Authentic Butter Chicken Recipe | Creamy Indian Restaurant Style Chicken Makhani

Authentic Butter Chicken Recipe Indian Restaurant Style

    This creamy and rich curry is also called Chicken Makhani and was originally created in Delhi. The recipe combines tender chicken pieces with buttery tomato gravy, cream, and flavorful Indian spices. 

Restaurant-style butter chicken has a smooth texture, mildly spicy taste, and rich aroma that makes it perfect for family dinners, parties, and special occasions. 

The combination of butter, cream, tomatoes, and marinated chicken creates a delicious curry that tastes amazing with naan, roti, or basmati rice. 

This authentic butter chicken recipe is easy to prepare at home using simple ingredients available in most kitchens. The secret of the best butter chicken lies in proper marination, slow cooking, and balancing the spices correctly.

 Why You Will Love This Recipe Rich creamy restaurant-style gravy Soft and juicy chicken pieces Easy homemade Indian curry recipe Perfect for lunch or dinner Great with naan and rice Full of authentic Indian flavors Preparation

 Time Preparation Time: 20 minutes Marination Time: 1 hour Cooking Time: 35 minutes Total Time: 1 hour 55 minutes Ingredients for Chicken Marinade 500 grams boneless chicken 1/2 cup thick curd 1 tablespoon ginger garlic paste 1 teaspoon red chili powder 1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder 1 teaspoon garam masala 1 tablespoon lemon juice Salt as needed 1 tablespoon oil Ingredients for Butter Chicken Gravy 3 large tomatoes 2 tablespoons butter 1 tablespoon oil 1 large onion chopped 1 tablespoon ginger garlic paste 10 cashew nuts 1 teaspoon Kashmiri red chili powder 1 teaspoon coriander powder 1/2 teaspoon cumin powder 1 teaspoon garam masala 1 teaspoon sugar Salt as needed 1/2 cup fresh cream 1 teaspoon kasuri methi Fresh coriander leaves How to Marinate Chicken Take a large bowl and add curd, ginger garlic paste, turmeric powder, red chili powder, garam masala, lemon juice, oil, and salt. Mix everything properly into a smooth marinade.

 Add chicken pieces into the marinade and coat them well. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least one hour. Longer marination helps the chicken absorb all the flavors and makes it soft and juicy. Cooking the Chicken Heat a pan with little oil or butter on medium flame.

 Add the marinated chicken pieces and cook for about 10 to 12 minutes. Cook until the chicken becomes tender and slightly charred on the edges. 

Do not overcook the chicken because it may become dry. Once cooked, keep the chicken aside. Preparing Butter Chicken Masala Heat butter and oil in another pan. 

Add chopped onions and sauté until soft and light golden brown. Add ginger garlic paste and cook for one minute until the raw smell disappears. 

Now add chopped tomatoes and cashew nuts. Cook until the tomatoes become soft and mushy. Allow the mixture to cool completely.

 Transfer it to a blender and blend into a smooth creamy paste. Making Authentic Butter Chicken Gravy Heat butter in a deep pan and pour the prepared tomato-cashew paste into it. 

Cook the gravy on low flame for 8 to 10 minutes until the butter starts separating from the masala. Add Kashmiri red chili powder, coriander powder, cumin powder, garam masala, sugar, and salt. Mix well. Add the cooked chicken pieces into the gravy and simmer for 10 minutes so the chicken absorbs all the flavors. 

Crush kasuri methi between your palms and add it to the curry. Finally pour fresh cream and mix gently. Simmer for 2 minutes on low flame. Garnish with fresh coriander leaves and little cream before serving. 

 Best Side Dishes for Butter Chicken Butter chicken tastes best with: Butter naan Garlic naan Tandoori roti Jeera rice Basmati rice Laccha paratha The creamy gravy pairs perfectly with soft Indian breads and flavored rice dishes. 

Tips for Restaurant Style Butter Chicken Use Boneless Chicken Thighs Chicken thighs remain juicy and tender compared to chicken breast pieces.

 Kashmiri Chili Powder for Color Kashmiri red chili powder gives beautiful restaurant-style red color without making the curry very spicy. 

Cashews for Creaminess Cashews create smooth rich gravy naturally without using too much cream. Slow Cooking is Important Slow cooking helps the butter, tomatoes, cream, and spices blend perfectly. 

Do Not Overheat Cream Always cook cream on low flame to avoid curdling. Health Benefits of Butter Chicken Butter chicken contains good protein from chicken which helps muscle growth and body strength.

 Tomatoes provide antioxidants and vitamins while Indian spices like turmeric and ginger contain anti-inflammatory properties. 

Although butter chicken is rich and creamy, it can still be enjoyed in moderation as part of a balanced meal. Storage and Reheating Tips Store leftover butter chicken in an airtight container inside the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat slowly on low flame before serving. 

Add little warm water or cream if the gravy becomes too thick. You can also freeze butter chicken gravy for future use. Common Mistakes to Avoid Skipping chicken marination Cooking chicken on very high flame Using too much cream Not blending gravy smoothly Overcooking the chicken Avoiding these mistakes helps you get perfect restaurant-style butter chicken every time.

 Frequently Asked Questions 

Can I make butter chicken without cream? Yes, you can use milk or cashew paste instead of cream, but cream gives authentic restaurant-style richness. 

Is butter chicken spicy? Traditional butter chicken is mildly spicy and slightly sweet compared to other Indian curries. Can I use bone-in chicken? Yes, bone-in chicken adds extra flavor, but boneless chicken cooks faster and is easier to eat.

 Which butter is best for butter chicken? Unsalted butter works best because you can control the salt level easily.

 Can I prepare butter chicken ahead of time? Yes, butter chicken tastes even better after a few hours because the flavors blend well.

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 Final Thoughts This authentic butter chicken recipe Indian restaurant style is rich, creamy, flavorful, and perfect for special family meals. 

The soft juicy chicken combined with buttery tomato gravy creates a delicious dish loved by people around the world. Serve this homemade butter chicken hot with naan or rice and enjoy classic Indian restaurant flavor at home.