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Indian Butter Chicken on rice with a spoon
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Indian Butter Chicken Recipe

Rich, creamy, and fragrant, this Indian Butter Chicken Recipe is just about perfect. It's easy to prepare and just might make you think twice about running out for take-out the next time you're in the mood for Indian.
Course Main Course
Cuisine Indian
Keyword garam masala, heavy cream, Slow Cooker
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings 6 servings
Calories 779kcal

Ingredients

  • ¾ cup salted butter
  • 1 onion chopped
  • pinch of baking soda
  • 1 tablespoon garlic minced
  • 1, 15 ounce can tomato sauce
  • 1 , 14 ounce can coconut milk 
  • 2 teaspoons kosher salt
  • ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper more or less if you want
  • 2 tablespoons + 1 teaspoon garam masala SEE NOTE 1
  • 2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breast  cut into 1 ½" pieces
  • 1 ½ cup heavy cream
  • Fresh Cilantro
  • Lemon Juice

Instructions

Stovetop Preparation:

  • Melt butter over medium heat and add onion and pinch of baking soda. Cook, stirring frequently until the onions are golden and caramelized. Stir in garlic and cook an additional minute followed by the garam masala and cayenne pepper. Cook for 1 minute or until the spices are aromatic.
  • Stir in tomato sauce and coconut milk, salt. 
  • Add chicken pieces to the sauce and simmer on low until chicken is cooked through and tender. About 20 minutes. 
  • Stir the heavy cream into the sauce and chicken and allow to heat back up. Garnish with fresh cilantro and lemon juice, serve over steamed rice. 

Slow Cooker Preparation:

  • Melt butter over medium heat and add onion and pinch of baking soda. Cook, stirring frequently until the onions are golden and caramelized. Stir in garlic and cook an additional minute, followed by the garam masala and cayenne pepper. Cook for 1 minute or until aromatic.
  • Stir in tomato sauce and coconut milk and salt. Pour sauce into slow cooker and stir in chicken.
  • Cook on low for 6 hours (High for 3) or until the chicken is tender. Stir heavy cream into the slow cooker, cover and let cook an additional 15 minutes or until hot. Garnish with lemon juice and fresh cilantro. Serve over rice.

Notes

Garam Masala is a spice blend typically found in most grocery store spice aisles. If you'd like to make your own, it's pretty easy to do. This is the recipe I use. Note that not all Garam Masala spice mixes will taste the same but will give similar results in your Butter Chicken.
Garam Masala:
  • 1 tablespoon ground cumin
  • 1 ½ teaspoons ground coriander
  • 1 ½ teaspoons ground cardamom
  • 1 ½ teaspoons ground black pepper
  •  1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • ½ teaspoon ground cloves
  • ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
  1. Combine all ingredients and store in an airtight container until use. 

Nutrition

Calories: 779kcal | Carbohydrates: 9g | Protein: 36g | Fat: 67g | Saturated Fat: 45g | Cholesterol: 239mg | Sodium: 1581mg | Potassium: 1033mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 2025IU | Vitamin C: 9.9mg | Calcium: 81mg | Iron: 3.5mg