Delicious Butter Chicken Recipe: How to Make the Perfect Indian Dish at Home
Butter chicken is a popular Indian dish that is enjoyed by people all around the world. Its creamy texture, rich flavor, and tender chicken make it a favorite for anyone who loves Indian cuisine. While it may seem daunting to make this dish at home, with the right recipe and some practice, it can be easily mastered. In this article, we will provide you with a step-by-step guide on how to make the perfect butter chicken recipe in the comfort of your own home.
History of Butter Chicken
Butter chicken, also known as murgh makhani in Hindi, is a dish that originated in the Punjab region of India. The dish was invented in the 1950s by a chef named Kundan Lal Gujral, who owned a restaurant called Moti Mahal in Delhi. Gujral wanted to make use of the leftover tandoori chicken in his restaurant, which was usually dry and tough. To make the chicken more tender, he came up with a recipe that involved marinating the chicken in a yogurt-based sauce before cooking it in a tandoor oven. He then simmered the chicken in a rich tomato-based gravy and added cream and butter to make it more indulgent. This was the birth of the butter chicken recipe.
Ingredients
To make the perfect butter chicken, you will need the following ingredients:
For the chicken marinade:
1) 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts
2) 1/2 cup plain yogurt
3) 1 tablespoon ginger paste
4) 1 tablespoon garlic paste
5) 1/2 teaspoon of cumin powder
6) 1/2 teaspoon coriander powder
7) 1/4 teaspoon turmeric powder
8) 1/4 teaspoon of red chili powder
9) 1/4 teaspoon garam masala
10) 1/2 teaspoon salt
For the tomato gravy:
1) 2 tablespoons ghee or butter
2) 1 large onion, chopped
3) 1 tablespoon ginger paste
4) 1 tablespoon garlic paste
5) 2 large tomatoes, pureed
6) 1/2 teaspoon of cumin powder
7) 1/2 teaspoon coriander powder
8) 1/4 teaspoon turmeric powder
9) 1/4 teaspoon red chili powder
10) 1/4 teaspoon garam masala
11) 1/2 cup heavy cream
12) 1 tablespoon honey
13) Salt to taste
For the garnish:
1) Fresh cilantro leaves, chopped
2) Heavy cream
Instructions
1) Cut the chicken breasts into bite-sized pieces, and mix together all the ingredients for the chicken marinade in a bowl. Add the chicken to the marinade, and let it sit for at least 30 minutes, or up to overnight in the fridge.
2) Preheat your oven to 425°F, and line a baking sheet with foil. Spread the marinated chicken out on the baking sheet in a single layer, and bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through.
3) In the meantime, heat the ghee or butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chopped onions, and sauté until they are translucent and golden brown. Add the ginger and garlic paste, and sauté for another minute.
4) Add the pureed tomatoes to the skillet, and stir well. Add the cumin, coriander, turmeric, red chili powder, and garam masala, and stir again. Cook the mixture for 5-7 minutes, or until the oil starts to separate from the tomato gravy.
5) Add the heavy cream and honey to the skillet, and stir well. Cook the mixture for another 2-
6) Once the chicken is cooked, add it to the tomato gravy in the skillet. Stir well, and let the chicken simmer in the gravy for 10-15 minutes. This will allow the chicken to absorb the flavors of the gravy, and become more tender.
7) Taste the gravy, and add salt to your liking. If the gravy is too thick, you can add a little bit of water to thin it out.
8) Once the chicken is cooked to your satisfaction, turn off the heat and garnish the dish with fresh cilantro leaves and a drizzle of heavy cream. This will add a pop of color and freshness to the dish.
Serve the butter chicken hot with naan or rice, and enjoy the flavors of India in the comfort of your own home.
Tips for Making the Perfect Butter Chicken
While the recipe for butter chicken is fairly straightforward, there are a few tips and tricks that can help you make the perfect dish every time.
1) Marinate the chicken for at least 30 minutes, or up to overnight in the fridge. This will allow the chicken to absorb the flavors of the marinade, and become more tender.
2) Bake the chicken in the oven instead of frying it on the stove. This will allow the chicken to cook evenly, and will save you the hassle of having to stand over the stove and watch the chicken.
3) Use a puree of fresh tomatoes instead of canned tomato puree. This will add a fresh and authentic flavor to the gravy.
4) Add a little bit of honey to the gravy to balance out the acidity of the tomatoes.
5) Let the chicken simmer in the gravy for at least 10-15 minutes. This will allow the chicken to absorb the flavors of the gravy, and become more tender.
6) Garnish the dish with fresh cilantro leaves and a drizzle of heavy cream. This will add a pop of color and freshness to the dish.
The Origins of Butter Chicken
Butter chicken, also known as murgh makhani in Hindi, is a dish that originated in the Indian state of Punjab in the 1950s. It was created by Kundan Lal Gujral, who ran a restaurant called Moti Mahal in Delhi. Gujral was a Punjabi Hindu who fled to Delhi during the Partition of India in 1947. In Delhi, he opened a restaurant called Moti Mahal, which quickly became popular among the city's elite.
One day, Gujral decided to experiment with tandoori chicken, a popular dish that is cooked in a clay oven. He marinated the chicken in yogurt and spices and cooked it in a tandoor until it was tender and juicy. However, he found that the chicken was too dry, and lacked flavor. To remedy this, he came up with a creamy tomato-based gravy, which he poured over the chicken. The result was a dish that was rich, creamy, and bursting with flavor.
Over time, the dish became popular among the city's elite and soon spread to other parts of India. Today, butter chicken is a staple of Indian cuisine, and is loved by people all over the world.
Ingredients for Butter Chicken
To make butter chicken, you will need the following ingredients:
1) Boneless chicken breast or thighs
2) Yogurt
3) Lemon juice
4) Ginger and garlic paste
5) Garam masala
6) Cayenne pepper
7) Salt
8) Butter
9) Tomatoes
10) Onion
11) Heavy cream
12) Cilantro leaves
While some of these ingredients may be unfamiliar to you, they can be easily found in most grocery stores that carry Indian ingredients. If you're unable to find these ingredients at your local grocery store, you can always look for them at an Indian grocery store, or order them online.
Preparing the Chicken
To prepare the chicken for butter chicken, you will need to marinate it in a mixture of yogurt, lemon juice, ginger and garlic paste, garam masala, cayenne pepper, and salt. This will help the chicken to absorb the flavors of the marinade, and become more tender.
After marinating the chicken for at least 30 minutes, you can either bake it in the oven or fry it on the stove. If you choose to bake the chicken in the oven, it will cook evenly and will be less messy than frying it on the stove. However, if you prefer the taste of fried chicken, you can certainly fry it on the stove.
Preparing the Gravy
To prepare the gravy for butter chicken, you will need to sauté onions and tomatoes in butter until they are soft and fragrant. Then, you can blend the onions and tomatoes into a smooth puree, which will form the base of the gravy.
Next, you will add the heavy cream to the tomato gravy, and stir it until it is well combined. This will give the gravy its creamy texture and rich flavor. You can also add a little bit of honey to the gravy, which will balance out the acidity of the tomatoes.
Simmering the Chicken in the Gravy
Once the chicken is cooked, you can add it to the tomato gravy in the skillet. Stir well, and let the chicken simmer in the gravy for 10-15 minutes. This will allow the chicken to absorb the flavors of the gravy, and become more tender.
During this time, you can taste the gravy and add salt to your liking. If the gravy is too thick, you can add a little bit of water to thin it out.
Garnishing the Dish
Once the chicken is cooked to your satisfaction, turn off the heat and garnish the dish with fresh cilantro leaves and a dr
Serving Suggestions
Butter chicken is best served with steamed rice, naan bread, or roti. The creamy gravy goes well with the plainness of the rice, while the bread can be used to scoop up the gravy and chicken. You can also serve the dish with a side of cucumber raita, which is a cool and refreshing yogurt-based dip that complements the spiciness of the chicken.
Variations of Butter Chicken:-
Butter chicken is a versatile dish that can be customized to your taste. Here are a few variations that you can try:
1) Paneer Makhani - Replace the chicken with cubes of paneer, which is a type of Indian cheese. The rest of the recipe remains the same.
2) Tofu Makhani - Replace the chicken with cubes of tofu, and use coconut cream instead of heavy cream. This will make the dish vegan and dairy-free.
3) Butter Chicken Pizza - Spread the butter chicken gravy over a pre-baked pizza crust, and top it with cheese and your favorite toppings. This is a fun and delicious way to enjoy butter chicken.
Health Benefits of Butter Chicken
While butter chicken is not exactly a healthy food, it does have some nutritional benefits. Chicken is a good source of lean protein, which helps to build and repair muscle tissue. Tomatoes are rich in lycopene, which is an antioxidant that can help to reduce the risk of certain types of cancer. Onions contain compounds that have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, which can help to protect against chronic diseases. Ginger and garlic have been shown to have antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effects, which can boost the immune system.
In conclusion, butter chicken is a delicious and satisfying dish that is easy to make at home. By following the simple steps outlined in this article, you can make the perfect butter chicken that will impress your family and friends. Whether you're a seasoned cook or a beginner, you can enjoy the flavors and aromas of Indian cuisine with this classic dish.
Conclusion
Butter chicken is a dish that is loved by people all over the world, and for good reason. Its creamy texture, rich flavor, and tender chicken make it a favorite for anyone who loves Indian cuisine. While it may seem daunting to make this dish at home, with the right recipe and some practice, it can be easily mastered.
In this article, we provided you with a step-by-step guide on how to make the perfect butter chicken recipe in the comfort of your own home. We also shared some tips and tricks to help you make the perfect dish every time. With this recipe, you can enjoy the flavors of India in the comfort of your own home, and impress your friends and family with your culinary skills. So, what are you waiting for? Try making butter chicken at home today, and enjoy the delicious flavors of India.
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