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Easy Indian Butter Chicken Recipe

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4.2 from 24 reviews

This Easy Indian Butter Chicken recipe features tender chicken pieces baked to perfection and simmered in a rich, creamy tomato-based sauce infused with garam masala and tandoori spices. The sauce is perfectly balanced—creamy without being too thick or thin—with caramelized onions adding a deep, sweet flavor. Ideal for a comforting meal that can be tailored to your spice preferences, it serves six and brings authentic Indian flavors to your table with minimal effort.

  • Total Time: 1 hr
  • Yield: 6 servings

Ingredients

Butter Chicken Sauce

  • 1 cup butter, divided
  • 1 onion, minced
  • 1 tablespoon minced garlic
  • 1 (15 ounce) can tomato sauce
  • 3 cups heavy cream
  • 2 teaspoons salt
  • 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • 1 teaspoon garam masala

Chicken

  • 1 ½ pounds skinless, boneless chicken breast, cut into bite-sized chunks
  • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
  • 2 tablespoons tandoori masala

Instructions

  1. Prepare Ingredients: Gather all ingredients to ensure you have everything on hand before starting the cooking process.
  2. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to prepare for baking the chicken chunks.
  3. Caramelize Onions: Melt 2 tablespoons of butter in a skillet over medium heat. Add minced onion and garlic, cooking slowly and stirring occasionally until the onion caramelizes to a dark brown color, about 15 minutes. This adds depth and sweetness to the sauce.
  4. Prepare Sauce: In a separate saucepan, combine the heavy cream, tomato sauce, remaining butter, salt, cayenne pepper, and garam masala. Heat over medium-high until it reaches a simmer.
  5. Simmer Sauce: Reduce heat to medium-low, cover the saucepan, and simmer the sauce for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking. Stir in the caramelized onions once done.
  6. Season Chicken: Toss the chicken pieces with vegetable oil to coat evenly, then sprinkle with tandoori masala for flavourful seasoning. Spread the chicken in a single layer on a baking sheet.
  7. Bake Chicken: Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake the chicken until no longer pink in the center, about 12 minutes.
  8. Combine and Final Simmer: Once the chicken is cooked, add it to the simmering sauce and cook together for an additional 5 minutes to meld the flavors.
  9. Serve: Serve the butter chicken hot with rice or naan bread for a delicious meal.

Notes

  • Adjust salt and spice levels to your taste, especially cayenne pepper for heat intensity.
  • Garam masala and tandoori masala can be found in the ethnic aisle or international section of most grocery stores.
  • Caramelizing the onions slowly is key to developing a rich flavor base for the sauce.
  • Ensure chicken pieces are spread evenly on the baking sheet to ensure uniform cooking.
  • For a lighter version, you can substitute heavy cream with half-and-half, but the sauce will be less rich.
  • This dish pairs beautifully with basmati rice or warm naan bread.
  • Author: Amelia
  • Prep Time: 15 mins
  • Cook Time: 45 mins
  • Category: Main Course
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: Indian

Find it online: https://recipesvibe.com/easy-indian-butter-chicken-recipe/