Butter Chicken Recipe Indian Style

Hi Foodies! Today, we're diving into our personal butter chicken recipe, Indian style. Growing up I used to eat chicken tikka masala all the time at Indian restaurants. It’s the only thing I would have on the menu and I was always mesmerized by the creamy sauce combined with chicken. I always wanted to eat it at home but my parents had no clue how to make it and the internet wasn’t as amazing back then.

Now what on earth is the difference between chicken tikka masala and butter chicken? We have tried them at multiple restaurants and they seem to be literally the same. The key difference is chicken tikka masala is a British dish inspired by India whereas butter chicken stands for Murgh Makkani. Whether you wanna call this recipe butter chicken, chicken tikka masala, or murgh makkani is up to you! And now, after years of restaurant visits and kitchen experiments, I'm thrilled to share our take on this beloved dish.

So, follow along, and you'll be whipping up restaurant-quality butter chicken right in your kitchen.

First, let’s gather our ingredients for this authentic butter chicken recipe. For the most vibrant and delicious result, fresh is always best! You can usually find everything you need at your local Indian grocery store, though some items are increasingly available at regular supermarkets too. Often this dish may look red in some restaurants, which is a result of food coloring and possibly tomato paste. We feel that the added color effect is unnecessary but if you want you can always add it. And remember, feel free to tweak the spice levels to your liking – more chili powder for heat, less for a milder dish!

Spices and Seasonings for this Butter Chicken Recipe Indian Style:

• 1/2 tsp Salt for Chicken + 1/2 tsp Salt for Sauce

• 1/2 tsp Garam Masala

• 1/2 tsp Cumin powder

• 1/2 tsp Coriander powder

• 1/2 tsp Kashmiri Chili powder

• 1/4 tsp Turmeric

• 1/2 tsp Freshly ground Black Pepper

• 1 tsp Indian Red Chili Powder

• 1 tbsp Kasuri Methi

Vegetables for this Butter Chicken Recipe:

• 1 cup roughly chopped Red Onions (approximately)

• 2 Tomatoes, roughly chopped (approximately 1 1/2 cups)

Other Ingredients for this Butter Chicken Recipe:

• 1 pound boneless, skinless Chicken Thighs

• 1 tablespoon fresh Ginger-Garlic Paste (about 1 clove garlic and 1-inch ginger)

• 1/4 cup Cashew Pieces

• 1 tbsp Lime Juice

• 1/2 cup Plain Yogurt (preferably Indian yogurt, not Greek)

• 1 1/2 tablespoons Ghee

• 1 tablespoon Canola Oil 

• 3/4 cup Water

• 1/4 cup Cilantro Leaves

• 1/2 tablespoon Heavy Cream 

Now, let's get cooking! Here's how to make our special butter chicken recipe, Indian style:

To Marinate your Butter Chicken

1. To begin, cut your chicken thighs into bite-sized pieces for marination.

2. Next, in a bowl, marinate the chicken with 1/2 tsp Salt and Black Pepper. 

3. Then, add 1/4 tsp turmeric, 1/2 tsp each of Garam Masala, Cumin powder, and Kashmiri Chili powder. Finish with 1 tsp of Indian Red Chili powder and mix everything thoroughly.

4. After that, squeeze 1 tbsp of lime juice over the chicken and add 1 tablespoon of ginger-garlic paste. (For the paste, simply peel and smash the ginger and garlic together in a mortar and pestle or blend in a blender.)

5. Subsequently, add 1/2 cup of plain yogurt to the chicken pieces, ensuring it's well coated.

6. Following this, cover the bowl and refrigerate the chicken for 4-6 hours, or even overnight, for the best flavor. (If you’re short on time, you can skip this step and proceed directly to cooking.)

For the Butter Chicken Sauce

1. Add 1 tablespoon of oil in a non-stick pan over medium-high heat. Then add the red onions and sauté for 2-3 minutes.

2. Afterward, reduce the heat to medium and add the tomatoes, cashew pieces, and 1/2 tsp salt. Cook for about 7 minutes, until the mixture softens and becomes mushy.

3. Subsequently, transfer the contents of the pan to a blender and let it cool slightly before blending into a smooth sauce.

Back to Cooking the Butter Chicken

1. Meanwhile, add 1 1/2 tablespoons of ghee to the same pan. Add the marinated chicken and cook over high or medium-high heat for 5 minutes, flipping the pieces halfway through.

2. While the chicken cooks, blend your sauce ingredients.

3. Once the 5 minutes are over, reduce the heat to medium. Pour the blended sauce into the pan and stir well.

4. Next, add 1/4 cup of water to the blender to collect any remaining sauce, and pour that into the pan as well.

5. Then, cover the pan and cook the chicken for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.

7. Following this, reduce the heat to medium-low and add another 1/4 cup of water. Cover and cook for another 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.

8. After that, add a final 1/4 cup of water and cook for 3 minutes with the lid on.

9. Finally, remove the lid for the last 2 minutes and add 1/4 cup of cilantro leaves and 1 tablespoon of crushed Kasuri Methi.

10. For that extra restaurant touch drizzle 1/2 tablespoon of heavy cream over the top.

11. Serve this delicious butter chicken recipe, Indian style, with rice or naan, and enjoy!

And if you’re a true Indian food enthusiast, don’t forget to check out our Indian foodie shirts!