Best Butter Chicken Indian Cuisine (Print Version)

# Ingredients:

→ Chicken Marinade

01 - 680 g boneless chicken thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
02 - 120 ml plain yogurt
03 - 30 ml freshly squeezed lemon juice
04 - 10 g garam masala
05 - 5 g ground cumin
06 - 5 g ground coriander
07 - 5 g chili powder
08 - 5 g turmeric powder
09 - Salt, to taste

→ Sauce and Cooked Chicken

10 - 45 g butter, divided
11 - 1 large onion, finely chopped
12 - 4 cloves garlic, minced
13 - 2.5 cm ginger, grated
14 - 480 ml crushed tomatoes
15 - 240 ml heavy cream
16 - 5 g sugar
17 - Fresh cilantro, chopped, for garnish

→ For Serving

18 - Cooked basmati rice or warm naan

# Instructions:

01 - Combine yogurt, lemon juice, garam masala, cumin, coriander, chili powder, turmeric, and salt in a large bowl. Add chicken pieces, ensuring thorough coating. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour or preferably overnight.
02 - In a large skillet over medium heat, melt 30 g of butter. Add chopped onion and cook until golden brown, 8–10 minutes. Stir in minced garlic and grated ginger, cooking for 1 minute until aromatic.
03 - Increase heat to medium-high. Add marinated chicken to the skillet, reserving the marinade. Sauté for 5–7 minutes, turning to brown evenly on all sides.
04 - Add crushed tomatoes and reserved marinade to the skillet. Bring to a simmer. Reduce heat to low, cover, and cook for 15–20 minutes, or until chicken is cooked through and tender.
05 - Uncover skillet and stir in heavy cream and sugar. Simmer uncovered for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce is creamy and slightly thickened. Adjust salt if needed.
06 - Spoon over cooked basmati rice or serve with warm naan. Garnish generously with freshly chopped cilantro before serving.

# Notes:

01 - For optimal flavor, marinate the chicken overnight. Use full-fat yogurt and heavy cream for a rich, velvety sauce.