Description
Butter Chicken, or Murgh Makhani, is a classic Indian dish that’s characterized by its smooth and creamy tomato-based sauce. The chicken is marinated in a mixture of yogurt, spices, and sometimes lemon juice to tenderize the meat. This marinated chicken is then cooked and bathed in a delicious sauce made with butter, tomato puree, cream, and a blend of spices, giving it a rich and luxurious texture. The final dish is typically garnished with fresh coriander and served with basmati rice, naan, or paratha.
Ingredients
For Marinade
- 1½ lb (680g) chicken thigh fillets, boneless
- ½ cup plain yogurt
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tsp turmeric powder
- 2 tsp garam masala
- ½ tsp cayenne pepper
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tbsp grated ginger
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
For Sauce
- 2 tbsp butter (or ghee)
- 1 cup tomato passata (or purée)
- 1 cup thickened cream
- 1 tbsp sugar
- 1¼ tsp salt (adjust to taste)
- 1 tsp kasuri methi (dried fenugreek leaves), crushed
- Fresh coriander for garnish
Instructions
- Marinate the Chicken Mix all marinade ingredients in a bowl. Add chicken and coat well. Cover and refrigerate for at least 3 hours or overnight.
- Cook the Chicken Heat butter in a large pan over high heat. Add marinated chicken (don’t wipe off marinade) and cook until white all over. Set aside.
- Make the Sauce In the same pan, add tomato passata, cream, sugar, salt, and any leftover marinade. Simmer on low for 20 minutes until thickened and deep orange.
- Combine & Finish Add cooked chicken to the sauce. Simmer for 8–10 minutes until chicken is tender and sauce is rich. Stir in kasuri methi.
- Serve Hot Garnish with coriander and serve with basmati rice, naan, or paratha.
Notes
For a richer experience, pair Butter Chicken with warm butter naan or fragrant basmati rice, and garnish with fresh coriander and a drizzle of cream for a restaurant-style finish.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Indian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 490
- Sugar: 7g
- Sodium: 780mg
- Fat: 32g
- Saturated Fat: 15g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 18g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 34g
- Cholesterol: High
Keywords: Murgh Makhani, Restaurant-style Butter Chicken, Easy Butter Chicken, Creamy Butter Chicken, Indian Butter Chicken