By Elias Van den Bosch
Butter Chicken (Murgh Makhani)
A classic Indian dish where chicken is marinated in yogurt and spices, cooked in a rich tomato-based sauce, and finished with cream. Serve with naan and rice.
Updated at: Tue, 16 Sep 2025 15:57:06 GMT
Nutrition balance score
Unbalanced
Glycemic Index
36
Low
Glycemic Load
6
Low
Nutrition per serving
Calories452.5 kcal (23%)
Total Fat30.3 g (43%)
Carbs15.8 g (6%)
Sugars8.2 g (9%)
Protein30.2 g (60%)
Sodium1149.5 mg (57%)
Fiber3 g (11%)
% Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet
Ingredients
6 servings
800gboneless and skinless chicken thighs
or breasts
½ cupplain yogurt
1 ½ tablespoonsgarlic
minced
1 tablespoonminced ginger
2 teaspoonsgaram masala
1 teaspoonturmeric
1 teaspoonground cumin
1 teaspoonred chili powder
1 teaspoonsalt
2 tablespoonsolive oil
2 tablespoonsghee
or 1 tbs butter + 1 tbs oil
1onion
large, sliced or chopped
1 ½ tablespoonsgarlic
minced
1 tablespoonginger
minced
1 ½ teaspoonsground cumin
1 ½ teaspoonsgaram masala
1 teaspoonground coriander
400gcrushed tomatoes
1 ¼ teaspoonssalt
1 cupheavy cream
or thickened
1 tablespoonsugar
½ teaspoonkasoori methi
or fenugreek leaves
Instructions
Step 1
In a bowl, combine chicken with all of the ingredients for the chicken marinade; let marinate for 30 minutes to an hour (or overnight if time allows).
Step 2
Heat oil in a large skillet or pot over medium-high heat. When sizzling, add chicken pieces in batches, making sure not to crowd the pan. Fry until browned for only 3 minutes on each side. Set aside and keep warm. (You will finish cooking the chicken in the sauce.)
Step 3
Heat butter or ghee in the same pan. Fry the onions until they start to sweat (about 6 minutes) while scraping up any browned bits stuck on the bottom of the pan.
Step 4
Add garlic and ginger and sauté for about a minute until fragrant, then add coriander, cumin and garam masala. Let cook for about 20 seconds until fragrant, while stirring occasionally.
Step 5
Add crushed tomatoes, chili powder, and salt. Let simmer for about 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally until sauce thickens and becomes a deep brown red colour.
Step 6
Remove from heat, scoop mixture into a blender and blend until smooth. You may need to add a couple tablespoons of water to help it blend (up to 1/4 cup). Work in batches depending on the size of your blender.
Step 7
Pour the puréed sauce back into the pan. Stir the cream, sugar and crushed kasoori methi (or fenugreek leaves) through the sauce. Add the chicken with juices back into the pan and cook for an additional 8-10 minutes until chicken is cooked through and the sauce is thick and bubbling.
Step 8
Garnish with chopped cilantro and serve with fresh, hot garlic butter rice and fresh homemade Naan bread.
Step 9
https://cafedelites.com/butter-chicken/?utm_source=whisk&utm_medium=android&utm_campaign=butter_chicken
Notes
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