Description
Mumbaikar-style butter chicken brings rich, creamy magic from India’s culinary heart. Marinated tender chicken simmers in velvety tomato-cream sauce, delivering complex spices that dance across palates and transport diners to authentic subcontinental kitchens.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 1 lb (454 grams) boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
Spices and Seasonings:
- 2 teaspoons ground cumin
- 2 teaspoons ground coriander
- 1 teaspoon garam masala
- 1 teaspoon turmeric
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- Salt and pepper to taste
Wet Ingredients and Aromatics:
- 1 cup plain yogurt
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 onion, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated
- 1 can (14 oz / 400 grams) tomato sauce
- 1 cup heavy cream
Garnish and Serving:
- Fresh cilantro, chopped, for garnish
- Cooked rice or naan, for serving
Instructions
- Create a robust marinade by whisking together yogurt, lemon juice, cumin, coriander, garam masala, turmeric, chili powder, cinnamon, salt, and pepper in a spacious mixing container.
- Thoroughly coat chicken pieces in the aromatic marinade, ensuring each morsel is completely covered. Refrigerate for a minimum of 60 minutes or ideally overnight to intensify flavor penetration.
- Melt unsalted butter (113 grams or ) in a large skillet over medium temperature, creating a golden cooking base.
- Sauté finely chopped onions until they transform into a soft, translucent mixture, approximately 4-5 minutes, releasing their natural sweetness.
- Introduce minced garlic and freshly grated ginger, allowing their pungent aromatics to bloom and permeate the cooking environment for 1-2 minutes.
- Transfer marinated chicken into the skillet, cooking until exterior surfaces achieve a rich, golden-brown coloration, approximately 7-9 minutes, rotating pieces to ensure uniform cooking.
- Pour tomato sauce into the skillet, gently incorporating with the chicken and spice mixture. Reduce heat to low, allowing the dish to simmer and develop complex flavors for 15-18 minutes, stirring periodically.
- Incorporate heavy cream (120 milliliters or 4 fluid ounces), stirring gently to create a luxurious, velvety texture. Continue simmering for an additional 4-5 minutes.
- Finish the dish by garnishing with freshly chopped cilantro leaves, presenting a vibrant, aromatic butter chicken ready to be served alongside steamed basmati rice or warm naan bread.
Notes
- Marinate chicken for maximum flavor by letting it soak in the yogurt spice mixture overnight in the refrigerator.
- Cooking onions slowly releases their natural sweetness, creating a rich base for the sauce.
- Use fresh ginger and garlic to enhance the aromatic depth of the classic Indian dish.
- Simmer the chicken on low heat to ensure tender meat and allow spices to meld together.
- Finish with a splash of heavy cream for a luxurious, velvety texture that balances the spicy tomato sauce.
- Garnish with fresh cilantro to add a bright, herbal note that cuts through the richness of the dish.
- Prep Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: Indian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 485 kcal
- Sugar: 7 g
- Sodium: 580 mg
- Fat: 35 g
- Saturated Fat: 22 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 12 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 32 g
- Cholesterol: 190 mg