Indian Butter Chicken Recipe - The Cookie Rookie® (2024)

FAQs

What is the sauce in butter chicken made of? ›

It's all about that sauce when it comes to authentic butter chicken. You'll be surprised to find that you only need an onion, a can of crushed tomatoes, garlic and ginger, and some added spices to continue those beautiful flavours in the sauce.

Regarding nutrition, Butter Chicken and Tikka Masala are high in calories, fat, and sodium. Butter Chicken has more fat and calories than Tikka Masala due to the use of cream and butter in the sauce. However, Tikka Masala has more sodium than Butter Chicken due to the use of canned tomato puree.

Butter chicken, traditionally known as murgh makhani (pronounced [mʊrɣ ˈməkʰaːni]), is an Indian dish originating in Delhi. It is a type of curry made from chicken with a spiced tomato and butter (makhan) sauce. Its sauce is known for its rich texture. It is similar to chicken tikka masala, which uses a tomato paste.

Butter chicken isn't really healthy

Just one bowl of butter chicken can really set you back — as per Livestrong, you'll be consuming around 438 calories, 14 grams of carbs, and a whopping amount of fat: 28 grams. Here's the major problem with butter chicken: the dish has around 12 grams of saturated fat.

Ingredients You'll Need

You can sub it with chicken thighs. Yogurt – Plain yogurt or sour cream will work. Spices – I used a blend of Ground Coriander, Cumin, Smoked Paprika, Turmeric and Garam Masala (For information on garam masala, keep scrolling!)

Use wheat flour, rice flour, or coconut flour plus a fat (like ghee, olive oil, or coconut oil) in equal amounts. Cook both ingredients for a few minutes to cook out the raw flour taste, then add your curry ingredients. Once the whole curry dish comes to a boil, the sauce will thicken. 7.

Butter Chicken also known as Chicken Makhani is a classic Indian dish that's made by simmering marinated & grilled chicken (Tandoori chicken) in a spicy, aromatic, buttery and creamy tomato gravy. This lip-smacking and delicious dish is hugely popular among the Indian food lovers across the world.

/ˈtɪk.ə/ /tiːk.ə/ in South Asian cooking, a mixture of spices and yogurt (= slightly sour, thick milk) used in preparing meat, cheese, etc. for some dishes and in the names of these dishes: chicken tikka. in South Asian cooking, meat in small pieces.

The main difference between butter chicken and tandoori chicken tikka masala is the level of creaminess; butter chicken is much creamier, whereas chicken tikka masala relies on tomatoes and other spices, giving it its earthy and spicy flavor profile.

Peshawar residents identified the inventor of butter chicken as Kundan Lal — the first name of both of the cooks. But only one Kundan Lal returned to Pakistan to visit the old restaurant: Gujral, whose grandson says he invented butter chicken in Peshawar.

Why is butter chicken so tasty? ›

Usually, it includes butter, cream, and cashew paste as a thickener. The tangy tomatoes, smokey Kasuri methi, and yogurt will give a special and attractive taste to the gravy. Depending on the spices, it can be made hot or moderate to match your palate.

According to the Gujral family, the dish was the creation of their grandfather Kundan Lal Gujral who founded the restaurant in Peshawar, in what is now Pakistan.

Butter chicken is not considered a particularly healthy food, as it is typically high in calories, fat, and sodium.

Incorporate Vegetarian

Vegetarian options are often lower in calories and saturated fats while providing ample protein and fiber. Consider trying dishes like Palak Paneer (spinach and cottage cheese), Baingan Bharta (roasted eggplant), or Daal (lentil curry) for a satisfying and healthful dining experience.

This butter chicken recipe, or chicken makhani, is one of my favorite Indian dishes. It features a full-flavored sauce that complements the chicken well. It can be made as mild or spicy as you wish by adjusting the cayenne. Serve with basmati rice and naan bread.

Garam masala consists of ground spices like cloves, cinnamon, cardamoms, cumin, coriander, nutmeg, bay leaf, mace and black pepper. Some versions even consist of fennel seeds, red chilies and black cardamoms.

Garam masala blends may include coriander seeds, mace, cumin seeds, cloves, whole black pepper, white poppy seeds, bay leaves, star anise, cinnamon sticks, black cardamom pods, and whole nutmeg.

Butter chicken is mildly spiced, whereas tikka masala has more of a kick. Chicken in tikka masala sauce tends to be more tender and juicy than butter chicken due to its marinade-containing yogurt. Butter chicken also tends to have a creamier texture.

Garam masala is a spice blend with North Indian origins. Garam means "hot" while masala means "blend," but the spice itself is not necessarily spicy-hot. Instead, the name refers to the warming spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and cumin in the mix. The flavor of garam masala is not overly heat-driven or intense.