Butter Chicken (Murgh Makhani)

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

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

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. 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.
  5. 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.
  6. 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].
  7. 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.
  8. 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.
  9. 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.