Turkuaz Kitchen Butter Chicken

Turkuaz Kitchen Butter Chicken is made with chicken thighs, chicken breasts, plain yogurt, garlic, ginger, garam masala, turmeric, red chili powder, paprika, salt, cumin, butter, olive oil, onion, crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, cashews, red chilis, chicken broth or water, and cream.

This traditional Butter Chicken recipe makes a hearty dinner that takes about 2 hours and 30 minutes to prepare and can serve up to 6 people.

Turkuaz Kitchen Butter Chicken Ingredients

For The Chicken Marinade:

• 1 1/2 lb chicken thighs, large cubes
• 1/2 lb chicken breasts, large cubes
• 1/2 cup plain yogurt
• 2 medium cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tsp ginger purée
• 1 1/2 tsp Garam masala
• 1/2 tsp ground turmeric
• 1 tsp red chili powder
• 1/2 tsp paprika
• 1 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp ground cumin

For The Sauce:

• 2 1/2 tbsp butter, more to preference
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 large yellow onion, diced
• 2 large cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tsp ginger purée
• 2 tsp ground cumin
• 2 tsp garam masala
• 2 bay leaves
• 1 1/2 tsp red chili powder
• 1/2 tsp paprika
• 1 1/2 tsp salt, more to taste
• 1/2 tsp ground turmeric
• 14 oz (400g) crushed tomatoes
• 1 tbsp tomato paste
• 1/4 cup cashews
• 2 fresh or dried small red chilis
• 1 1/2 cup chicken broth or water
• 1/4 cup cream, more for serving

How To Make Turkuaz Kitchen Butter Chicken

1. Prepare the Chicken Marinade: In a large bowl, add the cubed chicken, yogurt, garlic, ginger, and all ground spices. Using a wooden spoon, mix till well combined and cover with plastic wrap. Let marinate in the fridge for at least 2 hours or overnight.
2. Cook the Chicken: The next day, heat a large skillet or non-stick pan over medium-high heat. Add olive oil and marinated chicken, sear the chicken on each side, cooking for 3-4 minutes. The chicken will not be fully cooked at this time. Remove the chicken from the pan and put it onto a plate.
3. Prepare the Sauce: In the same pan, as long as the drippings are not too dark, add the butter and melt over medium heat. Add onion and cook for 1-2 minutes; add garlic and ginger and continue to cook for 2-3 minutes until lightly browned. Add all of the spices, crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, cashews, and red chili peppers. Stir to combine and cook for 2-3 minutes. Then add chicken broth or water, stir with a wooden spoon, and cover with a lid. Cook over medium-low heat for 7-10 minutes until the onions are tender. Remove from the heat, remove bay leaves from the sauce, and blend the sauce using an immersion or stand blender. Place a fine mesh strainer over your pot and strain fully so the sauce is nice and smooth.
4. Cook the Chicken in the Sauce: Place the sauce on the stove over medium heat and add the bay leaves and the chicken pieces. Add the cream and if the sauce still looks too thick, add an additional 1/2 cup water or chicken broth. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and cook for 13-15 minutes or until the chicken is fully cooked. Remove from the heat.
5. Serve: Serve immediately with a drizzle of cream fresh cilantro and warm paratha or naan.

Recipe Tips

• Marinate the Chicken Well: Marinate the chicken for at least 2 hours or overnight to make it tender and full of flavor.
• Sear the Chicken Properly: Cook the chicken on each side for 3-4 minutes to get a nice golden-brown crust. This adds great flavor.
• Blend the Sauce Smoothly: Blend the sauce well after cooking to make it smooth and creamy.
• Strain the Sauce: Strain the sauce to remove any leftover bits of spices or cashews, making it smooth and lump-free.
• Adjust Consistency: If the sauce is too thick, add 1/2 cup of water or chicken broth to get the right consistency.

What To Serve With Butter Chicken

Butter Chicken pairs well with basmati rice, naan bread, roasted vegetables, or a simple salad. It can also be served alongside cucumber raita, mango chutney, dal, or pickled onions for a delicious and complete meal.

How To Store Butter Chicken

• Refrigerate: Store the butter chicken in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
• Freeze: Place the butter chicken in a freezer-safe container and freeze for up to 3 months. To thaw, transfer to the refrigerator overnight before reheating.

How To Reheat Leftovers

• In The Oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Place the butter chicken in an oven-safe dish, cover with foil, and heat for 20-25 minutes until hot.
• In The Microwave: Place the butter chicken in a microwave-safe dish, cover, and heat on medium power for 2-3 minutes, stirring halfway through.
• On The Stove: Heat the butter chicken in a pan over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until warmed through, about 5-7 minutes.

Butter Chicken Nutrition Facts

• Calories: 450
• Total Fat: 30g
• Saturated Fat: 10g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Cholesterol: 110mg
• Sodium: 850mg
• Total Carbohydrates: 20g
• Dietary Fiber: 3g
• Sugars: 6g
• Protein: 25g

Try More Turkuaz Kitchen Recipes:

• Turkuaz Kitchen Sourdough Bread
• Turkuaz Kitchen Pizza Dough
• Turkuaz Kitchen French Onion Soup
• Turkuaz Kitchen Chicken Parmesan