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–+ servings

Butter Chicken (Murgh Makhani)

Marinated chicken thighs are grilled until lightly charred, then folded into a smooth tomato and cashew sauce finished with butter, double cream and dried fenugreek. This from-scratch Butter Chicken is creamy and gently spiced, with enough tomato acidity to balance its richness.
Prep Time 25 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
marinating time 2 hours
Total Time 3 hours 10 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine Indian
Servings 4

Ingredients
  

For the Chicken Marinade

  • - 700g boneless skinless chicken thighs, cut into 4cm pieces
  • - 120g full fat Greek yoghurt
  • - 25g Garlic and Ginger Paste
  • - 15ml lemon juice
  • - 1 teaspoon Kashmiri chilli powder
  • - 1 teaspoon Garam Masala
  • - 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
  • - 1 teaspoon fine salt
  • - 15ml rapeseed oil

For the Makhani Sauce

  • - 50g unsalted butter divided
  • - 15ml rapeseed oil
  • - 20g Garlic and Ginger Paste
  • - 1 teaspoon Kashmiri chilli powder
  • - 1 teaspoon ground coriander
  • - 2 x 400g tins whole plum tomatoes including their juice
  • - 60g raw unsalted cashews
  • - 1 teaspoon fine salt plus more if required
  • - 150ml hot water plus more to adjust the sauce
  • - 150ml double cream
  • - 1 teaspoon Garam Masala
  • - 2 teaspoons dried fenugreek leaves
  • - 1 teaspoon caster sugar optional

Instructions
 

  • Put the chicken in a mixing bowl. Add the yoghurt, Garlic and Ginger Paste, lemon juice, Kashmiri chilli powder, Garam Masala, cumin, salt and rapeseed oil. Mix thoroughly, cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or overnight.
  • Melt 25g butter with 15ml rapeseed oil in a saucepan over a medium heat. Add the Garlic and Ginger Paste and cook for 45 seconds, stirring continuously.
  • Add the Kashmiri chilli powder and ground coriander. Stir for 15 seconds, then add the plum tomatoes, cashews, salt and 150ml hot water. Break up the tomatoes with a spoon, bring to a simmer and cook uncovered for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  • Preheat the grill to high and line a sturdy metal tray with foil. Arrange the marinated chicken in a single layer and grill for 12 to 16 minutes, turning halfway, until lightly charred and cooked through. The centre should reach 75°C for 30 seconds, or be steaming hot with no pink meat.
  • Remove the tomato mixture from the heat and blend until completely smooth. Pass the sauce through a fine sieve into a clean saucepan, pressing it through with the back of a ladle and discarding the coarse residue.
  • Return the sauce to a low heat. If necessary, add hot water a little at a time until it is thick but pourable. Simmer gently for 3 minutes.
  • Stir in the double cream, remaining 25g butter, Garam Masala and dried fenugreek leaves, crushing the leaves between your fingers as you add them. Simmer gently for 2 minutes.
  • Add the grilled chicken and any juices from the tray. Simmer gently for 4 to 5 minutes, until piping hot and coated in the sauce. Taste and add the optional sugar only if the tomatoes remain too sharp. Adjust the salt and serve.

Notes

  • The two hour marinating period is included as additional time rather than preparation time.
  • Chicken breast can replace the thighs, but begin checking it earlier because it cooks more quickly.
  • If using ready cooked Chicken Tikka, omit the marinade ingredients and add approximately 600g tikka in Step 8.
  • The sauce should be thick enough to coat the chicken while remaining easy to spoon.
  • Kashmiri chilli powder gives colour and gentle heat. Reduce it for a milder result.
  • Add sugar only after the sauce has been finished with cream and butter.
  • For a nut free sauce, omit the cashews and increase the double cream to 200ml if needed.
Keyword creamy chicken curry, Indian butter chicken, murgh makhani recipe, restaurant style butter chicken
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