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Delicious Butter Chicken served with naan and rice

Butter Chicken

Aromatic butter chicken featuring tender chicken in a creamy sauce, perfect for family dinners or gatherings.
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: Indian
Calories: 700

Ingredients
  

For the 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
  • 1.5 teaspoons curry powder (divided)
  • 1 tablespoon plain Greek yogurt
For Cooking
  • 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
  • 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
  • 2 cups heavy cream (or 1 can coconut milk for dairy-free)
  • 0.5 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
  • 1 teaspoon garam masala
  • 0.25 cup freshly chopped parsley (optional)
For Serving

Method
 

Marinating the Chicken
  1. In a bowl, combine chicken, 1 teaspoon salt, garlic powder, sweet paprika, ½ teaspoon curry powder, and Greek yogurt. Mix until coated and let it rest for 10 to 15 minutes.
Cooking the Chicken
  1. Heat 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken in a single layer and brown for 2 to 3 minutes per side. Remove and set aside.
Preparing the Sauce Base
  1. Reduce heat to medium. Add the remaining oil and 1 tablespoon of butter to the skillet. Sauté the diced onion until soft, about 5 minutes. Then add the minced garlic and cook for an additional 30 seconds.
Building the Sauce
  1. Pour in the tomato sauce, stir in the sugar, 1 teaspoon salt, and black pepper. Add the remaining ½ teaspoon of curry powder and let it simmer gently.
Seasoning and Simmering
  1. Return the browned chicken to the skillet, pour in the heavy cream, and stir gently. If you want a kick, add cayenne pepper at this stage and let everything simmer on low for 8 to 12 minutes.
Finishing Touch
  1. Stir in the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter and garam masala for a glossy finish. Taste and adjust the seasoning if needed.
Serving
  1. Spoon butter chicken over steamed rice or serve it with warm naan. Enjoy!

Nutrition

Serving: 1Calories: 700kcalCarbohydrates: 24gProtein: 28gFat: 52gSaturated Fat: 30gSodium: 922mgFiber: 1gSugar: 7g

Notes

For a lighter dish, substitute heavy cream with coconut milk. Customize the spice levels to suit preferences, particularly with cayenne pepper.

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