Rani’s Butter Chicken

Butter Chicken, or Murgh Makhani, is a creamy North Indian favorite that never goes out of style.

Tender chicken pieces simmer in a rich tomato-butter sauce infused with aromatic spices. Its velvety texture and mildly spiced flavor make it a crowd-pleaser for every occasion. It’s best enjoyed with warm naan or fragrant basmati rice for the ultimate comfort meal!

INGREDIENTS
  • 1 lb boneless chicken thigh/breast
  • 2 tsp ginger garlic paste
  • 2 tsp chili (paprika) powder
  • 2 tsp coriander powder
  • 2 tsp of oil of choice (ghee is preferred for best taste and aroma)
  • ½ tsp sugar
  • ½ tsp cumin seeds
  • ¼ tsp of garam masala (optional)
  • Salt
  • 1 small white onion, sliced 
  • 1 tbsp ginger garlic paste
  • Kasoori Methi (dried coriander leaves available in Indian grocery stores)
  • Cashew paste (10 cashews in half a cup of water)
  • Tomato purée (two tomatoes)
  • 1 tbsp tomato ketchup
  • ½ cup heavy whipping cream

INSTRUCTIONS
  1. Cut chicken thigh/breast boneless pieces into cubes.
  2. Marinate chicken with the ginger garlic paste, chili powder, coriander power, and salt to taste. Let rest for 10 minutes.
  3. Make the tomato purée and cashew paste.
  4. Shallow fry chicken in 2 tablespoons of oil of choice (ghee is preferred for best taste and aroma).
  5. Remove chicken pieces.
  6. In the same oil add cumin seeds, onion slices, and ginger garlic paste.
  7. Once the onion gets soft, add 2 tbsp of water and mix well in medium flame
  8. Add paprika powder, coriander powder, Kasoori Methi, cashew paste, and tomato purée.
  9. Slow cook for 10-15 minutes. Cool it down and grind to a fine paste
  10. In another pan, add 2 tbsp of butter or ghee, the purée, sugar, tomato ketchup, and heavy whipped cream.
  11. Add chicken to the gravy and mix well.
  12. (Optional) Sprinkle garam masala.
  13. Cover and simmer for five minutes.
  14. Serve hot and enjoy with basmati rice/Indian naan.