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Quick & Easy Homemade Butter Chicken

Quick & Easy Homemade Butter Chicken

A simplified version of the Indian take-out classic Butter Chicken; rich and spicy with not an overwhelming amount of heat.
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Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Course Main Course
Cuisine Indian
Servings 4 servings
Calories 600 kcal

Equipment

  • Dutch oven
  • blender

Ingredients
  

Chicken

  • 8 large boneless skinless chicken thighs cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 3 tablespoon butter
  • 3 tablespoon peanut oil
  • 3 teaspoon garam masala plus 4 tablespoon later in the recipe
  • Salt to season
  • Pepper to season
  • 6 cloves minced garlic
  • 1 large white onion diced
  • 6 large ripe tomatoes diced (about 4 cups or use 3 cups canned tomatoes)
  • 4 seeded green chilies chopped, substitute red chili paste or cayenne pepper to taste if needed
  • ½ cup plain unsweetened yogurt
  • 1 teaspoon ground cardamom
  • 1 teaspoon freshly ground nutmeg
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 2 tablespoon chili powder
  • 2 tablespoon lemon juice
  • 4 tablespoon finely grated fresh ginger
  • ¼ cup melted butter
  • 1 cup chicken stock
  • 2 tablespoon honey more or less to taste
  • ½ cup cream

Instructions
 

  • Cut boneless skinless chicken thighs into bite-sized pieces. If using chicken breast, be cautious as it may dry out when simmered.
  • Sauté chicken thighs in a Dutch oven after seasoning with salt, pepper, and 3 teaspoon garam masala for 4 to 5 minutes. Remove from pan.
  • Add minced garlic and diced white onion to the pan and sauté until softened.
  • Increase heat and add diced tomatoes, sauté until they form a chunky sauce.
  • Blend sautéed tomatoes, onions, green chilies, yogurt, remaining garam masala, spices, lemon juice, ginger, 1 clove minced garlic, and melted butter until smooth. Return to pot.
  • Add chicken stock and simmer until sauce reduces by about ¼.
  • Reintroduce chicken to the pot and simmer slowly for 10 to 15 minutes. Stir in honey and cream.
  • Simmer for an additional minute or two before serving with rice or naan.

Notes

For a vegetarian version, omit chicken and add 2 cups of cooked chickpeas and 2 cups of cooked lentils during last simmering minutes. Adjust spice amounts to taste.

Nutrition

Serving: 1servingCalories: 600kcalCarbohydrates: 20gProtein: 32gFat: 45gSaturated Fat: 25gPolyunsaturated Fat: 5gMonounsaturated Fat: 10gCholesterol: 150mgSodium: 800mgPotassium: 800mgFiber: 3gSugar: 5gVitamin A: 15IUVitamin C: 30mgCalcium: 5mgIron: 15mg
Keyword Butter Chicken, Chicken Recipe, Easy Recipe, Homemade, Quick Dinner, Spicy
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