1. Marinate the chicken

Start by marinating the chicken. Combine all the marinade ingredients in a bowl and mix well. Add the chicken chunks and ensure each piece is well-coated.

Allow the chicken to marinate for at least 1 hour, but if you have time, marinate it overnight for even more flavor.

2. Cook the chicken

Next, heat some oil or ghee in a large pan over medium heat. Add the marinated chicken pieces and cook for 7-8 minutes until they are browned and cooked through.

Don’t overcrowd the pan, so cook in batches if necessary. Set the chicken aside once cooked.

3. Prepare the sauce

In the same pan, add the ghee or butter and let it melt. Add the cumin seeds and cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant. Then, add the diced onion and garlic, and sauté until softened.

Stir in the garam masala, chilli powder, and a pinch of salt.

4. Add tomato paste and cream

Once the onions are translucent and the spices have released their aromas, stir in the tomato paste or puree. Allow it to cook for a minute, then pour in the double cream.

Mix well, and let the sauce simmer on low heat for 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally. This will allow the flavours to blend and the sauce to thicken.

5. Combine chicken and sauce

Add the cooked chicken back into the pan and stir it into the sauce. Let everything simmer together for another 5-10 minutes to ensure the chicken absorbs the flavours of the sauce.

6. Garnish and serve

Once the Butter Chicken is done, add a squeeze of fresh lemon juice to brighten the dish. Garnish with a dollop of cream and some fresh coriander for extra flavour and colour.

Serve your Butter Chicken with fluffy basmati rice, freshly made naan, or roti. You can also pair it with a simple cucumber raita for a refreshing balance.

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Tips for Perfect Butter Chicken:

• Marinate Overnight: If you can, let the chicken marinate overnight. This gives the spices time to fully penetrate the meat, making it more flavourful and tender.
• Use Ghee for Authentic Flavour: Ghee, a clarified butter commonly used in Indian cooking, adds a rich, authentic flavour to the dish. If you don’t have ghee, you can substitute with regular butter, though ghee is preferred for its depth.
• Control the Spice Level: The recipe calls for chilli powder, but you can adjust the spice level by adding more or less. If you prefer a milder flavor, reduce the amount of chili powder or leave it out entirely.
• Cream vs. Yogurt: While the recipe uses double cream to make the sauce luxuriously rich, some variations of Butter Chicken use a combination of cream and yogurt. If you want a tangier version, feel free to experiment with yogurt.

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FAQs

How long should I marinate the chicken?
For the best flavour, marinate the chicken for at least 1 hour. If you have more time, marinating overnight gives the chicken even more flavour.

Can I skip frying the chicken?
Frying the chicken helps develop a deeper flavour, but if you’re short on time, you can skip this step. Just be sure to cook the chicken thoroughly.

How can I make the sauce richer?
Add more cream to the sauce for a richer, creamier texture. You can also add a little more butter for extra indulgence.

Can I make this in advance?
Yes! Butter chicken tastes even better the next day as the flavours continue to meld. Store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.

What should I serve with butter chicken?
Butter chicken is best served with fluffy basmati rice, freshly made naan, or roti to soak up the delicious sauce.

Can I adjust the spice level?
Absolutely! You can adjust the heat by using less chilli powder or adding a bit more if you like it spicy.