Butter Chicken in 30 Minutes

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This is a lovely comforting dish from my 30 Minute Indian book. Usually butter chicken is slow-cooked but this is a quick version that doesn’t compromise on flavour.

Ingredients
8 skinless, boneless chicken thighs cut into bitesize pieces (about 1”)

For the Marinade
3 tbsp natural yoghurt
2 tbsp mustard/rapeseed/sublfowe oil
3 garlic cloves, grated
thumb-sized piece of ginger, grated
1 tsp Kashmiri chilli powder
1 tsp salt

For the Sauce
1 tbsp sunflower oil
heaped tbsp/50g butter
1 bay leaf
3-4 cardamom pods
1 cinnamon stick
3 garlic cloves, grated
4 cloves
200mml passata/chopped tomatoes blitzed to make a smooth paste
½ tsp salt
1 tsp chilli powder (or less to taste)
1 tbsp dried fenugreek leaves
1 tsp garam masala
1 tsp honey
1 tbsp double cream

Method
– Preheat oven to 200°C / 180°C with a fan

– In a bowl, mix yoghurt and oil. Add 3 grated garlic cloves and ginger.

– Add chilli powder and salt and mix well.

– Add chicken pieces to the mix. Marinade for 15-20 minutes if time.

– Transfer onto a baking tray and place in the oven for 10 minutes.

– Meanwhile, heat a pan and add oil and butter to melt.

– Add the bay leaf, cardamom pods, cinnamon stick, cloves, 3 grated garlic cloves, and tomatoes. Mix and cover. Cook on medium heat for 10 mins.

– Add salt, chilli powder, fenugreek leaves, and garam masala.

– Remove chicken from the oven.

– Transfer everything, including the liquid, into the sauce and stir to mix.

– Add honey to balance out the flavour and double cream. Stir together and remove from the heat.

– Serve and remove any whole spices (bay leaf, cinnamon stick).

Drizzle with a little cream and add a dollop of butter. Enjoy with rice or naan.

4 thoughts on “Butter Chicken in 30 Minutes”

  1. I made this with halloumi and mushrooms instead of chicken. Absolutely delicious. Every Chetna dish I have made is delicious. Prior to discovering her recipes I just could not cook Indian. My vegetarian partner cannot believe how well he eats now.
    Thanks Chetna.

    Reply
  2. Wow! I’ve always struggled to make authentic tasting Indian food but this was a winner! Very simple to follow and I had most ingredients on hand. Definitely will be making this again.

    Reply
  3. my kids favourite and a go to friday night family recipe after a busy week.appreciate the simplicity but depth of flavour.
    (just noticed cloves are in sauce method but not in ingredients list )
    thanks for another great recipe 😋

    Reply

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