Authentic Murgh Makhani Recipe – The Indian Butter Chicken Recipe

Name: Authentic Murgh Makhani Recipe – The Indian Butter Chicken Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 1 h 30 min
Yield: 4
Ingredients: 1 1/2 cup Yogurt; 2 tablespoons Lemon juice; 1 1/2 tablespoon Garam masala; 1 1/2 tablespoon Ground turmeric; 2 tablespoons Ground cumin; 1 tablespoon Paprika; 1 tablespoon Chili powder; 2 teaspoons Salt; 4 cloves Garlic; 2 tablespoons Ginger; 2 pounds Chicken Thighs; 1/4 cup Unsalted Butter; 2 tablespoons Vegetable oil; 1 Onion; 4 cloves Garlic; 2 tablespoons Ginger; 1 tablespoon Cumin seeds; 1 Cinnamon stick; 3 tablespoons Tomato paste; 1 can Tomatoes; 2/3 cups Chicken broth; 1/2 cup Heavy cream; 2 teaspoons Salt; 3 tablespoons Almonds; 1/4 cup Cilantro leaves

Food Expert Ryan June 22, 2023

Learn how to make the most delicious and authentic Murgh Makhani at home with this easy step-by-step guide. This Indian butter chicken recipe is rich, creamy, and full of flavor. Perfect for special occasion.

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Murgh Makhani with rice - Indian Butter Chicken with rice

You have probably tried Murgh Makhani, or butter chicken, at least once in your life. It is one of the most popular and well-known dishes in Indian cuisine, and for a good reason. It is a dish that combines tender pieces of chicken marinated in yogurt and spices with a velvety sauce made with tomatoes, cream, butter, and more spices. It is a dish that is indulgent, comforting, and satisfying.

But did you know that you can make this amazing dish of Murgh Makhanni at home with simple ingredients and minimal effort? Yes, you can!

In this post, I will show you how to make the best Murgh Makhani recipe from scratch, using authentic techniques and flavors. You will learn how to marinate the chicken for maximum juiciness and flavor, how to cook it under the broiler to get that charred effect similar to a tandoor oven, how to make the sauce with the right balance of sweetness, tanginess, and spiciness, and how to serve it with rice, naan bread, or roti.

Murgh Makhani Recipe, Indian Butter Chicken Recipe.

This Murgh Makhani recipe is not only delicious but also easy to make. You don’t need any special equipment or ingredients, just a blender, a baking sheet, and a large pot. You can also make it ahead of time and reheat it when you are ready to serve. It is a perfect dish for a cozy family dinner or a special occasion.

Murgh Makhani is best served with basmati rice or any type of Indian bread such as naan bread or roti. You can also serve it with some raita (yogurt sauce) or mango chutney for some contrast.

Murgh Makhani “Indian Butter Chicken” is a dish that will make you fall in love with Indian food all over again. It is a dish that is rich in taste but not too heavy on the stomach. It is a dish that is easy to make but looks impressive on the table. It is a dish that is perfect for any occasion and any season.

Let’s get started and make the ultimate Murgh Makhani recipe!

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Authentic Murgh Makhani Recipe – The Indian Butter Chicken Recipe

Author: Food Expert Ryan Cooking Method: Broiling, Stovetop Cuisine: Indian Courses: Dinner, Lunch Recipe Keys: A Authentic Non Vegetarian

Difficulty: Beginner Prep Time 15 mins Cook Time 45 mins Rest Time 30 mins Total Time 1 hr 30 mins

Servings: 4 Calories: 700 kcal

Best Season: Suitable throughout the year

Description

Murgh Makhani is a dish that originated in Delhi in the 1950s as a way to use up leftover tandoori chicken. The chef of a famous restaurant decided to create a sauce with butter, tomatoes, cream, and spices to coat the dry chicken pieces and make them moist and flavorful. The dish was an instant hit and soon became a staple in Indian restaurants all over the world.

Another Name for Murgh Makhani literally means “butter chicken” in Hindi. It is also known as chicken makhani or chicken butter masala. It is a dish that consists of two main components: the chicken and the gravy / sauce.

The chicken is marinated in yogurt and spices. The yogurt helps to tenderize the chicken and infuse it with flavor. The spices give it a vibrant color and aroma.

The chicken is then cooked under the broiler until it is charred on the outside but still juicy on the inside. This mimics the effect of a tandoor oven, which is a traditional clay oven used in Indian cooking. The high heat creates a smoky flavor and a crispy texture on the chicken.

The sauce is made with butter, onion, garlic, ginger, cumin seeds, cinnamon stick, tomato paste, diced tomatoes, chicken broth, cream, tomato paste, ground almonds (or cashews), cilantro leaves (or kasuri methi), and more spices. The butter adds richness and smoothness to the sauce. The onion adds sweetness and body. The garlic and ginger add freshness and zing. The cumin seeds add crunch and nuttiness. The cinnamon stick adds warmth and fragrance. The tomato paste adds depth and color. The diced tomatoes add acidity and freshness. The chicken broth adds moisture and flavor. The cream adds creaminess and mellows out the spiciness. The tomato paste adds thickness and tanginess. The ground almonds (or cashews) add texture and nuttiness. The cilantro leaves (or kasuri methi) add brightness and herbaceousness.

Murgh Makhani is best served with basmati rice (long grain rice) or any type of Indian bread such as naan bread or roti, or butter naan or rumali roti (the thinnest chapati like a handkerchief). You can also serve it with some raita (yogurt sauce) or mango chutney for some contrast.

Murgh Makhani is a dish that will make you fall in love with Indian food all over again. It is a dish that is rich in taste but not too heavy on the stomach. It is a dish that is easy to make but looks impressive on the table. It is a dish that is perfect for any occasion and any season.

Try this Murgh Makhani recipe today and enjoy the ultimate Indian butter chicken at home!

Instructions

In a large bowl, whisk together the yogurt, lemon juice, garam masala, turmeric, cumin, paprika, chili powder, salt, garlic, and ginger. Add the chicken pieces and toss well to coat. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes or an hour or up to overnight.
Preheat the oven to broil and line a baking sheet with foil. Arrange the chicken pieces in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet and discard the excess marinade. Broil for about 15 minutes, turning once halfway through, until the chicken is charred on the edges but still juicy inside.
In a large pot over the medium heat, melt the butter with the oil. Add the onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until soft and golden, about 15 minutes. Add the garlic, ginger, cumin seeds, and cinnamon stick and cook for another 5 minutes, stirring frequently.
Stir in the tomato paste and cook for a minute. Then add the diced tomatoes, stir for about a minute.
Add chicken broth slowly and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer for about 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Carefully transfer the sauce to a blender and blend until smooth.
Return the sauce to the pot and bring to a simmer over low heat. Stir in the cream, salt, ground almonds (or cashews), and half of the cilantro leaves (or kasuri methi).
Add the chicken pieces to the sauce and simmer for another 10 minutes or until heated through and slightly thickened.
Sprinkle the remaining cilantro leaves (or kasuri methi) over the dish and serve hot with the Rice or the Indian breads, Or even regular bread/buns.

Nutrition Facts

Servings 4

Amount Per Serving
Calories 700kcal

% Daily Value *
Total Fat 46g71%
Saturated Fat 22g111%
Total Carbohydrate 25g9%
Dietary Fiber 6g24%
Sugars 12g
Protein 49g98%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

Note

Notes:

You can use chicken breasts instead of thighs if you prefer leaner meat, but they may dry out faster under the broiler.
You can use Greek yogurt instead of plain yogurt for a thicker marinade.
You can use coconut milk instead of heavy cream for a dairy-free option.
You can use cashews instead of almonds for a nuttier flavor.
You can use kasuri methi (dried fenugreek leaves) instead of cilantro for a more authentic flavor.

Keywords: Murgh Makhani, Indian Butter Chicken Recipe, Butter Chicken Recipe, another name of butter chicken, murgh makhani recipe, easy butter chicken recipe, how to make butter chicken, restaurant-style butter chicken recipe, Indian Chicken Curry, Chicken Makhani, Chicken Butter Masala

Frequently Asked Questions

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What is garam masala?

Garam masala is a spice blend that is commonly used in Indian cuisine. It usually consists of cardamom, cinnamon, cloves, cumin, coriander, nutmeg, black pepper

Can I use other types of chicken?

Yes, you can use other types of chicken in this recipe, such as boneless, skinless chicken thighs or drumsticks. However, the cooking time may need to be adjusted slightly.

What is the difference between Murgh Makhani and Chicken Tikka Masala?

Murgh Makhani and Chicken Tikka Masala are both Indian dishes that feature chicken pieces in a creamy tomato sauce. However, they have some differences in their origin, ingredients, and flavor. Murgh Makhani originated in Delhi and is made with yogurt-marinated chicken that is broiled or grilled before being added to the sauce. The sauce is made with butter, cream, almonds (or cashews), and cilantro (or kasuri methi). The dish has a mild to medium spiciness and a sweet and tangy flavor. Chicken Tikka Masala originated in Britain and is made with chicken that is marinated in spices and cooked in the sauce. The sauce is made with cream, tomato paste, and fenugreek leaves. The dish has a medium to hot spiciness and a smoky and savory flavor.

How can I make this recipe vegan?

You can make this recipe vegan by replacing the chicken with tofu or chickpeas. You can also use vegan yogurt, butter, and cream alternatives. For example, you can use soy yogurt, vegan butter, and coconut cream. You can also use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth. Make sure to adjust the seasoning and cooking time accordingly.