Butter Chicken (Murgh Makhani)

Butter Chicken is one of the most popular Indian dishes across the world and is very delicious. This dish is liked by all age groups and my family loves it. This delicious chicken recipe is also popular by its Hindi name - Murgh Makhani. The taste of the buttery- creamy chicken masala is just awesome and never to be forgotten. The extra quantities of butter makes it very delicious and goes well with rice or any bread, naan or rotis.

Ingredients:

2-3 pounds boneless chicken cut into 1 inch pieces

1/2 cup yogurt

1 tablespoon lemon juice

2 tablespoons butter (or oil)

1 medium size cinnamon stick

2 bay leaves

2 green cardamoms

2 whole cloves

I/2 teaspoon cumin seeds

1/2 teaspoon kasuri methi

1 medium size diced onions

1 teaspoon garlic paste

1 teaspoon ginger paste

1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder  

11/2 teaspoon cilantro powder

11/2 teaspoon cumin powder

11/2 teaspoon garam masala (curry powder)

1/4 black pepper powder

 *Can be substituted by butter chicken masala

1/4 red chilli powder

2 teaspoons tomato paste

1/2 stick butter

1/4 cup heavy cream

1/2 cup water

Salt to taste

Fresh cilantro leaves for garnish

Preparation:

Marination

Marinate chicken pieces in yogurt and lemon juice. Keep overnight in a refrigerator.

Seasoning:

Melt butter in a pan.

Add bay leaves, cloves, cinnamon, cardamom, kasuri methi, and cumin seeds. Let them become little brown until the flavors starts coming.

Add diced onions, ginger paste, garlic paste and cook until they are brown in color.

Add 1/2 cup of water and cook again till the onions and soft and tender into sauce. Add tomato paste and mix it well with a stir.

Add cilantro powder, cumin powder, garam masala, chilli powder, turmeric powder, black pepper and salt to taste. Add butter stick and heavy cream. Cook for 5 minutes and add desired quantity of water to make gravy.

Add chicken pieces into the sauce. Simmer the heat and cook for 15-20 minutes until all the chicken pieces are well blended with the gravy.

Garnish with cut cilantro leaves and serve it with naan or roti, or rice and enjoy.