
Butter Chicken (Murgh Makhani)
A rich, velvety Indian classic that's deeply satisfying and surprisingly approachable. Tender marinated chicken simmers in a luscious tomato-cream sauce fragrant with warm spices. This home-tested version balances bold flavor with everyday technique — no specialty equipment needed. Perfect over basmati rice or with warm naan to soak up every drop of that gorgeous orange sauce.
4 servings · Prep 25 min · Cook 40 min · Total 65 min
Main Course
Ingredients
Open in recipe scaler →Marinade
2 lb boneless skinless chicken thighs cut into 2-inch pieces
1 tbsp lemon juice freshly squeezed
4 cloves garlic minced
1 tsp fresh ginger finely grated
1.5 tsp garam masala
1 tsp ground cumin
0.5 tsp turmeric
1 tsp kosher salt
Main
3 tbsp unsalted butter divided
1 yellow onion finely diced
5 cloves garlic minced
1 tbsp fresh ginger finely grated
1 tbsp tomato paste
1 can crushed tomatoes
1.5 tsp garam masala
1 tsp ground cumin
1 tsp ground coriander
0.5 tsp turmeric
1 tsp sugar to balance acidity
1 tsp kosher salt plus more
1 cup heavy cream
1 tbsp unsalted butter for finishing
Garnish
2 tbsp fresh cilantro roughly chopped
2 tbsp heavy cream for drizzling
Equipment
Oven
Stovetop
Dutch Oven
Blender
Aluminum Foil
Baking Sheet
Parchment Paper
Mixing Bowl
Skillet
Pot
Broiler
Wooden Spoon
Immersion Blender
Wire Rack
Whisk
Knife
Pan
Jelly Roll (10x15)
Ladle
Cutting Board
Mixing Bowl (4 Quarts)
Grater
Instructions
- In a large #[Mixing Bowl], combine the @[Yogurt], @[Lemon Juice], @[Minced Garlic], @[Grated Ginger], @[Garam Masala], @[Cumin], @[Kashmiri Chili Powder], @[Turmeric], and @[Kosher Salt]. Whisk until smooth. Add the @[Chicken Thighs] pieces and toss well to coat every piece. Cover and refrigerate for at least ~[1 hour], or up to ~[12 hours]. Longer is better — even ~[30 minutes] works in a pinch.
- When ready to cook, position an #[Oven] rack about 6 inches from the #[Broiler] and preheat to broil (![500°F]). Line a #[Baking Sheet] with #[Aluminum Foil] and place a #[Wire Rack] on top. Arrange the marinated @[Chicken Thighs] pieces in a single layer on the rack. Broil for ~[10–12 minutes], flipping once halfway through, until the chicken is charred in spots and cooked through. Set aside — it will finish cooking in the sauce.
- While the chicken broils, melt ~[2 tablespoons] of @[Butter] with the @[Oil] in a large, deep #[Skillet] or #[Dutch Oven] over ^[medium heat]. Add the diced @[Yellow Onion] and cook, stirring occasionally, for ~[10–12 minutes] until deeply golden and soft. Don't rush this step — well-caramelized onions build the backbone of the sauce.
- Add the @[Garlic] and @[Ginger] to the onions and cook for ~[1–2 minutes] until fragrant. Add the @[Tomato Paste] and stir it in, cooking for another ~[2 minutes] until it deepens in color.
- Add the @[Garam Masala], @[Cumin], @[Coriander], @[Kashmiri Chili Powder], and @[Turmeric]. Stir constantly for ~[30 seconds] to bloom the spices in the fat. Pour in the @[Crushed Tomatoes], @[Sugar], and @[Kosher Salt]. Stir to combine, bring to a simmer, then reduce heat to ^[medium-low] and cook uncovered for ~[15 minutes], stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens and the oil starts to separate slightly at the edges.
- Use an #[Immersion Blender] to blend the sauce until completely smooth and silky. Alternatively, carefully transfer to a #[Blender] in batches and blend. Return the sauce to the pan over ^[medium-low heat].
- Pour in the @[Heavy Cream] and stir to combine. Add the broiled @[Chicken Thighs] pieces along with any resting juices from the #[Baking Sheet]. Gently simmer for ~[8–10 minutes], stirring occasionally, until the chicken is tender and the sauce has thickened to a creamy, coating consistency.
- Remove from heat and stir in the remaining ~[1 tablespoon] of @[Butter] until melted and glossy. Taste and adjust @[Kosher Salt] as needed. The butter at the end gives the sauce its signature silky richness.
- Ladle the butter chicken into bowls over steamed basmati rice or alongside warm naan. Drizzle with a little @[Heavy Cream] and scatter fresh @[Cilantro] on top. Serve immediately.
