How to Make Perfect Butter Chicken

Butter chicken is a beloved dish that has been captivating taste buds for decades. This rich and creamy curry is popular in many parts of the world and can be a delightful addition to your meal repertoire. The key to this recipe lies in achieving the perfect balance between savory spices, tender meat, and luscious sauce.

For those who are looking to prepare a hearty dinner for their family or friends, butter chicken is an excellent choice. The cooking time required for this dish is approximately 1 hour including preparation. This recipe serves four people generously.

Ingredients

• 2 pounds boneless chicken thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
• 3 tablespoons ghee or butter
• 1 large onion, finely chopped
• 4-5 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 inch ginger root, grated
• 1 teaspoon ground coriander
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder
• 1/2 teaspoon garam masala
• 1/2 teaspoon red chili powder (adjust to taste)
• 3 tablespoons tomato paste
• 1 cup heavy cream
• Salt, to taste
• Fresh cilantro for garnish (optional)
• Chopped green chilies or any other vegetables as desired (optional)

Instructions

To begin making butter chicken, start by marinating the chicken. In a large mixing bowl, combine all of your ingredients except the heavy cream and cilantro. Mix well until the pieces of meat are evenly coated with spices.

Once the marinade is ready, allow the chicken to sit for at least 1 hour in the refrigerator. This helps enhance flavor but can be marinated overnight if preferred. After the marination period ends, take out the chicken and set it aside while you prepare your sauce base.

Sauce Preparation

In a large pan or wok over medium heat, melt 1/2 tablespoon of ghee. Add chopped onions and sauté them until they turn golden brown and soft. This process usually takes about 7-8 minutes. While the onions are cooking, mince garlic and ginger root to add later.

Add minced garlic and ginger once the onions have softened. Stir constantly for another minute or two so that the flavors meld together nicely. Next, add ground coriander, cumin, turmeric, garam masala, red chili powder, and tomato paste to this mixture. Mix thoroughly before adding the marinated chicken back into the pan.

Cooking the Chicken

Now comes the most crucial part – cooking your chicken until it’s tender yet flavorful. Stir gently but frequently as you cook the chicken over medium heat for about 20-25 minutes, allowing juices to evaporate slightly and creating a nice caramelized crust on each piece.

Final Steps

After the chicken has cooked well, reduce heat if necessary to maintain gentle warmth. Add heavy cream into the pan and stir it in carefully so as not to break up the formed sauce too much. Let everything simmer together for another 10-12 minutes allowing flavors to deepen further.

Serving Suggestion

Your butter chicken is now ready! Serve hot with naan bread, basmati rice or even some roti. Garnish with fresh cilantro if available and enjoy your homemade version of this famous dish!

Note: Always ensure that all ingredients are fresh and properly stored before starting the recipe to get the best results possible.