Easy Indian Butter Chicken | Murgh Makhani Recipe

The butter chicken (Murgh Makhani) is a rich, creamy, and texturally heavenly dish of tender chicken, with spices and butter combined with a luscious tomato-based sauce. Making butter chicken for restaurants just like home, here is the complete method of making the dish. Murgh makhani is popularly called butter chicken in the subcontinent and is one of the most well-loved dishes of South Asia. The dish is made with a smooth, rich, creamy tomato-based sauce that lusciously coats tender pieces of chicken. Butter chicken (Murgh Makhani) is complex in flavor and rich in consistency, and combines with a luscious tomato-based sauce infused with spices.

Step by Step Recipe of Chicken Recipe

For Marination:

• 500 g thighs or breast meat (cut into pieces about 1 inch).
• ½ cup plain yogurt.
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice.
• 1 tablespoon ginger-garlic paste.
• 1 teaspoon turmeric powder.
• 1 teaspoon red chili powder (to taste).
• 1 teaspoon garam masala.
• ½ teaspoon salt.

For Gravy:

• 2 tablespoons butter (unsalted).
• 1 tablespoon oil (optional).
• 1 onion (large), chopped finely.
• 4 cloves garlic, minced.
• 1-inch piece of ginger, grated.
• 2 teaspoons ground cumin.
• 1 teaspoon ground coriander.
• 1 teaspoon garam masala.
• ½ teaspoon red chili powder (if needed for hotness).
• 400 grams canned crushed tomatoes or fresh tomato puree.
• 1 cup heavy cream or evaporated milk (for a lighter version).
• ½ teaspoon kasuri methi (dried fenugreek leaves).
• Salt to taste.
• Sugar to balance acidity (optional, about 1 teaspoon).

Butter Chicken Recipe Preparation Steps

Step 1: Marinate Chicken

1. In a bowl, combine the yogurt, lemon juice, ginger-garlic paste, turmeric, red chili powder, garam masala, and salt.
2. Add pieces this to the marinade, mixing through with the spices so that the chicken is evenly coated.
3. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or up to overnight for a stronger flavor.

Step 2: Cook Chicken

1. Heat a large pan on medium-high heat; pour in a smidgen of oil.
2. Brown the marinated chicken on all sides and cook till done. About five to seven minutes per batch.
3. Remove from the pan and set aside.

Step 3: Make the Sauce

1. Melt butter in the same skillet and on medium heat; saute the onions, stirring until golden brown.
2. Then add minced garlic and grated ginger and cook for about a minute till fragrant.
3. Stir in cumin, coriander, garam masala, and red chili powder; cook one more minute to toast the spices.

Step 4: Build the Sauce

1. Pour in crushed tomatoes or tomato puree and simmer for 10 minutes, until the mixture becomes thickened and deep red.
2. Blend the sauce with an immersion blender or, for a smoother texture, pour it into a regular blender.
3. Meanwhile, put the blended sauce back into the skillet and pour in heavy cream or evaporated milk.

Step 5: Add to Sauce

1. Put this back into the sauce and leave to simmer for another 10 minutes so that flavors marry.
2. Then sprinkle kasuri methi for a beautiful aroma.
3. Adjust seasoning with salt or sugar and taste.

Step 6: Garnish and Serve

1. Garnish with fresh cilantro leaves and drizzle some more cream on if you’d like.
2. Serve hot with basmati rice, naan, or parathas.

Tips for a Perfect Butter Chicken Recipe

• Marination: The longer you marinate the chicken, the better flavor it imparts, and overnight is the best.
• Fresh Tomatoes: Use only very fresh ripe tomatoes or very good canned crushed tomatoes for natural sweetness.
• Cream: For a lighter version, instead of cream, this can also be replaced with Greek yogurt or evaporated milk.
• Kasuri Methi: This is the magic ingredient that gives the true aroma, so do not skip it if possible.
• Consistency: To give a smooth texture to coat the chicken perfectly, blend the sauce.

Serve with 

• Steamed basmati rice
• Garlic naan or plain naan
• Jeera rice (cumin-flavored rice)
• Cucumber raita on the side

Discover our more recipes:

• Spicy Chicken Tikka Biryani
• Best Chicken Taco Soup
• Hyderabadi Chicken Dum Biryani

Cultural Significance

Butter chicken is the evolution of ancient culinary dishes, and in such evolution, it has transitioned with the times. It is innovation born out of necessity and represents the syncretic food culture. It is cooked at all such celebratory occasions like weddings and festivals, and has served more or less in establishing its comfort as a food that people come together for.

Variations of Butter Chicken

• Tandoori Chicken: Marinated chicken is cooked in a creamy tomato-based sauce. 
• Vegetarian Versions: Replace meat with paneer in paneer makhani.
• Regional Twists: Some version of it adds coconut milk as a local flavor or some extra spice. 
• Fusion Cuisine: For the pies, wraps, and even features as some pretty unique adaptations.

Conclusion 

The butter chicken is a recipe loaded with richness associated with desi cuisine while being universally appealing across cultures. It finds its space at those upbeat festive gatherings as well as within the cozy comfort zone of home, where whispering tangy taste and creamy texture make for an irresistible treat. Whether it is enjoyed as one would at home or relished as part of the gourmet menu of a restaurant, it celebrates rich heritage and culinary evolution in every mouthful. There are the various cooking methods and sciences behind the flavors, but it also equips us to recreate the dish in its sublime form.

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