Creamy Butter Chicken Bliss

 

Ingredients

For The Chicken:

• 500 grams chicken breast, cut into pieces
• ⅓ cup yogurt
• 2 tsps turmeric
• 1 ½ tsps ground cumin
• 1 tsp garam masala
• 1 tbsp curry powder
• 1 tbsp garlic and ginger paste
• 1 tsp curry paste
• 1 tsp chili paste
• Salt, to taste
• 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice

For The Chicken Sear:

• 3 tbsps ghee or unsalted butter

For The Sauce:

• 1 onion, roughly chopped
• Salt, a pinch
• 1 tbsp garlic and ginger paste (optional)
• 400 grams canned chopped tomatoes
• ½ cup water
• 1 tsp curry paste (optional)
• ¼ cup water (if using curry paste)
• 1 tbsp fresh coriander, chopped

Heat The Sauce and Season:

• 3 tbsps ghee or unsalted butter (divided)
• ½ tsp ground fenugreek (added at the end)
• ½ tsp garam masala
• Salt, to taste
• ½ cup cream
• 2 tbsps fresh coriander, divided

Instructions

1. Marinate the Chicken:

   • Dry the chicken and cut into larger pieces. Combine all marinade ingredients in a bowl, ensuring the chicken is well coated. Let it marinate for 20 minutes to overnight in the fridge.

2. Brown the Chicken:

   • In a large non-stick pan, melt ghee or butter until hot. Brown the marinated chicken on both sides until charred. Remove and set aside.

3. Make the Sauce:

   • In the same pan, lower the heat. Sauté onion with a pinch of salt until soft and golden (about 10 minutes). Add garlic and ginger paste, cooking for an additional minute. Stir in canned tomatoes and half a cup of water from the empty can.
   • Simmer the sauce for 15 minutes. If using, add curry paste and additional water. Blend the sauce until smooth.

4. Heat The Sauce and Season:

   • In the same pan, melt remaining ghee or butter. Pour in the blended sauce, stirring gently. Add fenugreek, garam masala, salt, and cream.
   • Return browned chicken to the pan, bringing the sauce to a simmer for a couple of minutes until thickened.

5. Serve:

   • Top with remaining cream and fresh coriander. Enjoy with rice, naan, or salad!

Notes

• The unconventional elements in this recipe are the chili and curry pastes. You can omit them, but they add a unique smoky flavor!
• Feel free to adjust spice levels to your taste.