– 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts, cut into cubes
– 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
– 1 tablespoon butter
– 1 medium onion, finely chopped
– 2 cloves garlic, minced
– 1-inch piece ginger, minced
– 1 teaspoon ground cumin
– 1 teaspoon ground coriander
– 1 teaspoon garam masala
– 1 teaspoon turmeric
– 1 teaspoon chili powder (adjust to taste)
– 1 can (14 oz) crushed tomatoes
– 1 cup heavy cream
– Salt, to taste
– Fresh cilantro, for garnish
– Cooked rice or naan, for serving
Creating Quick & Easy Homemade Butter Chicken can be incredibly simple if you follow these structured steps:
1. Marinate the Chicken: Optional, but recommended. In a bowl, combine the chicken pieces with salt, garam masala, cumin, and coriander. Set aside for about 10-15 minutes.
2. Heat the Oil and Butter: In a large skillet, heat the vegetable oil and butter over medium heat.
3. Cook the Onions: Add the chopped onions to the skillet. Sauté until they turn golden brown, approximately 5-7 minutes.
4. Add Garlic and Ginger: Stir in the minced garlic and ginger. Cook for another 2 minutes until fragrant.
5. Mix in the Spices: Sprinkle in the cumin, coriander, garam masala, turmeric, and chili powder. Stir continuously for 1-2 minutes.
6. Add the Tomatoes: Pour in the crushed tomatoes, mixing well. Let this simmer for about 5 minutes to meld flavors.
7. Incorporate the Chicken: Add the marinated chicken pieces to the sauce. Stir to coat the chicken evenly.
8. Simmer: Cover the skillet and let it simmer on low heat for about 15-20 minutes, until the chicken is cooked through.
9. Finish with Cream: Stir in the heavy cream, letting it simmer for another 5 minutes for the sauce to thicken. Adjust salt to taste.
10. Garnish: Remove from heat and garnish with fresh cilantro before serving.
With these simple steps, you will be able to whip up a delicious pot of Butter Chicken in no time!