Butter Chicken

Total Time Prep: 20 mins. Cook: 30 mins.
Yield 6 servings
Test Kitchen Approved
Learn how to make butter chicken, a popular Indian dish with a buttery tomato sauce that's packed with garam masala, turmeric and ground cumin.

Ingredients

  • CHICKEN:
  • 1/2 cup plain yogurt
  • 1-1/2 tablespoons minced garlic
  • 1 tablespoon minced fresh gingerroot
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • 2 teaspoons garam masala
  • 1 teaspoon ground turmeric
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 2 pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs, cut into 1-in. pieces
  • SAUCE:
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons ghee
  • 1 medium onion, finely chopped
  • 1-1/2 tablespoons minced garlic
  • 1 tablespoon minced fresh gingerroot
  • 1-1/2 teaspoons ground cumin
  • 1-1/2 teaspoons garam masala
  • 1 teaspoon ground coriander
  • 1 can (14-1/2 ounces) crushed tomatoes
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder
  • 1-1/4 teaspoons salt
  • 1 cup heavy whipping cream
  • 1 tablespoon sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground fenugreek, optional
  • Hot cooked basmati rice, fresh cilantro and naan, for serving

Directions

  1. In a large bowl, mix together yogurt, garlic, ginger, lemon, spices and salt until well-combined. Add chicken; stir well to coat. Cover; refrigerate at least 30 minutes.
  2. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add chicken; sear 2-3 minutes on each side. Transfer chicken to a plate; set aside.
  3. Heat ghee in same skillet over medium heat. Add onion; cook 3-4 minutes, scraping up brown bits from the pan as it cooks. Add garlic and ginger; cook 1 minute. Add cumin, garam masala, coriander; cook another minute. Add tomatoes, chili powder and salt; simmer 10-15 minutes over medium-low heat until sauce thickens and has a deep red color.
  4. Add chicken back to skillet; also add cream, sugar and fenugreek, if desired. Stir mixture to combine; simmer 8-10 minutes or until chicken is cooked through. If sauce is too thick, add a few tablespoons water.
  5. Serve butter chicken with hot cooked basmati rice, cilantro and naan.

Nutrition Facts

1 serving: 497 calories, 35g fat (16g saturated fat), 159mg cholesterol, 1146mg sodium, 14g carbohydrate (8g sugars, 3g fiber), 32g protein.

This is my version of butter chicken, a classic curry dish beloved around the world. The yogurt marinade tenderizes the chicken and imparts flavor, but the star of the show is the aromatic, creamy tomato gravy. Dried fenugreek is optional, but if you can find it, it adds a special nuance to this famous dish. Warm naan bread on the side is perfect for mopping up all of the luxurious sauce. —April Preisler, Auburn, California
Recipe Creator

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