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Traditional Butter Chicken

2022-09-10

By Paneer

Indian Cuisine

Main Course

3 Simple Methods for Perfect Butter Chicken: Instant Pot, Slow Cooker, and Air Fryer

Quick and Tender Butter Chicken in the Instant Pot: A One-Pot Wonder in 8 Minutes

Use the "Pressure Cook" function for a quick and tender butter chicken. Sauté your onions, garlic, and spices using the "Sauté" mode, then add chicken and sauce ingredients. Seal the Instant Pot and cook on high pressure for 8 minutes for perfectly cooked chicken, all in one pot!

Slow Cooker Butter Chicken: Rich, Flavorful, and Tender with Minimal Effort

For a rich, slow-cooked flavor, set your slow cooker to low for 6-8 hours. Add your marinated chicken, butter, cream, and spices, and let the cooker do all the work. The slow cook method infuses the chicken with incredible flavor and tenderness, giving you a restaurant-quality dish with minimal effort.

Crispy, Juicy Butter Chicken: Air Fryer Recipe for Perfectly Tender Results

For crispy, juicy chicken, marinate your chicken pieces and cook them in the air fryer at 375°F for 15-20 minutes. After air frying, toss the chicken in a creamy butter sauce prepared on the stovetop or in the Instant Pot. This method offers a crispy outside with a tender, flavorful inside.

Tips and Suggestions on Butter Chicken

Marinating the chicken

Marination is key to making tender and juicy Butter Chicken. Marinate the chicken in yogurt, spices, salt, and lemon for at least 30 minutes or overnight.

Cooking the chicken

Cook the chicken until it is cooked through, but do not overcook it, as it may become dry and tough. If using bone-in chicken, cook it longer than boneless chicken.

Balancing the flavors

Butter Chicken should have a balance of sweet, sour, spicy, and creamy flavors. Balancing these flavors can be a challenge, but you can do this by adjusting the amount of cream, tomato sauce, and spices.

Creating the perfect texture

The tomato sauce used in Butter Chicken should be smooth and creamy. To achieve this, blend the tomatoes into a smooth puree before cooking.

Finishing the dish

After cooking the chicken, simmer it in a mixture of tomato sauce, cream, and spices for a few minutes to infuse the flavors. Finish the dish by adding a dollop of butter and garnishing it with fresh coriander leaves, give our article a read-through Comprehensive tips for Poaching, Stewing, and Braising Ingredients.

Classic Butter Chicken Recipe

Ingredients

  • 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 1/2 cup butter
  • 1 onion, diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 teaspoons grated ginger
  • 2 teaspoons ground coriander
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon turmeric
  • 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 can (14 oz) tomato sauce
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1/4 cup chopped cilantro, for garnish

Instructions

  1. Heat butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onion and cook until softened, about 5-7 minutes.
  2. Add garlic and ginger and cook for an additional 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
  3. Add the chicken pieces and cook until browned on all sides, stirring occasionally.
  4. In a small bowl, mix together coriander, cumin, turmeric, smoked paprika, cayenne pepper, and salt. Add this mixture to the skillet and cook for another 1-2 minutes until the chicken is coated in the spices.
  5. Pour in the tomato sauce and bring to a simmer. Reduce the heat to low and allow to simmer for 20-25 minutes.
  6. Stir in the heavy cream and cook for another 5-7 minutes until the chicken is cooked through and the sauce has thickened.
  7. Garnish with chopped cilantro and serve over rice or with naan bread.

Cooking Time

Preparation Time 20 min

Cook Time 45 min

Total time 1 hr 5 min

Nutrition Facts

  • Calories: 550
  • Fat: 40 g
  • Saturated Fat: 23 g
  • Carbohydrates: 12 g
  • Fiber: 2 g
  • Sugar: 5 g
  • Protein: 37 g

Variations for Butter Chicken

Italian Butter Chicken

This version is made by blending rich Italian flavors into classic butter chicken, featuring a creamy tomato sauce infused with herbs and Parmesan.

Sostanza Italian Butter Chicken

Lemon Butter Chicken

This version is made by adding a zesty lemon twist to traditional butter chicken, enhancing the dish with bright, refreshing citrus notes.

Lemon Butter Chicken

Thai Butter Chicken

This version is made by infusing traditional butter chicken with Thai spices and coconut milk, served over fragrant basmati rice for a delightful fusion.

Thai Butter Chicken with Basmati Rice

Butter Chicken With Coriander

This version is made by pairing creamy butter chicken with aromatic coriander rice, creating a perfect blend of flavors and textures in each bite.

Butter Chicken With Coriander Rice

Teriyaki Butter Chicken

This version is made by combining buttery chicken with savory teriyaki sauce, offering a delicious fusion of Indian and Asian flavors in a single dish.

Teriyaki Butter Chicken

Butter Chicken Recipe Review

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