Butter Chicken Curry

Atsuko

November 25, 2024

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Atsuko

Founder of @Umami Sans Frontières

When I worked in Tokyo, I was lucky to have authentic Indian restaurants near my office. My favorite? Butter chicken curry—rich, creamy, and subtly seasoned. Just one bite, and it’s unforgettable. Now in Berlin, I often visit Indian restaurants with my daughter. When she tried butter chicken for the first time, she was instantly hooked! Inspired by her love for it, I’m sharing a recipe so you can recreate this comforting classic at home. Let’s get started!

Expense

💵 💵

Preparation

60 mins

Baking time

Rest time

Ingredients

Cooking time: 60 minutes (Excluding the time needed to marinate the chicken in the refrigerator)

Ingredients:

For 4 people

600g of Chicken breast or thigh meat

Marinade Ingredients:

* 100–150g of Plain yogurt
* 1 tbsp of Lemon juice
* 1 tsp of Turmeric
* 2 tsp of Garam masala
* 1 tsp of Cumin
* 1 tsp o fPaprika powder
* 1 tsp of Minced (or grated) ginger
* 2 cloves of Minced (or grated) garlic

Other Ingredients:

1 of Onion
2 tbsp of Butter (or coconut oil as an alternative)
1 clove of Minced garlic
1 tsp of Minced ginger
400g of Tomato puree
200ml of Crème fraîche épaisse (or heavy cream)

Seasoning Ingredients (◎):

◎ 1 tsp of Turmeric
◎ 1 tsp of Garam masala
◎ 1–2 tbsp of Honey
◎ 1 tsp of Sugar
◎ 1 tsp of Salt
◎ A pinch of Pepper
◎ 1 tsp of Cinnamon (optional)
◎ To taste of Coriander (optional)

How to make it:

1/ Preparing the Chicken (It’s recommended to do this the day before or at least 2 hours in advance.) : Cut the chicken breasts into bite-sized pieces.

2/ In a bowl, combine all the marinade ingredients (marked with *) and mix well. Add the chicken pieces, ensuring they are evenly coated with the marinade. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or preferably for half a day to overnight.

3/ Heat 1 tablespoon of butter in a frying pan over high heat. Add the marinated chicken and cook until browned, discarding any leftover marinade.

4/ Thinly slice the onion, and finely mince the garlic and ginger.

5/ In a separate pot, heat 1 tablespoon of butter and sauté the onion, garlic, and ginger until fragrant.

6/ Once the onion becomes translucent, stir in the seasoning ingredients (marked with ◎) and mix thoroughly.

7/ Add the tomato puree, reduce the heat to low, and let it simmer for about 10 minutes.

8/ Stir in the crème fraîche and continue simmering for another 5 minutes.

9/ Add the cooked chicken to the pot and let it simmer for an additional 5 minutes. Taste the sauce and adjust the seasoning if necessary. For a richer finish, add a small amount of butter before serving.

Delicious Butter Chicken at Home! Tips for Success

⭐️Spices: Feel free to mix and match your favorite spices. Enjoy experimenting with the spices you already have!

⭐️Butter: For an authentic touch, use Indian butter, ghee, to enhance the flavor even more.

⭐️Chicken: Be sure to cook the chicken thoroughly until the marinade is fully absorbed. This step is key to achieving great flavor!

⭐️Tomatoes: If you prefer a rich and intense flavor, tomato puree is highly recommended. However, for a simpler preparation, canned tomatoes work just as well. Choose based on your preference!

⭐️Cream: You can substitute crème fraîche with heavy cream if needed. For a creamy and rich taste, go with crème fraîche; for a lighter finish, opt for heavy cream. In our family, we’re team crème fraîche! 🤭

⭐️Finishing Touch: Garnishing with coriander adds an exotic flair. If you prefer, parsley can also be used for a refreshing accent!

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