Introduction
Creamy Butter Chicken, also known as Murgh Makhani, is a beloved Indian dish known for its rich, velvety tomato-based sauce and tender, flavorful chicken. It’s a dish that perfectly balances the creaminess of butter and cream with aromatic spices, creating a savory, slightly sweet, and indulgent flavor profile. This dish is popular worldwide for its luxurious texture and comforting taste, often served alongside naan, roti, or steamed rice.
Why I Love This Recipe
I love this recipe because it transforms simple ingredients into a restaurant-quality dish at home. The chicken becomes tender and juicy, soaking in a sauce that is creamy, mildly spiced, and slightly tangy from tomatoes. The combination of butter, cream, and aromatic spices creates a decadent flavor that feels both comforting and indulgent. It’s a dish that’s perfect for special occasions or even a cozy dinner at home, and it impresses every time without being overly complicated to prepare.
Why This is a Must-Try Dish
This dish is a must-try because it’s a classic representation of Indian cuisine that everyone loves. Its rich, creamy texture and balanced flavors make it ideal for both family meals and entertaining guests. The combination of spices, cream, and butter delivers a depth of flavor that is hard to resist. Whether you’re a beginner in Indian cooking or an experienced chef, mastering butter chicken provides a foundation for other Indian curries and is a dish that guarantees satisfaction.
Recipe Information
- Preparation Time: 20 minutes
- Cooking Time: 35–40 minutes
- Total Time: 55–60 minutes
- Servings: 4 servings
- Calories per Serving: ~450 kcal (varies by cream and butter content)
Cuisine & Course
- Cuisine: Indian
- Course: Main Course, Dinner
Ingredients
For the Chicken Marinade:
- 500 g boneless chicken thighs or breasts, cut into cubes
- ½ cup plain yogurt
- 1 tablespoon ginger-garlic paste
- 1 teaspoon red chili powder
- ½ teaspoon turmeric powder
- ½ teaspoon garam masala
- Salt to taste
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
For the Butter Chicken Sauce:
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 1 tablespoon oil
- 1 large onion, finely chopped
- 2 teaspoons ginger-garlic paste
- 2 cups tomato puree
- 1 teaspoon red chili powder
- ½ teaspoon turmeric powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon ground coriander
- 1 teaspoon garam masala
- ½ cup heavy cream
- 1 teaspoon sugar (optional, to balance acidity)
- Salt to taste
- Fresh cilantro/coriander leaves for garnish
Simple Cooking Directions
- Marinate chicken with yogurt, spices, and lemon juice for at least 30 minutes.
- Heat butter and oil in a pan and sauté onions until golden brown.
- Add ginger-garlic paste and cook for 1–2 minutes.
- Add tomato puree and spices, cook until the oil separates.
- Add marinated chicken and cook until tender.
- Stir in cream and simmer for 5–10 minutes.
- Adjust salt and sugar, garnish with fresh cilantro, and serve hot.
Step-by-Step Preparation Method
Step 1: Marinate the Chicken
- In a bowl, combine chicken cubes, yogurt, ginger-garlic paste, red chili powder, turmeric, garam masala, salt, and lemon juice. Mix well and let it marinate for 30 minutes to 2 hours.
Step 2: Prepare the Sauce Base
- Heat 3 tablespoons butter and 1 tablespoon oil in a large pan over medium heat.
- Add finely chopped onions and sauté until golden brown.
- Stir in 2 teaspoons ginger-garlic paste and cook for 1–2 minutes until fragrant.
Step 3: Cook the Tomato Masala
- Add 2 cups tomato puree, 1 teaspoon red chili powder, ½ teaspoon turmeric, 1 teaspoon cumin, and 1 teaspoon coriander powder.
- Cook on medium heat for 8–10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the mixture thickens and oil begins to separate from the masala.
Step 4: Cook the Chicken
- Add the marinated chicken into the pan and mix well with the masala.
- Cover and cook for 15–20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until chicken is cooked through and tender.
Step 5: Add Cream and Finish
- Reduce heat to low, stir in ½ cup heavy cream and 1 teaspoon sugar (if using).
- Simmer for 5–10 minutes until the sauce is creamy and well blended.
- Taste and adjust salt or spices as needed.
Step 6: Garnish and Serve
- Garnish with fresh cilantro leaves.
- Serve hot with naan, roti, or steamed basmati rice.
How to Serve
- Serve with butter naan, garlic naan, or basmati rice.
- Pair with a side of cucumber raita or a simple salad.
- Optional: drizzle extra cream on top for a luxurious touch.
Additional Tips
- Use boneless chicken thighs for juicier meat; breasts are leaner but slightly drier.
- Marinate the chicken for longer (2–4 hours) for more tender and flavorful results.
- For a smoky flavor, you can grill the chicken before adding it to the sauce.
- Adjust the cream amount based on how rich you want the sauce to be.
Variations
- Spicy Butter Chicken: Add extra red chili powder or green chilies for heat.
- Cashew Cream Butter Chicken: Blend soaked cashews into a smooth paste and add to the sauce for a nutty richness.
- Healthy Version: Use low-fat yogurt and reduce butter while keeping cream optional.
- Coconut Butter Chicken: Substitute some cream with coconut milk for a subtle tropical twist.
Freezing and Storage
- Storage: Keep leftover butter chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days.
- Freezing: Freeze cooked butter chicken in a freezer-safe container for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
- Reheating: Reheat gently on the stove with a splash of water or cream to restore consistency.
Special Equipment Needed
- Large skillet or non-stick pan with lid
- Knife and cutting board
- Mixing bowls for marination
- Spoon or spatula for stirring
- Blender or food processor (optional, for smooth tomato puree)
Conclusion
Creamy Butter Chicken is a timeless dish that combines rich, aromatic flavors with tender, juicy chicken. Its creamy tomato-based sauce makes it comforting, indulgent, and perfect for family dinners, special occasions, or even a cozy night in. With this recipe, you can recreate a restaurant-quality butter chicken at home, balancing spices, cream, and butter to achieve a dish that is sure to impress everyone at the table.
Creamy Butter Chicken
Description
Creamy Butter Chicken, also known as Murgh Makhani, is a beloved Indian dish known for its rich, velvety tomato-based sauce and tender, flavorful chicken.
Ingredients
For the Chicken Marinade:
For the Butter Chicken Sauce:
Instructions
-
Step 1: Marinate the Chicken : In a bowl, combine chicken cubes, yogurt, ginger-garlic paste, red chili powder, turmeric, garam masala, salt, and lemon juice. Mix well and let it marinate for 30 minutes to 2 hours.
-
Step 2: Prepare the Sauce Base : Heat 3 tablespoons butter and 1 tablespoon oil in a large pan over medium heat. Add finely chopped onions and sauté until golden brown. Stir in 2 teaspoons ginger-garlic paste and cook for 1–2 minutes until fragrant.
-
Step 3: Cook the Tomato Masala : Add 2 cups tomato puree, 1 teaspoon red chili powder, ½ teaspoon turmeric, 1 teaspoon cumin, and 1 teaspoon coriander powder. Cook on medium heat for 8–10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the mixture thickens and oil begins to separate from the masala.
-
Step 4: Cook the Chicken : Add the marinated chicken into the pan and mix well with the masala. Cover and cook for 15–20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until chicken is cooked through and tender.
-
Step 5: Add Cream and Finish : Reduce heat to low, stir in ½ cup heavy cream and 1 teaspoon sugar (if using). Simmer for 5–10 minutes until the sauce is creamy and well blended. Taste and adjust salt or spices as needed.
-
Step 6: Garnish and Serve : Garnish with fresh cilantro leaves. Serve hot with naan, roti, or steamed basmati rice.
