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Butter Chicken Recipe

Butter Chicken — or Murgh Makhani — is India’s global culinary ambassador, loved for its luscious, creamy tomato gravy and tender, spiced chicken. Born in Delhi’s legendary Moti Mahal in the 1950s, this dish was a happy accident: leftover tandoori chicken simmered in a velvety tomato-butter-cream sauce.

Today, it’s one of the most ordered Indian dishes around the world — and now, you can make restaurant-style butter chicken right in your kitchen.


🍗 Why You'll Love This Butter Chicken

  1. Rich, buttery sauce infused with warm Indian spices
  2. Tender chicken, marinated for max flavor and juiciness
  3. Perfect balance of spice, creaminess, and sweetness
  4. Freezes well and tastes even better the next day


🕒 Prep & Cook Time

StepTime
Prep & Marination30 mins – 4 hrs (longer = better)
Cooking Time30–35 minutes
Total Time1 to 5 hours


  1. Serves: 4


🛒 Ingredients

🔸 For the Chicken Marinade:

  1. 500g boneless chicken thighs or breast, cut into chunks
  2. ½ cup plain yogurt (curd)
  3. 1 tbsp ginger-garlic paste
  4. 1 tsp turmeric
  5. 1 tsp chili powder (Kashmiri chili for vibrant color)
  6. 1 tsp garam masala
  7. 1 tsp salt
  8. 1 tbsp lemon juice
  9. 1 tbsp vegetable oil

🔸 For the Butter Chicken Gravy:

  1. 2 tbsp butter
  2. 1 tbsp oil
  3. 1 medium onion, finely chopped
  4. 1 tbsp ginger-garlic paste
  5. 2 cups tomato purée (fresh or canned)
  6. 1 tsp coriander powder
  7. 1 tsp cumin powder
  8. 1 tsp chili powder
  9. 1 tsp sugar (balances acidity)
  10. ½ tsp salt, or to taste
  11. ½ cup fresh cream
  12. 1 tsp kasuri methi (dried fenugreek leaves)
  13. Extra butter (1–2 tbsp), for richness
  14. Fresh coriander to garnish
💡 Optional: Add a splash of milk for lighter gravy or a dash of honey if using very tart tomatoes.


👨‍🍳 How to Make Butter Chicken

🔹 Step 1: Marinate the Chicken

  1. Combine all marinade ingredients in a bowl.
  2. Add chicken, coat well, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes (up to 4 hours).
🧠 Pro Tip: The yogurt tenderizes the meat and infuses it with flavor. Longer marination = juicier chicken.

🔹 Step 2: Cook the Chicken

  1. Grill, pan-fry, or bake the chicken until just cooked and lightly charred.
  2. Set aside. Don’t overcook — it will finish cooking in the gravy.
🔥 Grill it for smoky flavor. Bake at 220°C (425°F) for 15–18 minutes, or sear in a hot pan with oil.

🔹 Step 3: Make the Makhani Gravy

  1. In a pan, heat butter and oil.
  2. Add chopped onions and sauté until golden.
  3. Add ginger-garlic paste and cook for 1–2 minutes.
  4. Pour in tomato purée. Cook until it thickens and deepens in color — 10–12 minutes.
  5. Add coriander, cumin, chili powder, sugar, and salt. Mix and simmer 2–3 minutes.

🔹 Step 4: Blend (Optional for Silky Texture)

  1. Cool the sauce slightly, blend until smooth, and return to pan.

🔹 Step 5: Add Chicken & Cream

  1. Add cooked chicken to the gravy.
  2. Pour in fresh cream and crushed kasuri methi.
  3. Simmer for 5–8 minutes until chicken is tender and flavors marry.
  4. Finish with a tablespoon of butter for that glossy restaurant-style finish.

🔹 Step 6: Garnish & Serve

  1. Garnish with chopped coriander, a swirl of cream, or a touch of kasuri methi.
  2. Serve hot with naan, roti, or basmati rice.


🍽️ What to Serve With Butter Chicken

  1. 🫓 Garlic naan or tandoori roti
  2. 🍚 Steamed jeera rice or buttered basmati
  3. 🥗 Cooling cucumber raita
  4. 🧅 Pickled onions or a simple salad


🔄 Variations

Make It…Swap/Add
LighterUse milk instead of cream + skip extra butter
SpicierAdd green chilies or hot chili powder
VeganUse tofu and cashew cream instead of dairy
NuttyAdd 1 tbsp ground cashews or almond paste to gravy
More AuthenticSmoke the finished curry with a coal dhungar method


📌 Tags

#butterchicken #murghmakhani #indianrecipes #comfortcurry #creamygravy #northindianfood #homemadecurry #naanandcurry #restaurantstyle


🗂️ Recipe Summary

  1. Cuisine: North Indian
  2. Category: Main Course / Curry
  3. Skill Level: Easy to Intermediate
  4. Prep Method: Stove-top + Marination
  5. Diet: Non-Vegetarian, Gluten-Free


❤️ Final Thoughts: Butter Chicken = Soul Food

Butter chicken is more than just a recipe — it’s culinary nostalgia. Every creamy, tangy, gently spiced bite wraps you in comfort. It’s the kind of dish you make once, and it becomes your signature.

So grab a pot, marinate that chicken, and let the aromas transport you straight to an Indian kitchen where butter simmers and naan is always warm.


📸 Show Off Your Butter Chicken Masterpiece!

Tried this recipe? Tag it with #MyButterChicken or #CurryObsession — I’d love to see your spicy, creamy creations!

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