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Stress-Free Butter Chicken Dish for Four Recipe

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★★★★

3.9 from 71 reviews

This stress-free Butter Chicken recipe offers a rich and creamy Indian-inspired dish featuring tender chicken pieces marinated in yogurt and spices, then simmered in a luscious tomato and cream sauce. Perfect for a comforting family meal, it balances spices and creaminess with a buttery finish, served best over fragrant Basmati rice.

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken Marinade

  • 1 pound of chicken breast (bite-sized pieces)
  • 1/2 cup of plain yogurt
  • 1 tablespoon of lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon of ground turmeric
  • 1 teaspoon of ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon of ground coriander
  • 1/2 teaspoon of ground paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon of salt

Cooking

  • 1 1/2 tablespoons of vegetable oil
  • 1 medium onion, finely chopped
  • 2 cloves of garlic, minced
  • 1 thumb-sized piece of ginger, minced
  • 1 can (200 ml) of tomato sauce
  • 1/2 cup of heavy cream (or more, to taste)
  • 3 tablespoons of butter
  • 1/2 teaspoon of garam masala
  • 1 teaspoon of fenugreek leaves, crushed (optional)
  • Fresh cilantro, chopped (for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Marinade: In a bowl, combine the plain yogurt, lemon juice, ground turmeric, ground cumin, ground coriander, ground paprika, and salt. Stir well to form a smooth mixture.
  2. Marinate the Chicken: Add the bite-sized chicken breast pieces to the marinade, coating them thoroughly. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, preferably overnight, to allow the flavors to infuse the chicken.
  3. Heat Oil and Sear Chicken: Heat 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil in a large pan over medium heat. Add the marinated chicken and sear until browned on all sides, ensuring the exterior is nicely caramelized. Remove the chicken from the pan and set it aside.
  4. Sauté Onions: In the same pan, add the remaining 1/2 tablespoon of vegetable oil. Add the finely chopped onion and sauté until the onions become golden brown, stirring occasionally for even cooking.
  5. Add Garlic and Ginger: Mix in the minced garlic and ginger, cooking for an additional 2 minutes until fragrant.
  6. Simmer Tomato Sauce: Pour the 200 ml of tomato sauce into the pan. Let it simmer gently for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking. Include the crushed fenugreek leaves if using during this step to enhance the aroma.
  7. Reintroduce Chicken: Return the cooked chicken pieces to the pan, stirring well to coat them evenly with the tomato sauce base.
  8. Add Cream and Butter: Pour in the heavy cream and add the butter. Stir continuously until the butter fully melts and the sauce turns creamy and rich in texture.
  9. Final Simmer and Season: Allow the butter chicken to simmer for another 5 minutes on low heat to blend all flavors. Sprinkle the garam masala evenly over the dish and stir to incorporate.
  10. Garnish and Serve: Remove from heat, garnish the butter chicken generously with fresh chopped cilantro, and serve hot over a warm bed of Basmati rice for a complete meal.

Notes

  • For deeper flavor, marinate the chicken overnight instead of just one hour.
  • Adjust cream quantity to taste for desired richness.
  • Fenugreek leaves are optional but add a traditional subtle bitterness and aroma.
  • This dish pairs excellently with steamed Basmati rice or naan bread.
  • Use fresh ginger and garlic for the best flavor impact.
  • If you prefer a spicier variant, add a pinch of cayenne pepper or chili powder to the marinade.

Keywords: Butter Chicken, Indian Chicken Recipe, Creamy Chicken Curry, Easy Butter Chicken, Indian Cuisine, Chicken Curry Recipe

Find it online: https://foodiecara.com/stress-free-butter-chicken-dish-for-four-recipe/