Today I'm bringing you that lovely butter chicken recipe!


I've had my fair share of butter chicken in my life...The only ones I've tried and loved is my mom's Kabab bistro's in Richmond, and Sabri in chicago!
It's one of those desi dishes that not everyone has heard of or knows where to get...it also can be quite pricey at restaurants because of it's uniqueness!




To make this delicious butter chicken at home here is what you will need...

1. chicken cut into 2-3 inch pieces.
I used organic chicken breasts, but it's preferred to use Chicken thigh as that is what is originally used and it also absorbs more flavor.

2.Spices
-Shan Butter chicken Masala(if you don't have any it's ok)
-Gharam Masala
-Cumin powder
-Coriander powder
-Kashmiri Chilli powder/Red Chili Powder
-Salt to taste
-Turmeric Powder
-Kasoori Meethi(fenu greek leaves)
-Cumin Seeds

*You can find these ingredients at your local grocery store and pakistani, indian grocery stores!*

3.Other ingredients
-Ginger-Garlic paste
-Cilantro
-Light whipping cream or Half and Half
-Tomatoes
-Yellow or Purple Onion
-Plain yoghurt/Dhai
-Butter or stick of butter
-Olive Oil


Step 1
Tandoori Chicken Step
You want to cut your chiken into 2-3 inch pieces and marinate in Turmeric powder, gharam masala, olive oil, mustard oil(it gives amazing flavor since we are making tandoori chicken part first),Ginger Garlic Paste, Salt and Red chilli Powder.

 

Mix it in with about a cup and a half of non fat Dhai/Plain yogurt Cover it and Marinate for 2 hours or overnight for some good tandoori flavor! *You can also add tandoori boti masala if you would like for extra flavor*



Step 2
Bake your Tandoori chicken
If you have a tandoor maker you can go ahead and use that. If not go ahead and pre heat your oven to 380 degrees. Take the chicken out and separate it onto a baking sheet like such. I used a pizza pan because the stone function of the pan really crisps up any food you put on it. Stick it in the oven for 20 minutes and flip the chicken over. You will start to see the chicken shrink a little and develop a tandoori like color! Put it back in the oven for another 20 minutes, Turn the BROIL option in your oven on to LOW...Let the chicken broil and crisp up for about 10 minutes or until you see it have a medium charring effect on the edge of each chicken like this. After it is done, take the chicken out and leave out to cool.
 




Step 3
Base of Butter Chicken
Chop up 3-4 tomatoes, one onion and take out and set aside...
1/2 tablespoon of Turmeric Pwder
1 1/2 tablespoon of Chilli powder
1 Tablespoon of Gharam Masala
1 Tablespoon of Salt
1 Tablespoon of Butter chicken masala if you have it
1 tablespoon of Mustard oil
2 Tablespoons of Olive oil
1 Tablespoon of Kasoori Meethi

Pulse tomatoes in a Blender until almost smooth consistency like this...
 


Take a pot and set on medium heat and put in the olive oil and let it begin to get hot. When you hear it sizzling, add in the chopped one onion and let it brown and add in the salt so it starts to melt and soften up.
Add the tomato puree...because this is a smooth based salaan you want it to be smooth as possible!
Fold the mixture on medium high heat until oil and mixture separate.
Add mustard oil and the rest of the dry spices, keep folding mixture until it boils. Crush the Kasoori Meethi in your palms and fingers and add it to the curry. Put a lid on it and let it boil for about 10-15 mins, add water if necessary.

Step 4
The Sweetness
There are so many different ways to get the sweet part of the butter chicken...I used the Cashew Method

-Honey-You can add some honey and sugar to get the right sweetness of the butter chicken. I would add about 2-3 tablespoons of it

-Cashews-Grind up cashews with water until it forms a paste and mix it into the butter chicken

-Sugar-If you don't have any of the above you can simply add 2 tablespoons of sugar to your butter chicken

*Next what your want to do is add 2-3 tablespoons of whipping cream or half and half to get that GORGEOUS orange color for your butter chicken!

Step 5
Viola!
Add the tandoori chicken pieces to your butter chicken base, mix and let the tandoor flavor dissolve into your curry. Cover and let it simmer on medium for 15 mins and serve!
It's great to eat with White or brown rice or to eat with some naan!

This is such a great dish to cook if you are far from home and want to try something new! Also it's great to freeze the leftovers to have at a different time!