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–+ servings

Chicken Makhani (Indian Butter Chicken)

MITCHMAN21 with Modifications by: Shandell Humphreys
This is a classic Indian dish, and is certainly one of our favorites! Butter Chicken is a full flavored dish that compliments chicken well!
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine Indian
Servings 6

Equipment

  • Stovetop

Ingredients
  

  • 1 Tbsp Peanut Oil
  • 1 Shallot Finely Chopped
  • ¼ White Onion Chopped
  • 2 Tbsp Butter
  • 2 Tsp Lemon Juice
  • 1 Tbsp Ginger Garlic Paste
  • 1 Tsp Garam Masala
  • 1 Tsp Kashmiri Chili Powder (You can substitute regular Chili Powder, but you should really have Kashmiri!)
  • 1 Tsp Ground Cumin
  • 1 Bay Leaf
  • ¼ Plain Yogurt
  • 1 C Half and Half
  • 1 C Tomato Puree
  • ¼ Tsp Cayenne Pepper Or to Taste
  • 1 Pinch Salt
  • 1 Pinch Black Pepper
  • Brown Sugar To Taste
  • 1 Tbsp Peanut Oil
  • 1 lb Chicken Breasts Cut into Bite-size Pieces (If using more chicken, you must increase sauce amount!)
  • 1 Tsp Garam Masala
  • 1 Pinch Cayenne Pepper
  • ¼ C Water
  • ¼ C Cashews Ground

Instructions
 

  • Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a large saucepan over medium-high heat. Sauté shallot and onion until soft and translucent. Stir in butter, lemon juice, ginger-garlic paste, 1 teaspoon garam masala, chili powder, cumin, and bay leaf. Cook, stirring, for 1 minute. Add tomato sauce, cook for 2 minutes, stirring frequently. Stir in half and half and yogurt. Reduce heat to low, simmer for 10 minutes, stirring frequently. Season with salt and pepper. Remove from heat and set aside.
  • Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Cook chicken until lightly browned, about 10 minutes. Reduce heat, and season with 1 teaspoon garam masala and cayenne. Stir in a few spoonfuls of sauce, and simmer until liquid has reduced and chicken is no longer pink. Stir cooked chicken into sauce.
  • Mix together cashews and water, then stir into the sauce. Cook for 5-10 minutes, or until thickened.

Notes

You can substitute the chicken in this recipe for paneer, shrimp, goat, or any other protein of your choice! They all work well here. 
You can adjust the spiciness of the sauce by adjusting the Cayenne Pepper and Chili Powder. 
Keyword Chicken, Curry, Rice
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!