Introduction

Butter chicken also known as murgh makhani is an east Indian dish acclaimed for its flavorful, tomato based sauce and Tender chicken. Currently popular worldwide for the way it balances creamy, rich and undertones of spice, this is a delightful dish. Served best it is with naan or rice, This dish contains a little of everything, which has made it very popular among both classes of people who take their time to read and listen. This site but a detailed how to prepare for those who would wish to replicate this restaurant quality meal in your kitchen.

Origin of Butter Chicken:

Murgh makhani or what most people know as butter chicken is an Indian dish that emerged in Delhi in the 1950s. This delicacy was invented by its pattern Kundan Lal Gujral, founder of Moti Mahal restaurant, as a way to utilize overcooked tandoori chicken. Tandoori chicken is marinated chicken is cooked in a clay oven called a tandoor while the chicken is accompanied by a creamy tomato sauce coated with butter and parmesan spices. It quickly became popular as the main ingredient in Indian cuisine, after gaining fame around the world in the years that followed. The butter chicken has is first mentioned in English in 1975 thereby putting its popularity worldwide into more concrete terms.

How Butter Chicken Took Over the World

• Culinary Innovation: The blending of the taste and rich and mild spicy feelings with creamy texture contributed to Butter Chicken to become a popular delicacy.
• Popularity in Indian Restaurants: With the increase in demand for Indian food across many western nations, Butter Chicken remained to be the end product that people who wished to try out Indian food yearned for.
• Cultural Significance: Other than the flavour it brings, Butter Chicken represents Indian warm reception. It is a dish that; is usually prepared for festive occasions and functions.

What are the essential ingredients of the Recipe

For making perfect recipe essential ingredients are required at the right amount. The essential ingredients are listed below as:

Essential Ingredients

1. Chicken: Normally, boneless chicken thighs are used because they are considered juicy.
2. Yogurt: As applied in marinating, it softens the chicken making it tender, and provides a sour taste.
3. Spices: Cumin, coriander and garam masala and turmeric form the foundation for the dish.
4. Tomatoes: Fresh or canned tomatoes make up the enhancing gravy.
5. Butter and Cream: Absolutely required for achieving that ‘creamy’ feel that comes with this product.
6. Fresh Cilantro: It is used to garnish the food in order to give it color and to freshen it.

Optional Ingredients

1. Nuts: To enrich the sauce more cashews or almond can also be blended and added to the sauce.
2. Kasuri Methi: Dried fenugreek leaves are special condiments in terms of their taste.
3. Green Chili: Great for those of you who like adding a little kick to your meals.

List of Ingredients

• 500g boneless chicken thighs
• 1 cup plain yogurt
• 2 tablespoons ginger-garlic paste
• 2 teaspoons garam masala
• 1 teaspoon turmeric powder
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• Salt to taste
• 3 tablespoons butter
• 1 large onion, finely chopped
• 2 cups crushed tomatoes
• 1 cup heavy cream
• Fresh cilantro for garnish

Essential tip before making the recipe

• Fresh and good quality ingredients should be recommended to be used on food.
• Depending on how hot you want the chili to be you can add more chili powder.
• For deeper penetration of spices for great flavoring, marinate the chicken for not less than one hour.

Step by step guide for making the recipe

1. Marinating the chicken

In a bowl add yogurt, chopped ginger-garlic paste, garam masala, turmeric powder, red chili powder and salt. Include the chicken, making sure that into is thoroughly coated. Let it marinate for at least 1 hour, over night for more flavours.

2. Cooking the chicken

Place a tablespoon of butter into a pan and place the pan on stovetop, set at a medium heat. Finally stir in the marinated chicken and fry until a crispy brown and the chicken is cooked. Pull out the chicken from pot and put it aside.

3. Preparing the sauce

Repeat the same process in the same pan with an addition of another butter tablespoon melting the onions until they turn golden brown. Then put the crushed tomatoes in and bring the sauce to a simmer for around 10 minutes stirring occasionally.

4. Blending it all together

Sauté the chicken in the remaining olive oil then add the cooked chicken back into the pan. Bake in the oven at 375 °F for 10 minutes and then add heavy cream and stir gently again. Leave it to cook gently for the next 5-10 minutes until the locality of flavors.

5. Garnishing and serve

This goes well garnished with fresh cilantro and is best served hot along side naan or rice. You won’t be able to resist!

Tips for the perfect Butter Chicken

To make your butter chicken delicious you need to follow some tips mentioned below:

• Marinate Longer: The longer one marinates the chicken the tastier it will be with the marinade!
• Use Ghee: In the spirit of being traditional use butter and replace it with ghee for the best flavors.
• Don’t Rush the Cooking: I must add that, let the sauce cook to simmer, this improves its taste.
• Adjust Spice Levels: You can increase or decrease the amount of spices that you like to put in the dish.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Using too much spice: The Butter Chicken has a relatively bland taste thus spices should be moderated.
• Skipping the marination: Reducing and marinating allows great absorption of spices and flavor and makes the meat tender.
• Overcooking the chicken: Check that the chicken is only cook and tender inside.

Serving suggestion:

Butter Chicken is usually complimented best with Indian bread like naan or paratha. It’s also perfect for jeera rice or plain steamed basmati rice. Enjoy this with it hot and savour the buttery goodness!

Variation of Butter Chicken

1. Butter chicken with cashew sauce

• You may also include cashews soaked and blended into the gravy for variety of nutty taste. The beauty of the dish is that it doesn’t use cream yet will produce a thick, velvety sauce.

2. Vegetarian Butter Chicken

• Replace chicken with paneer or tofu to have a vegetarian version of this dish that will taste as wonderful.

3. Butter chicken pizza

• None of us is downs for having Butter Chicken in a different way than is customary or expected. Just spread some Butter Chicken sauce on a pizza base and sprinkle cheese and then bake to give it a nice twist!

4. Butter chicken pasta

• Try seasoned cooked pasta together with Butter Chicken sauce and enjoy an Indo-Italian style dish.

Conclusion

Butter Chicken is all-time delicious food which represents authentic Indian taste. While creating them at home might be involving a few extra processes the outcome is worth the effort. Using this guide you are well equipped to prepare a scrumptious professional grade Butter Chicken for your loved ones . A recipe as simple as Butter Chicken shared to spread happiness while cooking and serving this iconic dish.

FAQ’s

1. Is it possible to replace the chicken thigh with chicken breast?
Yes, but chicken thigh meat is advised for those who love juicy chicken meat.

2. Can I cook Butter Chicken without using cream?
Instead of cream, you can use coconut milk or a cashew cream.

3. How do I make it spicier?
Add more of chili powder or even fresh green chillies to improve the taste.

4. Could I make the gravy prior to the day I want to serve it?
Of course, the gravy can be prepared one day in advance and stored in the refrigerator.

5. What goes well with Butter Chicken and what type of rice should be made?
Butter Chicken goes well with Garlic naan or jeera rice.

If you are a non veg lover Try out some of our non-veg recipe listed below:

• Chicken Dum Biryani