The Best Butter Chicken

Joshua Weissman is the king of chicken.

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The Best Butter Chicken
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Ingredients

Marinade:

  • 1.5 lbs (680g) chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 3/4 cup (145g) yogurt
  • 2.5 tsp (6g) Kashmiri chili powder
  • 1 tsp (2g) turmeric
  • 2 tsp (10g) lemon juice
  • 1 tsp (2g) ground cumin
  • 1 Tbsp (7g) Garam masala
  • 2 tsp (10g) fine sea salt
  • 2-inch knob ginger grated

Curry Sauce:

  • 1 onion, thinly sliced
  • 5 garlic cloves, finely chopped
  • 1 tsp (2g) Garam masala
  • 1 tsp (2g) Kashmiri chili powder
  • 1/2 tsp (1g) turmeric
  • 1/2 tsp (1g) fenugreek powder
  • 1 Tbsp (13g) granulated sugar
  • 2 Tbsp (28g) ghee
  • 14oz (397g) crushed tomatoes
  • 3/4 cup (177ml) heavy cream
  • 2 Tbsp (28g) unsalted butter
  • Fresh cilantro for garnish

Directions

Marinade:

  1. Place your chicken thighs in a bowl, add the rest of the ingredients and mix thoroughly, ensuring the chicken gets completely coated with the marinade.
  2. Cover with plastic wrap and reserve.

Curry Sauce:

  1. Heat a 12” nonstick skillet over medium-high heat, add ghee; once melted, add your marinated chicken pieces and sear them on all sides until golden brown (It is okay if it does not get cooked all the way through).
  2. Remove your chicken, place it on a baking sheet, and reserve.
  3. Add your onions, season with salt, add garlic, ginger, and cook until softened in the same pan, stirring often, followed by Garam Masala, Kashmiri chili powder, turmeric, fenugreek powder, and granulated sugar.
  4. Add in your crushed tomatoes and reduce for 2 minutes. Using an immersion blender, blend the mixture in the pot until smooth.
  5. Place the sauce back in the pan, add your chicken, cover with a lid and simmer for 10 minutes; add heavy cream and simmer until thickened.
  6. Cut the heat, stir in butter, and season with salt to taste.
  7. Serve your chicken over rice, optionally garnished with cilantro.