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Murgh Makhani: Classic Indian Butter Chicken

Tender yogurt-marinated chicken simmers in a velvety tomato and cream sauce layered with garam masala, fenugreek, and gentle heat from Indian chili. Murgh Makhani: Classic Indian Butter Chicken delivers rich, buttery depth balanced by tangy tomato and warm spices, perfect for a cozy weeknight dinner or a special gathering with naan or rice.

  • Prep25 mins
  • Cook35 mins
  • Serves4
  • DifficultyMedium
Murgh Makhani: Classic Indian Butter Chicken
  1. 1

    Stir the yogurt and tandoori masala powder in a large bowl until combined; add the chicken and toss to coat. Marinate in the refrigerator for 1 hour. Drain and discard any excess marinade.

  2. 2

    Blend the onion, ginger, water, and garlic in a blender until a smooth paste forms; set aside.

  3. 3

    Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chicken and cook until lightly browned, about 5 minutes. Remove from the skillet and set aside.

  4. 4

    Heat the remaining 2 tablespoons oil in the same skillet. Fry the onion paste until most of the moisture evaporates, about 3 minutes. Sprinkle the garam masala and chili powder over the mixture; cook 1 minute more. Add the tomato sauce, reduce heat to medium-low, and cook another 5 minutes.

  5. 5

    Return the chicken to the skillet. Add the half-and-half and bring to a boil. Add the butter, fenugreek leaves, and salt; reduce heat to low and simmer, uncovered, until the chicken is no longer pink in the middle, 15 to 20 minutes.

About This Recipe

Murgh Makhani: Classic Indian Butter Chicken is an Indian dinner recipe made with 15 ingredients. It takes about 1 hr, serves 4, and is rated medium. Key ingredients include Boneless Chicken Thigh, Butter, Chili Powder, and Cooking Oil. Each serving provides about 566.61 kcal, and is a good source of protein.

Recipe Questions

What is Murgh Makhani: Classic Indian Butter Chicken?
It is an Indian recipe made with 15 ingredients, usually served for dinner or lunch.
What is Murgh Makhani: Classic Indian Butter Chicken made of?
The main ingredients are Boneless Chicken Thigh, Butter, Chili Powder, Cooking Oil, Fenugreek Leaves. The full list of 15 is above.
What goes well with Murgh Makhani: Classic Indian Butter Chicken?
Explore these Indian side-dish recipes.
How long does it take to make Murgh Makhani: Classic Indian Butter Chicken?
About 1 hr in total: 25 mins to prepare and 35 mins to cook.
How many calories are in one serving?
One serving provides about 566.61 kcal. The full nutrition breakdown is above.
Is Murgh Makhani: Classic Indian Butter Chicken easy to make?
This recipe is rated medium, with 15 ingredients and 5 steps.

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