Sunny’s Easy Butter Chicken
Ingredients
- Marinade
- 1/2 cup Greek yogurt
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 1 tablespoon ground cumin
- 1 tablespoon turmeric
- 1 tablespoon garam masala
- 1 tablespoon hot Hungarian paprika
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
- 2 pounds boneless
skinless chicken tenders, cut into 1-inch sections
- 4 tablespoons salted butter
- Sauce
- 1 cup crushed tomatoes
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 2 frozen ginger pods
or 2 inches ginger, grated
- 2 frozen garlic pods
or 2 cloves garlic, grated
- 3/4 to 1 cup heavy cream
at room temperature
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
- Serving
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
plus more to garnish
- 2 cups cooked basmati rice
Directions
- 1
For the marinade: In a bowl, add the yogurt, chili powder, cumin, turmeric, garam masala, paprika, 2 teaspoons salt and a few grinds of black pepper. Stir until everything is one color. Scoop into a large resealable bag and add the chicken. Leave on the counter at room temperature for 2 hours.
- 2
To cook the chicken: In a large pan with straight sides on medium-high heat, add the butter and then the chicken chunks from the bag, discarding the marinade. Cook, turning, until some parts are browned but most are still white, about 8 minutes.
- 3
For the sauce. Add the crushed tomatoes, sugar, ginger and garlic to the pan. Things should be bubbly and hot. Stir to marry everything and when the pan smells like garlic and ginger, add the heavy cream and stir again until everything is the same color. Partially cover and simmer on low for 20 minutes.
- 4
For serving: Stir in the cilantro and serve over rice with another sprinkle of cilantro.
Sunny’s Easy Butter Chicken
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About this Recipe
Dreaming of the rich, creamy flavors of authentic butter chicken but short on time? Sunny’s Easy Butter Chicken brings those beloved tastes right to your table, simplifying a classic for a perfect weeknight meal. This recipe, a delicious take on the traditional Punjabi dish murgh makhani, ensures you don't have to compromise on flavor for convenience.
This take on butter chicken stands out by smartly incorporating convenient frozen garlic and ginger pods, slashing prep time without sacrificing depth of flavor. The vibrant spice marinade, featuring Greek yogurt, chili powder, cumin, turmeric, garam masala, and hot Hungarian paprika, tenderizes the chicken, ensuring every bite is succulent and aromatic. It's a clever approach that lets you enjoy restaurant-quality taste with significantly less effort.
Prepare for a deeply satisfying dish where tender chicken pieces are bathed in a velvety, subtly sweet, and richly spiced tomato-cream sauce. The harmonious blend of warming spices creates a complex aroma that’s both comforting and exciting, balanced by the tang of the marinade and the sweetness of crushed tomatoes. You’ll find the luxurious sauce clings beautifully to the chicken, making it ideal for soaking up with fluffy basmati rice.
For customization, you can certainly substitute fresh grated ginger and garlic for the frozen pods if you prefer. If chicken tenders aren't on hand, boneless, skinless chicken thighs can also be used for a slightly different texture. Feel free to adjust the amount of chili powder or hot Hungarian paprika in the marinade to control the heat level to your personal preference.
Serve this aromatic butter chicken hot alongside a generous portion of cooked basmati rice, beautifully garnished with fresh chopped cilantro for a bright, herbaceous finish. It's a comforting and indulgent meal that feels special enough for guests but is simple enough for any evening.