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Authentic butter chicken in a bowl

Authentic Butter Chicken

This authentic butter chicken, also known as "Murgh Makhani," is a delicious chicken curry from Delhi, India. It's incredibly flavorful, with a balance of spices and a rich and creamy sauce.
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Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 1 minute
Course Main Course
Cuisine Indian
Servings 2
Calories 813 kcal

Equipment

Ingredients
 
 

For the Chicken Marinade:

  • 500 g Chicken
  • Salt to taste
  • 1 tsp Kashmiri Red Chili Powder
  • 1 tsp Ginger Garlic Paste
  • 1/2 Lime juiced
  • 1 tbsp Mustard Oil
  • 2 tbsp Hung Curd or Thick Yogurt with reduced water
  • 1 tsp Kasuri Methi dried fenugreek leaves
  • 1 tbsp Tandoori Masala

For the Smoked Butter:

  • 2 tbsp Butter
  • Coal

For the Makhani Gravy:

  • 1 tsp Oil
  • 1 tsp Ghee
  • 2 tbsp Butter
  • 1 tsp Cumin Seeds
  • 3 Green Cardamom
  • 1 Black Cardamom
  • 3 Cloves
  • 1 Stick Cinnamon
  • 1/4 piece Mace
  • 100 g Red onion
  • 1 Bay Leaf
  • 10 g Ginger chopped
  • 10 g Garlic chopped
  • 10 g Coriander stems
  • 500 g Tomatoes
  • 1 tsp Salt
  • 1 tsp Kashmiri Red Chili Powder
  • 1/2 tsp Turmeric
  • 1 tsp Cumin Powder
  • 1 tsp Coriander Powder
  • 1/2 tsp Garam Masala Powder
  • 30 g Cashews
  • Water as required

For Final Assembly:

  • 1 tsp Kasuri Methi dried fenugreek leaves
  • 30-50 ml Heavy Cream
  • 1 tsp Honey adjust to taste

Instructions
 

  • Marinate Chicken: Combine chicken, salt, Kashmiri red chili powder, ginger garlic paste, and lime juice in a bowl. In a separate bowl, whisk mustard oil, Kashmiri red chili powder, yogurt, Kasuri Methi, and tandoori masala. Add marinated chicken to this mixture and set aside.
  • Smoke the Chicken: Place a folded aluminium foil over a ramekin, forming a cup-like shape. Add butter to the ramekin. Place both inside the bowl with marinated chicken. Heat the charcoal on a stove, place in the foil cup, drizzle ghee over it, and cover the bowl with a lid to smoke.
  • Prepare Makhani Gravy: Heat ghee and butter in a deep sauté pan over medium. Add cumin seeds, cardamom (both types), cloves, cinnamon, mace, and red onion. Sauté until aromatic. Stir in bay leaf, garlic, ginger, coriander stems, tomatoes, salt, chili powder, cumin, turmeric, coriander, and garam masala. Cook for 2-3 minutes. Add water, cashews, cover, and simmer for 15-20 minutes. Once cooled slightly, blend to a smooth gravy.
  • Cook Chicken: In a large non-stick pan, cook chicken over medium heat. Optionally, give a quick grill over an open flame or tandoor. Let it rest and slice into strips.
  • Combine and Serve: Strain Makhani Gravy through a sieve into a sauté pan. Add chicken, honey, Kasuri Methi, heavy cream, and smoked butter. Stir well. Serve garnished with additional Kasuri Methi, cream, and smoked butter.

Nutrition

Calories: 813kcalCarbohydrates: 40gProtein: 53gFat: 53gSaturated Fat: 23gPolyunsaturated Fat: 6gMonounsaturated Fat: 19gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 215mgSodium: 2957mgPotassium: 1899mgFiber: 8gSugar: 15gVitamin A: 3075IUVitamin C: 46mgCalcium: 168mgIron: 6mg
Keyword authentic butter chicken
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