this Indian dish refers to the rich tomato and butter gravy, called makhani. The addition of cream makes it ultra-creamy and smooth.
This dish is packed with spices commonly used in Indian cuisine. It is not spicy heat-wise but spiced and fragrant. Delicious!
Extra tip!
I add two tablespoons of butter to the finished sauce, let it melt, and stir in. It makes the sauce extra rich!
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Butter Chicken
Ingredients
for the marinade:
- 1 ½ lbs boneless skinless chicken thighs or breasts
- ½ cup plain yogurt
- 2 teaspoons lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon garam masala
- ¾ teaspoon turmeric
- 1 teaspoon ground coriander
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- ¼ teaspoon chili powder
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon salt
for the sauce:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1 small yellow onion chopped
- 2 garlic cloves minced
- 1 teaspoon grated ginger
- 8 oz can tomato sauce
- ½ cup heavy cream See note
- 2 tablespoons butter
Instructions
- Cut the chicken into bite-size pieces. Place in a mixing bowl.
- Add yogurt and spices. Stir in well.
- Cover the bowl and refrigerate the chicken for at least 4 hours, better overnight.
- Heat up oil and one tablespoon of butter in large skillet.
- Remove chicken from the fridge.
- Add onion and cook for 2 to 3 minutes or until almost translucent.
- Add ginger and garlic and saute for 2 minutes.
- Add chicken and cook until done.
- Add tomato sauce and stir in well. Bring to a simmer.
- Add heavy cream and stir in. Simmer for 2 minutes.
- Add two tablespoons of butter, let it melt, then stir in.
- Serve with rice and flatbread.
Notes
- If you don't have heavy cream, you can use evaporated milk or mix ½ cup half and half and 2 teaspoons of cornstarch.
- Please note, that the nutrition value can vary depending on what product you use. The information below is an estimate. Always use calorie counter you are familiar with.
Kathy says
Hi, can I add the marinade from the chicken to the recipe at some point, because I’m cooking it for a while?
Thanks, I love your recipes. You offer a lot of new recipe ideas!!
Blessing says
This looks good. I'm just wondering if the marinade won't make the chicken too tender?
Kimberly says
Butter chicken is one of my all-time favorite Indian dishes and this version looks so delicious!
Katie says
This looks incredible!! I can not wait to try this!
NatD says
A few years ago we ate at an Indian restaurant for Valentine's day. I was searching for a good recipe today and I am so glad I got this recipe. So easy to follow!