Authentic Butter Chicken Indian recipe

"Butter Chicken, or Murgh Makhani, is a beloved Indian dish featuring juicy marinated chicken cooked in a velvety tomato-butter sauce. It’s rich, mildly spiced, and perfect with naan or basmati rice."

Easy cooking and Authentic Butter Chicken is a favourite Indian recipe is a rich and creamy dish that’s packed with warm spices and a velvety tomato-based sauce. This recipe delivers an authentic flavour while being simple enough for home cooking. Whether you're a seasoned chef or a beginner, you'll love this melt-in-your-mouth Indian classic!

Butter Chicken

Ingredients for Butter Chicken:

For the Chicken Marinade:

• 500g boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
• ⅓ cup plain yogurt
• 1 tbsp minced garlic
• ¾ tbsp minced or finely grated ginger
• 1½ tsp garam masala (spices)
• ¾ tsp turmeric
• ¾ tsp ground cumin
• ¾ tsp red chilli powder
• ¾ tsp salt

For the Sauce:                                                        

Chicken Marination

• 1½ tbsp olive oil
• 1½ tbsp ghee (or ¾ tbsp butter + ¾ tbsp oil)
• ¾ large onion, finely chopped
• 1 tbsp minced garlic
• ¾ tbsp minced or grated ginger
• 1¼ tsp ground cumin
• 1¼ tsp garam masala
• ¾ tsp ground coriander
• 300g crushed tomatoes
• ¾ tsp red chilli powder (adjust for heat preference)
• 1 tsp salt (or to taste)
• 2-3 spoon sugar
• ¾ cup thickened cream (heavy cream or evaporated milk for a lighter option)
• ¾ tbsp sugar
• ½ tsp kasoori methi (dried fenugreek leaves)
• ¼ cup cashew nuts (let it fry 2-3 minutes with chopped onion)
• Fresh cilantro for garnish

How to cook butter chicken:

Fried chicken

Marinate the Chicken:

Combine chicken with yogurt, garlic, ginger, and spices. Let marinate for 30 minutes or overnight.

Fry the Chicken:

Heat oil and fry the marinated chicken 3 minutes per side until lightly golden. Set aside.

Sauce preparation

Prepare the Sauce:

In the same pan, melt butter or ghee. Sauté onions until soft. Add garlic and ginger and cashew nut cooking until fragrant (~1 min).

Add Spices & Tomatoes:

Stir in cumin, garam masala, coriander and sugar Cook for 20 seconds to enhance flavours. Pour in crushed tomatoes, chilli powder and salt. Simmer for 10 minutes until thickened.

Blend with Cashew nuts:

Remove from heat and blend the sauce along with cashew nuts  paste until smooth.
"Strain the gravy to remove any remaining tomato skins, ensuring a smooth and velvety texture."

Cooking Butter Chicken sauce

Straining Sause

Finish with Cream & Fenugreek:    

Return the sauce to the pan and stir in cream, sugar, and kasoori methi.

Combine & Cook:

Add the chicken back and let simmer for 8-10 minutes until fully cooked.

Serve & Garnish: 

Chicken added to the sauce -cream-kasoori methi

Garnish with cilantro and enjoy with warm naan or basmati rice!

Tips for Perfect Butter Chicken:

Adjust Spice Levels: For extra heat, add more red chilli powder or diced green chillies. For a milder version, reduce the chilli.

Consistency Control: If the sauce thickens too much, add 1-2 tbsp water or cream.

Best Pairings for Butter Chicken Naan or Roti – Soft, buttery naan or whole wheat roti helps scoop up the delicious sauce.

Basmati Rice – Fluffy, fragrant basmati rice balances the richness of the dish.
Jeera Rice – Cumin-flavoured rice adds an extra layer of warmth and spice.
Paratha – A flaky, layered Indian flatbread that complements the creamy texture.
Pulao – Lightly spiced rice with vegetables or nuts enhances the meal.
Pickled Onions & Salad – A fresh, tangy side to cut through the richness.
Raita – Yogurt-based raita (with cucumber or mint) cools down the spice.
Papad – Crispy lentil wafers add crunch and contrast.

"Indulge in creamy, spiced Butter Chicken—tender marinated chicken simmered in a luscious tomato and butter sauce. A restaurant-style Indian classic at home."