Best Indian Butter Chicken Recipes

EASY INDIAN BUTTER CHICKEN

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
• Melt a few tablespoons of butter in a skillet over medium heat. Stir in onion and garlic, and cook slowly until the onion caramelizes to a dark brown, about 15 minutes.
• Meanwhile melt the remaining butter in a saucepan over medium-high heat along with the tomato sauce, heavy cream, salt, cayenne pepper, and garam masala. Bring to a simmer, then reduce heat to medium-low; cover, and simmer for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. Then stir in caramelized onions.
• While the sauce is simmering, toss cubed chicken breast with vegetable oil until coated, then season with tandoori masala and spread out onto a baking sheet.
• Bake chicken in preheated oven until no longer pink in the center, about 12 minutes. Once done, add the chicken to the sauce and simmer for 5 minutes before serving.

MURGH MAKHANI (INDIAN BUTTER CHICKEN)

Steps:

• Stir the yogurt and tandoori masala powder together in a large bowl until thoroughly combined; add the chicken and toss to coat evenly. Marinate in refrigerator for 1 hour. Drain and discard any excess marinade.
• Puree the onion, ginger, and garlic with the water in a blender until it forms a smooth paste; set aside.
• Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Cook the chicken in the hot oil until lightly browned on all sides, about 5 minutes. Remove from skillet and set aside. Heat the remaining 2 tablespoons in the skillet. Fry the onion paste in the hot oil until the moisture is mostly evaporated, about 3 minutes. Sprinkle the garam masala and chili powder over the mixture; cook 1 minute more. Pour the tomato sauce into the mixture, reduce heat to medium-low, and cook another 5 minutes. Return the chicken to the pan along with the half and half; bring to a boil. Add the butter, fenugreek leaves, and salt; reduce heat to low and simmer uncovered until the chicken pieces are no longer pink in the middle, 15 to 20 minutes.

CHICKEN MAKHANI (INDIAN BUTTER CHICKEN)

Steps:

• Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a large saucepan over medium high heat. Saute shallot and onion until soft and translucent. Stir in butter, lemon juice, ginger-garlic paste, 1 teaspoon garam masala, chili powder, cumin and bay leaf. Cook, stirring, for 1 minute. Add tomato sauce, and cook for 2 minutes, stirring frequently. Stir in half-and-half and yogurt. Reduce heat to low, and simmer for 10 minutes, stirring frequently. Season with salt pepper. Remove from heat and set aside.
• Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a large heavy skillet over medium heat. Cook chicken until lightly browned, about 10 minutes. Reduce heat, and season with 1 teaspoon garam masala and cayenne. Stir in a few spoonfuls of sauce, and simmer until liquid has reduced, and chicken is no longer pink. Stir cooked chicken into sauce.
• Mix together cornstarch and water, then stir into the sauce. Cook for 5 to 10 minutes, or until thickened.

BUTTER CHICKEN (INDIAN CHICKEN IN TOMATO CREAM SAUCE)

Steps:

• To make the spice blend: Stir the ingredients together in a small bowl and set aside.
• To make the sauce: Melt the butter in a 12-inch nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add the onion and cook, stirring frequently, until the pieces just begin to turn gold, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic, tomato paste and spice blend, and cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly to prevent burning. The spices will be fragrant. Add the tomato sauce and diced tomatoes and stir will. Add the chicken pieces, spoon the sauce over the top and bring to a simmer. Turn the heat to low and cook, uncovered, until the chicken is warmed through and the sauce is flavorful, about 10 minutes. Stir frequently. Remove the chicken to a serving dish and cover to keep warm.
• Shake any excess water from the peas. Add the peas and cream to the sauce in the pan, stir well and heat through. Do not boil. Spoon the sauce over the chicken. Serve with rice and warmed pita bread.

INDIAN BUTTER CHICKEN (CHICKEN MAKHANI)

Steps:

• Mix garam masala, tandoori masala, curry, cumin, cardamom, cayenne, salt, and black pepper together in a small bowl to make spice mixture.
• Place chicken in a large bowl and add 1/2 the spice mixture; turn to coat evenly.
• Melt 1 tablespoon butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add chicken; cook and stir until lightly browned, about 10 minutes. Remove from heat.
• Melt remaining 2 tablespoons butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add onion; cook and stir until soft and translucent, about 5 minutes. Stir in remainder of the spice mixture, lemon juice, garlic, and ginger; cook and stir until combined, about 1 minute.
• Stir tomato puree into onion mixture and cook, stirring frequently, about 2 minutes. Pour in half-and-half and yogurt. Reduce heat to low and simmer sauce, stirring frequently, about 10 minutes. Remove from heat.
• Blend cashews in a blender until finely ground. Add sauce to the blender; puree until smooth.
• Pour blended sauce over chicken in the skillet. Simmer until thickened, 10 to 15 minutes. Garnish with cilantro.

MAKHANI CHICKEN (INDIAN BUTTER CHICKEN)

Steps:

• To Marinate: Place chicken in a nonporous glass dish or bowl with lemon juice, 1 tablespoon chili powder and salt. Toss to coat; cover dish and refrigerate to marinate for 1 hour.
• Drain yogurt in a cloth for 15 to 20 minutes. Place in a medium bowl; mix in salt, garlic paste, garam masala, butter, chili powder, ginger paste, lemon juice and oil. Pour yogurt mixture over chicken, replace cover and refrigerate to marinate for another 3 to 4 hours.
• Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
• Place chicken on skewers. Place skewers in a 9x13 inch baking dish and bake in preheated oven for 20 minutes, or until almost cooked through.
• To Make Sauce: Melt butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Stir in garam masala. When masala begins to crackle, mix in ginger paste, chopped garlic and green chile peppers. Saute until tender, then stir in tomato puree, chili powder, salt and water. Bring to a boil; reduce heat to low and simmer, stirring in honey and fenugreek.
• Place chicken in sauce mixture. Continue cooking for another 5 minutes, or until chicken is no longer pink inside. Stir in fresh cream.

MURGH MAKHANI (INDIAN BUTTER CHICKEN)

Steps:

• Stir the yogurt and tandoori masala powder together in a large bowl until thoroughly combined; add the chicken and toss to coat evenly.
• Marinate in refrigerator for 1 hour. Drain and discard any excess marinade.
• Puree the onion, ginger, and garlic with the water in a blender until it forms a smooth paste; set aside.
• Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
• Cook the chicken in the hot oil until lightly browned on all sides, about 5 minutes.
• Remove from skillet and set aside.
• Heat the remaining 2 tablespoons in the skillet.
• Fry the onion paste in the hot oil until the moisture is mostly evaporated, about 3 minutes.
• Sprinkle the garam masala and chili powder over the mixture; cook 1 minute more.
• Pour the tomato sauce into the mixture, reduce heat to medium-low, and cook another 5 minutes.
• Return the chicken to the pan along with the half and half; bring to a boil. Add the butter, fenugreek leaves, and salt; reduce heat to low and simmer uncovered until the chicken pieces are no longer pink in the middle, 15 to 20 minutes.

GRILLED INDIAN-SPICED BUTTER CHICKEN

Steps:

• Marinate chicken:
• Purée onion, garlic, ginger, salt, chile, and vinegar to a smooth paste in a food processor. Transfer to a large wide bowl and whisk in yogurt, coriander, oil, turmeric, and cayenne. Add chicken pieces and turn to coat thickly. Cover with plastic wrap and marinate, chilled, at least 16 hours. Let stand at room temperature 30 minutes before grilling.
• Make ghee:
• Bring butter to a boil in a 1-quart heavy saucepan over moderate heat. When foam completely covers butter, reduce heat to very low. Cook butter until a very thin crust begins to form on surface and milky white solids fall to bottom of pan, about 8 minutes. Continue to cook butter, watching constantly, until solids at bottom of pan turn light brown and butter has a nutty fragrance, 8 to 16 minutes.
• Remove pan from heat and let butter stand 1 minute. Pour through a sieve lined with a dampened heavy-duty paper towel or a triple layer of cheesecloth into a bowl, discarding solids.
• Prepare grill for cooking over indirect heat with medium-hot charcoal (moderate heat for gas); see Grilling Procedure .
• To cook chicken using a charcoal grill: Lightly oil grill rack. Put chicken (still heavily coated with marinade) on rack over area of grill with no coals underneath. Drizzle chicken with about 1 tablespoon ghee. Cook chicken over medium-high heat, turning over and drizzling with ghee every 5 minutes, until cooked through, 20 to 25 minutes.
• To cook chicken using a gas grill: Lightly oil grill rack. Put chicken over shut-off burner. Cook chicken, turning over and drizzling with ghee every 5 minutes, until cooked through, about 20 to 25 minutes. (Cover grill between turns.)
• Serve chicken drizzled with any remaining ghee.

SLOW-COOKER INDIAN BUTTER CHICKEN

Steps:

• Crumble 1/2 piece naan into coarse crumbs; transfer to a 6-quart slow cooker. Add the red onion, potatoes, chile and cilantro stems. Arrange the chicken thighs in a single layer over the vegetables and sprinkle with the garam masala, 3/4 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of pepper. Dot with the butter and add the cinnamon stick. Pour the tomato sauce over the top. Cover and cook on low, 7 hours.
• Uncover and switch to the warm setting or turn off. Gently stir in the heavy cream, breaking the chicken into large chunks; let stand 10 minutes. Stir in the cilantro leaves and season with salt. Serve with the remaining naan.

CHICKEN MAKHANI (INDIAN BUTTER CHICKEN)

Steps:

• Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a large saucepan over medium high heat.
• Saute shallot and onion until soft and translucent.
• Stir in butter, lemon juice, ginger garlic paste, 1 teaspoon garam masala, chili powder, cumin and bay leaf.
• Cook, stirring, for 1 minute.
• Add tomato puree and cook for 2 minutes, stirring frequently.
• Stir in half-and-half and yogurt.
• Reduce heat to low and simmer for 10 minutes, stirring frequently.
• Season with salt, pepper and cayenne.
• Remove from heat and set aside.
• Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a large heavy skillt over medium heat.
• Cook chicken until lightly browned, about 10 minutes.
• Reduce heat and season with 1 teaspoon garam masala and cayenne.
• Stir in about 1/3 of the sauce and simmer until liquid has reduced and chicken is no longer pink, about 5 minutes.
• Pour the rest of the sauce into the chicken.
• Mix together cornstarch and water, then stir into the sauce.
• Cook for 5 to 10 minutes, or until thickened.

AUTHENTIC CHICKEN MAKHANI (INDIAN BUTTER CHICKEN)

Steps:

• In a large bowl, add chicken, Ginger-garlic paste, Red chilli powder, Salt to taste, Turmeric powder, Coriander powder, Cumin Powder, Garam masala, Chicken masala powder, and Yogurt.
• Stir mixture well, and marinate the chicken in the refrigerator for 1 hour.
• In a large pan or wok, medium-high heat the oil and butter and fry the chicken pieces (set aside the marinate) just until slightly under-done, then add the marinate to the pan and cook for 2 more minutes, or until hot. When done, pour mixture into a different bowl, covered, and set aside.
• In the same pan add 1 tablespoon oil, 1 tablespoon butter, onion, and once the onions are starting to soften, add tomatoes and cashew nuts. Let this cook for about 3 minutes more.
• Add garlic paste, salt to taste, malt vinegar, sugar, garam masala powder and chilli powder, and just enough water for desired consistency. Evenly mix, turn the heat on low, and let it simmer for 15-20 minutes, adding more water if needed, and stirring on occassion.
• Pour this hot mixture into a blender or food processor, and blend into a fine puree (please be careful not to burn yourself). If you have an immersion blender, then you can instead blend it in the pan, otherwise, pour the puree back into the original hot pan when done.
• Add remainder of butter, cream, chicken mixture, and fenugreek leaves and let it simmer for at least 5-7 minutes.
• Pour mixture onto a large serving plate, perhaps over rice, garnish it with cream and fenugreek leaves.
• Butter Chicken is ready to be served!

INDIAN BUTTER CHICKEN NAAN PIZZA WITH LIME & PEANUT SLAW

Steps:

• Spray 4-quart slow cooker with cooking spray. In 10-inch skillet, melt butter with vegetable oil over medium heat. Add onion and garlic; cook about 5 minutes or until onion is softened.
• Stir in cardamom, garam masala, chili powder and coriander. Cook 2 minutes longer, stirring frequently.
• Stir in tomato paste and coconut milk. Heat until thoroughly blended. Pour mixture into slow cooker. Add chicken, yogurt and salt; stir to mix.
• Cover; cook on Low heat setting 6 to 8 hours (or on High heat setting 4 hours).
• To make pizzas, set oven control to broil. Place naan breads on ungreased cookie sheet. Top each with desired amount of chicken mixture. Sprinkle each with mozzarella cheese.
• Broil until cheese is melted.
• Just before serving, stir together all Slaw ingredients. Top pizzas with slaw.

INDIAN-STYLE BUTTER CHICKEN (MURGH MAKHANI)

Steps:

• Mix the ground red chile peppers, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, garam masala, salt, ginger, garlic, tomatoes, and yogurt in a large bowl. Stir the chicken pieces into the yogurt mixture, and let marinate in the refrigerator for 30 to 60 minutes.
• Melt the butter in a large skillet on medium heat and cook the bell pepper slices and onion until the onion begins to turn translucent, about 5 to 7 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add the chicken and marinade to the skillet. Cook, stirring constantly, 5 to 10 minutes until the chicken firms and is no longer pink in the center.
• Turn up heat to medium-high and mix in the cream and coriander. Cook until mixture just begins to boil, stirring continuously. Serve immediately.

INDIAN BUTTER CHICKEN (MURGH MAKHANI)

Steps:

• Melt the butter and oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the chicken, onion and garlic and stir fry it until the chicken is cooked and the onions are translucent. Pour contents into the slow cooker.
• Add remaining ingredients and mix gently.
• Cook on high for 3-4 hours. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Serve over steamed basmati rice and with Naan bread for dipping.

INSTANT POT INDIAN BUTTER CHICKEN

Steps:

• Toss the chicken with 1 1/2 teaspoons salt and a few grinds of pepper in a large bowl. Set aside at room temperature. Stir the garlic, ginger, garam masala, paprika, cumin, turmeric and cayenne with 2 tablespoons water in a small bowl.
• Set an Instant Pot to sauté on high. When the pot registers hot, add 2 tablespoons butter and let melt. Add the spice mixture and cook, stirring constantly, until thickened and sticking to the bottom of the pot, 2 to 3 minutes. Add the tomato puree, sugar and 1/2 teaspoon salt, scraping up the bottom of the pot. Turn off the pot.
• Add the chicken to the pot; stir to coat. Put on and lock the lid; make sure the steam valve is in the sealing position. Set the pot to pressure-cook on high for 5 minutes. When the time is up, let the pressure release naturally for 10 minutes, then carefully turn the steam valve to the venting position to manually release the remaining pressure. Turn off the pot and remove the lid.
• Stir the remaining 4 tablespoons butter and the heavy cream into the pot; season with salt and pepper. Divide the chicken and sauce among bowls. Top with cilantro and serve with naan or rice.

SEITAN MAKHANI (VEGAN-STYLE INDIAN BUTTER CHICKEN)

Steps:

• Heat 1 tablespoon peanut oil in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir in the shallot and onion; cook and stir until the onion has softened and turned translucent, about 5 minutes. Add the margarine, lemon juice, ginger, garlic, garam masala, curry powder, chili powder, cumin, and bay leaf. Cook and stir for 1 minute. Stir in the tomato puree and cook for 2 minutes more.
• Reduce the heat to low, and mix in the soy milk and soy yogurt. Simmer for 10 minutes, stirring frequently. Season to taste with cayenne, salt, and black pepper; remove from heat and set aside.
• Heat 1 1/2 teaspoons of peanut oil in a heavy skillet (preferably cast iron) over medium heat. Add the seitan and cook, stirring constantly, for 10 minutes. Reduce the heat to low and season the seitan with 2 teaspoons garam masala and a pinch of cayenne. Stir in about a 1/4 cup of the tomato-yogurt sauce and simmer for 2 to 3 minutes. Transfer the seitan mixture to the saucepan.
• Mix the cornstarch and cold water. Return the saucepan to the stove over medium-high heat. Stir the cornstarch mixture into the sauce. Bring to a boil; reduce the heat and simmer until the sauce has thickened, about 5 to 10 minutes.

INDIAN SLOW COOKER BUTTER CHICKEN

Steps:

• Whisk Greek yogurt, 1 tablespoon garam masala, lemon juice, cumin, cinnamon, cayenne pepper, black pepper, ginger, and salt together in a bowl and pour into a resealable plastic bag. Add chicken, and work the marinade into the chicken until it is coated. Squeeze out excess air and seal the bag. Marinate in the refrigerator for 1 hour to overnight.
• Transfer chicken and marinade to a slow cooker. Add heavy cream, tomato sauce, garlic, jalapeno pepper, remaining 1 tablespoon garam masala, butter, cumin, paprika, and salt; mix with a ladle to combine.
• Cover and cook on Low for 5 hours, or on High for 3 hours, until chicken juices run clear.
• Whisk cornstarch and cold water in a small bowl until completely combined, adding more water if necessary. Add to the slow cooker. Mix in ketchup. Cook on High for an additional 20 minutes. Serve with cilantro.

SLOW COOKER INDIAN BUTTER CHICKEN

Steps:

• Heat butter and olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onion and garlic; cook and stir until onion has softened and turned translucent, about 10 minutes.
• Add chicken to the skillet; stir in tomato paste, curry paste, curry powder, chili powder, tandoori masala, garam masala, cayenne pepper, and cardamom. Cook and stir until fragrant, 2 to 3 minutes.
• Shake coconut milk thoroughly and stir into the skillet. Add yogurt and stir to combine. Pour everything into a slow cooker and season with salt. Cook on High until chicken is tender and sauce has reduced to desired consistency, 4 to 6 hours.

INDIAN BUTTER CHICKEN SLOW COOKER

Steps:

• Use a 5 quart (20 cups) or larger crockpot. Carefully sew together the cardamom pods using a needle and thread. You can put them in a little cheese cloth bundle, instead, if you have that in the house. Put chicken in crockpot, and add onion, garlic, and all of the dry spices. Plop in the butter and tomato paste. Add lemon juice and coconut milk. Cover and cook on low for 8 hours, or high for 4. The chicken should shred easily with 2 forks when fully cooked.
• Stir in plain yogurt 15 minutes before serving. Discard cardamom pods. Salt to taste, serve with white or brown basmati rice.

INDIAN BUTTER CHICKEN (FROM THE SPICE AND HERB BIBLE)

Steps:

• Mix one half Tabdoori spice blend with yogurt and marinate chicken overnight.
• Next day, grill the chicken while preparing the sauce as follows.
• In a pan, melt butter, add ground cumin and stir fry 30 seconds.
• Add garlic and onion, stir fry for 2-3 minutes.
• Mix together remainder Tandoori spice blend with curry powder, tomato paste, tomato sauce, chutney, ground almonds and garam masala, then add to sauce.
• Simmer a few minutes, then add cooked chicken (you may cut up chicken into smaller pieces, if desired), along with any remaining marinade and pan drippings.
• Add coriander leaves, cream, coconut milk, and add salt to taste.
• Simmer gently and allow to reduce a little.