Creamy Delight: Butter Chicken

Few days back we happened to watch Celebrity Chef, Gordon Ramsay’s Great Escape to India on the Internet where he explores India’s culinary delights. One of his first stops was to taste the world famous ‘Butter Chicken’ in one of Delhi’s famous restaurants. His craving for the authentic Butter Chicken made us realize how popular it is world over. Not many restaurants abroad serve the real Butter Chicken. So we thought why not give the recipe to make it in your own kitchen.

Crazy intense craving for creamy and spicy homemade butter chicken can be justified only if you can practically taste the soft buttery chicken in your mouth, okay, it is quite dramatic but you kind of get the idea. It is one of the Indian curries for which you can get everything you need from the local supermarket.

So about that BUTTER chicken. Ironically you don't have to add dollops of butter to get the restaurant style taste, simply replace it with half & half or whole milk, with just a hint of butter...it's all about the creamy sauce when it comes to butter chicken...

For the Marinade

½ cup plain yogurt, full fat

1 tbsp lemon juice

1 tsp turmeric powder

2 tsp garam masala

½ tsp chili powder or cayenne pepper powder

1 tsp ground cumin

1 tsp coriander powder

1 tbsp fresh grated ginger

2 garlic cloves, crushed

1 tbsp dried fenugreek leaves (crushed between fingers)

1.5 lb / 750 g chicken , cut into bite size pieces

For the Curry

1 tbsp vegetable oil

1tbsp butter

1 cup chopped onions (2 medium size )

1 cup tomato diced (roasted it with garlic to give an extra  smokey flavor to the curry )

1 tsp coriander powder

1½ tsp chili powder

½ tsp cumin powder

½ tsp turmeric powder

1 tbsp sugar

1½ tsp  ginger garlic paste

¾ cup half & half milk

salt as per taste

Cilantro to garnish

Instruction

Chicken : In a medium bowl, combine the ingredients under marinade, whisk until smooth, adjust seasonings to preference. Add the chicken and allow to marinate for at least 30 minutes or  ideally for 12-24 hours, covered in the refrigerator.  Pre-heat the oven to 350°, place the chicken in a baking tray and toss it in  the oven for about 10 -15 min (check in between ) till its slightly charred.

BUTTER CHICKEN SAUCE: Heat the oil & butter in a heavy bottom pot over medium heat. Add the onions, sugar and  sauté  for about 5-7 minutes, allow the onions to caramelize slightly. Add ginger and garlic paste and let it cook for 30 seconds.  Add the roasted tomatoes along with the chili powder, coriander powder, and cumin powder and continue to cook for 10-12 minutes, if the mixture starts bubbling rapidly, add about ¼ cup of water and continue to cook. Remove from heat, add the mixture to a blender and blend until smooth, you may need a few tablespoons of water to help it blend.

Assembly: Add the butter chicken sauce to the chicken with half & half milk to the pot and reheat  through. When the sauce regains its consistency, add the crushed fenugreek leaves and  finally garnish chopped cilantro. Serve over basmati rice or with naan....

Alternatives: Instead of charring the chicken in the oven, you can cook it directly in the pot for 10-12 min,  and follow the assembly step.

You can also marinate the chicken with 2 tbsp of tandoori masala, yoghurt & 2 tsp ginger garlic paste,  and let it sit for 12-24 hours, covered in the refrigerator. You could use chicken thighs as well, Some may even tell you it’s more flavorful that way.

If you want the smoky flavor then dice the tomato with 3-4 pods of garlic and toss it in the oven for 5-8 min (you can see the tomato slightly roasted ) giving an extra smoky flavor.

Vegetarians don't be disappointed you can replace chicken with paneer/tofu and follow the assembly steps for paneer butter masala

With a little weekend prep work this recipe can be made on weeknight. Make the sauce (and freeze it before hand) and marinate the chicken on Sunday and put it together in about 20- 25 minutes on a weekday. That’s faster than ordering take-out ;)  So skip the take out and make Butter Chicken at home using this recipe.

Happy finger licking !!!!