Authentic Chicken Makhani (Butter Chicken)
Indulge in the rich and creamy delight of Authentic Chicken Makhani, also known as Butter Chicken. This traditional Indian dish features tender, marinated chicken pieces that are grilled to perfection, then enveloped in a luscious, spiced tomato sauce enriched with cream and butter. Though this recipe may require some time and effort, the result is an unforgettable dish that is sure to impress your guests at dinner parties or family gatherings. Perfectly paired with naan or steamed basmati rice, this decadent curry is a treat for the senses.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
20
Ingredients
Ingredients
Whole chicken, cut into portions
400 g (bone on, tikka cut)
Red chili powder
1 teaspoon (for marination)
Lemon juice
2 tablespoons
Salt
to taste
Yogurt
1/2 cup (for marination)
Ginger paste
1 tablespoon (for marination)
Garlic paste
1 tablespoon (for marination)
Garam masala
1/4 teaspoon (for marination)
Butter
1 tablespoon (for brushing)
Mustard oil or any oil
2 teaspoons (optional)
Tomato puree
400 g
Honey
2 tablespoons (adjust to taste)
Ginger, chopped
1 tablespoon
Garlic, chopped
1 tablespoon
Red chili powder
1 tablespoon (for sauce)
Garam masala powder
1/2 teaspoon (for sauce)
Cream
1/2 cup
Kasuri methi (dried fenugreek leaves)
1/2-1 teaspoon (dried and powdered)
Chopped green chili
1 teaspoon
Butter
50 g (for sauce)
Instructions
1
Begin by making incisions in the chicken pieces to allow the marinade to seep in.
2
In a bowl, combine red chili powder, lemon juice, and salt. Rub this mixture onto the chicken and let it sit for about 30 minutes.
3
Next, add yogurt, ginger paste, garlic paste, and garam masala. Mix well, ensuring each piece of chicken is thoroughly coated.
4
Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 5 hours, or ideally overnight to achieve maximum flavor.
5
Preheat your oven to a high temperature and thread the marinated chicken onto skewers. Place them in the oven and bake for 10 to 12 minutes.
6
Once partially cooked, brush the chicken with butter and return to the oven for an additional 2 to 5 minutes until golden brown and fully cooked.
7
For the Makhani sauce, heat a generous amount of butter in a large pan over medium heat.
8
Add whole garam masala spices and sauté until fragrant. Then add chopped garlic, ginger, and green chilies, cooking for about 2 minutes.
9
Stir in the tomato puree, red chili powder, garam masala, and salt, mixing well to combine all the spices.
10
Add 1 cup of water and bring the mixture to a boil. Reduce heat and let it simmer for 10 minutes with the lid on, then a few more minutes uncovered.
11
Incorporate honey and crushed kasuri methi into the sauce, followed by the baked chicken pieces. Stir well and let it simmer for another 5 minutes.
12
Finally, add the cream just before serving, stirring gently to achieve a smooth and creamy consistency.
13
Serve hot with naan or rice, garnished with additional butter or kasuri methi, if desired.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Authentic Chicken Makhani?
Authentic Chicken Makhani, also known as Butter Chicken, is a traditional Indian dish featuring tender marinated chicken grilled and then served in a luscious, spiced tomato sauce enriched with cream and butter.
How should I prepare the chicken before marinating?
You should begin by making incisions in the chicken pieces to allow the marinade to seep in effectively.
What ingredients are used in the first marinade?
The first marinade consists of a mixture of red chili powder, lemon juice, and salt.
How long should the chicken sit in the first marinade?
The chicken should sit with the first marinade for about 30 minutes.
What are the components of the second marinade?
The second marinade includes yogurt, ginger paste, garlic paste, and garam masala.
How long does the chicken need to refrigerate for maximum flavor?
It should be refrigerated for at least 5 hours, or ideally overnight, to achieve maximum flavor.
What is the recommended way to bake the chicken?
Thread the marinated chicken onto skewers and bake in a preheated high-temperature oven for 10 to 12 minutes.
What should I do once the chicken is partially cooked in the oven?
Once partially cooked, brush the chicken with butter and return it to the oven for an additional 2 to 5 minutes until golden brown.
How do I start the Makhani sauce?
Start the sauce by heating a generous amount of butter in a large pan over medium heat and sautéing whole garam masala spices.
Which aromatics are added to the sauce base?
After the whole spices, add chopped garlic, ginger, and green chilies, cooking them for about 2 minutes.
What spices go into the tomato puree for the sauce?
Stir in red chili powder, garam masala, and salt into the tomato puree.
How much water is added to the sauce mixture?
Add 1 cup of water and bring the mixture to a boil.
What is the simmering process for the sauce?
Reduce the heat and let it simmer for 10 minutes with the lid on, followed by a few minutes uncovered.
How is honey used in this recipe?
Honey is incorporated into the sauce to balance the flavors, and can be adjusted to taste.
What is Kasuri Methi and how is it used?
Kasuri Methi is dried fenugreek leaves. It is crushed and added to the sauce to provide a distinct traditional aroma.
When do I add the cooked chicken to the sauce?
Add the baked chicken pieces after incorporating the honey and crushed kasuri methi into the sauce.
How long do I simmer the chicken inside the sauce?
Stir the chicken into the sauce and let it simmer for another 5 minutes.
When is the cream added to the Butter Chicken?
The cream is added just before serving, stirred gently to create a smooth consistency.
What side dishes pair well with Chicken Makhani?
It is perfectly paired with naan bread or steamed basmati rice.
What is the recommended garnish for this dish?
Garnish with additional butter or a sprinkle of kasuri methi if desired.
What type of chicken cut is best for this recipe?
The recipe recommends 400g of whole chicken cut into portions, bone-on with a tikka cut.
How much butter is needed for the sauce?
The sauce requires 50 grams of butter.
How much tomato puree is used in this recipe?
The recipe calls for 400 grams of tomato puree.
Can I use oil instead of butter for brushing the chicken?
Yes, while butter is traditional for brushing, you can optionally use 2 teaspoons of mustard oil or any other oil.
What is the spice level of this dish?
The dish is tagged as spicy, containing red chili powder in both the marinade and the sauce, as well as green chilies.
Is this dish suitable for dinner parties?
Yes, it is described as a decadent curry that is sure to impress guests at dinner parties or family gatherings.
How much ginger and garlic paste is required for marination?
The recipe uses 1 tablespoon of ginger paste and 1 tablespoon of garlic paste for the chicken marinade.
Does this recipe use fresh ginger and garlic in the sauce?
Yes, the sauce uses 1 tablespoon of chopped fresh ginger and 1 tablespoon of chopped fresh garlic.
How much cream is used to finish the sauce?
The recipe uses 1/2 cup of cream to finish the sauce.
How many total ingredients are in this recipe?
There are 20 ingredients used to make this authentic Chicken Makhani.