06/04/2026
Authentic Butter Chicken (Murgh Makhani)
Ingredients
For the Chicken Marination:
1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs (cut into bite-sized pieces)
½ cup plain Greek yogurt
1 tbsp lemon juice
1 tbsp garlic, minced
1 tbsp ginger, grated
1 tsp garam masala
1 tsp ground cumin
1 tsp chili powder (preferably Kashmiri chili powder for color)
1 tsp salt
For the Rich Curry Sauce:
2 tbsp ghee or olive oil (divided)
2 tbsp unsalted butter
1 large yellow onion, finely chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 tbsp ginger, grated
1 tsp ground cumin
1 tsp garam masala
1 tsp ground coriander
1 tsp chili powder
1 can (14 oz) tomato puree or tomato sauce
¾ cup heavy cream
1 tbsp sugar or honey (to balance the acidity)
Salt to taste
For Garnish & Serving:
Fresh cilantro, finely chopped
Warm Naan bread and fluffy Basmati rice
Instructions
1. Marinate the Chicken
In a bowl, combine all the marination ingredients: yogurt, lemon juice, minced garlic, grated ginger, garam masala, cumin, chili powder, and salt.
Add the chicken pieces and stir until everything is completely coated.
Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes (overnight is even better for maximum tenderness!).
2. Sear the Chicken
Heat 1 tablespoon of ghee or oil in a large, deep skillet over medium-high heat.
Add the chicken pieces in a single layer (work in batches if your pan is small—do not crowd the pan, or the chicken will steam instead of brown).
Cook for about 3 to 4 minutes on each side until nicely browned and slightly charred at the edges. Note: The chicken doesn't need to be fully cooked through yet. Transfer the chicken to a plate and set aside.
3. Build the Sauce Base
In the same skillet, lower the heat to medium and melt the butter along with the remaining ghee or oil.
Add the chopped onions and sauté for 5 to 6 minutes until soft and translucent.
Stir in the minced garlic and grated ginger, cooking for about 1 minute until highly aromatic.
Add the spices: cumin, garam masala, coriander, and chili powder. Stir continuously for 30 seconds to let the spices toast and release their oils.
4. Simmer the Gravy
Pour in the tomato puree/sauce and let the mixture simmer for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the tomatoes have darkened in color and reduced slightly.
Optional Pro-Tip: For an ultra-smooth restaurant texture, you can pour this sauce into a blender and blend until completely silky, then return it to the pan.
Stir in the heavy cream and sugar/honey. Bring the sauce to a very gentle simmer.
5. Combine and Serve
Return the seared chicken and any resting juices back into the sauce.
Simmer uncovered on low heat for 8 to 10 minutes until the chicken is tender and cooked through, and the sauce is thick and pooling beautifully. Season with an extra pinch of salt if needed.
Garnish with a generous handful of fresh chopped cilantro.