Butter Chicken Recipe (Murgh Makhani)

Our Butter Chicken Recipe (Murgh Makhani) has quickly become a favorite over here! We are both Indian food fanatics; we love all the delicious, bright and bold flavors that are packed into every dish!

Although we’re both crazy about Indian food, we both agree that it’s a cuisine that can be intimidating to tackle at home. Luckily butter chicken is a really great place to start! The ingredients (and recipe itself) are simple and can be found at almost any supermarket!

What is Butter Chicken (Murgh Makhani)?

Butter Chicken (traditionally called Murgh Makhani) is an Indian curry dish originating from North India. It’s one of the most popular Indian curry dishes enjoyed around the world – and definitely one of our favorites!

How to Make Our Butter Chicken Recipe

Process

1. Place chicken thigh pieces in a mixing bowl, add some cumin, coriander, a sprinkle of salt, and some cracked black pepper and toss together until chicken is well coated.

2. Place a large skillet over medium-high heat and melt some butter.
3. Add chicken and sauté.

4. Using a slotted spoon, transfer chicken to a plate and set aside.
5. Add remaining butter to skillet. Add shallot, garlic and ginger and sauté.

6. Stir in remaining spices and continue to sauté.
7. Stir tomato puree into skillet and lightly season with salt and pepper. Lower heat and simmer.

8. Pour tomato mixture into a blender and puree until smooth. Pour sauce back into skillet and simmer over medium-low heat.
9. Stir chicken back into skillet, season with salt and pepper and continue to simmer.

10. Stir cream or yogurt into chicken mixture and simmer until sauce is thick (enough to thoroughly coat chicken) and creamy. Season with salt and pepper as needed.

11. Top with chopped cilantro and serve over basmati rice and with a side of grilled pita bread.

For a smooth sauce: Blend sauce mixture from step 7 in blender until smooth. Pour sauce back into skillet and bring to a simmer over medium-low heat. Stir chicken back into skillet, from step 9 and continue from remaining recipe directions.

Tools You Will Need

• cutting board
• knife
• measuring spoons
• dry measuring cups
• liquid measuring cups
• mixing bowl
• wooden spoon
• slotted spoon
• blender (if using)
• large pot or Dutch oven

Difference Between Butter Chicken and Tikka Masala

Butter chicken and tikka masala are often confused for one another. They’re both curry dishes, but tikka masala has a more complex flavor profile and is cooked in a tandoori, so it’s also considered a drier dish. Butter chicken is cooked in a skillet, over a flame and is a much more creamy and saucy dish.

Make Ahead and Freezing Our Butter Chicken Recipe

Make Ahead

This dish can be made up to 3 days in advance. To make ahead of time, make recipe until it’s time to add the cream or yogurt. Cool mixture and transfer to an airtight container. Store butter chicken in the refrigerator until ready to use.

To reheat, pour chicken mixture into a skillet and lightly simmer over low heat while stirring. Once mixture has heated through, stir in cream or yogurt until evenly combined. Simmer for another minute, adjust seasonings, garnish and serve.

Freezing

To freeze butter chicken, make recipe until it’s time to add the cream or yogurt. Cool mixture and transfer to an airtight container. Store in the freezer for up to 2 months.

To reheat, thaw mixture in the refrigerator overnight. Pour thawed chicken mixture into a skillet and lightly simmer over low heat while stirring. Once mixture has heated through, stir in cream or yogurt until evenly combined. Simmer for another minute, adjust seasonings, garnish and serve.

What to Serve with Butter Chicken

Our favorite things to serve with our butter chicken recipe is a fragrant bed of steamed basmati rice and a side of grilled naan bread. Paratha, a flaky, buttery flatbread is also something we love eating with this dish. Trader Joe’s has a great one in their frozen food section that only takes 2 to 3 minutes to heat up on a skillet!

Other Easy Indian Food Recipes You Will Love

• Butter Cauliflower (Cauliflower Makhani)
• Chicken Korma
• Masoor Dal (Stewed Red Lentils)
• Vegetable Loaded Vegan Korma
• Spicy Cauliflower and Chickpea Curry