Butter Chicken Bhangra
Butter chicken is by far one of the more aromatic and bolder tastes from India. A great meal idea for any fancier of ethnic cuisine. Prepare these with many variations from mild to spicy. Rich Indian butter chicken with enough spice to make plain chicken file a complaint.
What It Is
Butter chicken is by far one of the more aromatic and bolder tastes from India. A great meal idea for any fancier of ethnic cuisine. Prepare these with many variations from mild to spicy. Rich Indian butter chicken with enough spice to make plain chicken file a complaint.
Origin
The Dinner by the Minute source lists the origin as: India (New Delhi).
Fun Fact
Butter chicken was reportedly invented at Delhi's Moti Mahal restaurant in the 1950s as a way to use up leftover tandoori chicken, simmered in a butter-tomato gravy so it wouldn't dry out. A happy accident that's been reheating gloriously ever since.
Ingredients
- 2.2 lb (1 kg) boneless skinless chicken breast
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp garam masala
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- ¼ cup vegetable oil
- 2½ cups chopped onion
- 2 tbsp coarsely chopped garlic
- 2 tbsp garam masala
- 2 tsp paprika
- ¼ tsp cinnamon
- 2 tsp kosher salt, or to taste
- 2 cups diced no-salt-added canned tomatoes
- ¾ cup heavy cream
- 2 tbsp butter
- Chopped cilantro, optional
Steps
- 2 lbs (1 kg) boneless, skinless chicken breast 2 tbsp lemon juice 2 cloves garlic minced 1 tbsp garam masala 1 tsp kosher salt *optional you can use chicken wings, thighs, breasts and even drumsticks. Add some Sriracha to the sauce to add some authentic spice. For sauce: ¼ cup vegetable oil 2 ½ cups chopped onion about 2 medium-large 2 tbsp coarsely chopped garlic 2 tbsp garam masala 2 tsp paprika ¼ tsp cinnamon 2 tsp kosher salt or to taste 2 cups diced no-salt-added canned tomatoes ¾ cup heavy 35% or whipping cream 2 tbsp butter Chopped cilantro to garnish (optional)
- Combine all ingredients in a zip-top bag or shallow baking dish, massaging the marinade into the chicken. Let stand at room temperature while you prepare the sauce, or marinate in the fridge overnight. For sauce
- Heat oil over medium heat in a large saucepan or dutch oven. Add onions and slowly cook until golden, about 20 minutes, reducing heat if they are getting crispy or browning quickly. East Indian Affairs Indian cuisine comprises a wide variety of regional and traditional cuisines native to the Indian subcontinent. Given the range of diversity in soil type, climate, culture, ethnic groups, and occupations, these cuisines vary substantially from each other and use locally available spices, herbs, vegetables, and fruits. Tandoori is the main spice in many dishes. 113
- Add garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute. Stir in garam masala, paprika, cinnamon and salt; cook 1 minute more. Add tomatoes; cook 2 minutes, then add cream and carefully puree using an immersion blender (or standing blender, but do it in batches or the steam will blow the top off).
- Return sauce to saucepan and bring to a simmer. Add chicken to the sauce, cover, and simmer over medium-low heat until cooked through, about 12 minutes (remove a couple of pieces to make sure they are no longer pink inside). A gentle simmer is required to gently cook the breasts so they don't become tough, and you don't want to overcook them.
- Stir in butter, taste and add more salt to taste. Serve sprinkled with cilantro, if desired.
Notes
This tastes even better the next day, once the spices have had time to fully settle into the sauce. Worth making ahead if you can.
Substitutions
Chicken thighs stay juicier than breast if you don't mind the extra fat. Garam masala can be approximated with a mix of cumin, coriander and cinnamon if you're out. Plain yogurt can thin the sauce if it's gone too thick.
Storage
Refrigerate in a covered container for up to 4 days. Like most curries, this one tastes even better the next day once the spices have had time to settle in.
Freezing
Not stated in the cookbook. Most cooked bases can be frozen in airtight meal-sized portions, but dairy sauces, potatoes and fresh garnishes may change texture after thawing.