Embark on a culinary adventure with the BESTE Butter Chicken recipe, designed to bring the authentic taste of this beloved Indian classic right into your kitchen. This guide will walk you through creating a truly satisfying and incredibly delicious meal that’s surprisingly simple to master, making it the ultimate comfort food for any occasion.
Key Ingredients for BESTE Butter Chicken
- 1.5 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into 1-inch pieces
- 1/2 cup plain yogurt (full-fat is recommended for creaminess)
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon grated fresh ginger
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon garam masala
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon ground coriander
- 1/2 teaspoon Kashmiri chili powder (or paprika for less heat)
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 large onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon grated fresh ginger
- 1 (28-ounce) can crushed tomatoes
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1 teaspoon sugar (optional, to balance acidity)
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro, for garnish
How to Make BESTE Butter Chicken
Discover how this BESTE Butter Chicken recipe is your ticket to restaurant-quality flavor with minimal fuss. Prepare for a rich, velvety sauce enveloping tender chicken pieces in just about 15 minutes of prep and 40 minutes of cooking. This dish promises a delightful balance of spices and creamy indulgence that will leave you completely satisfied.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Marinate the Chicken: In a medium bowl, combine the chicken pieces with plain yogurt, lemon juice, minced garlic, grated ginger, garam masala, cumin, coriander, Kashmiri chili powder, and salt. Mix well to ensure each piece of chicken is coated. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, or up to 4 hours, for maximum flavor infusion. The longer it marinates, the more tender and flavorful your chicken will be.
Sear the Chicken (Optional but Recommended): You can either cook the marinated chicken directly in the sauce, or for an enhanced flavor and texture, sear it. Heat a tablespoon of oil or butter in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the marinated chicken in a single layer (cook in batches if necessary to avoid overcrowding) and sear for 2-3 minutes per side until lightly browned. Remove the chicken from the pan and set aside. Don’t worry about cooking it through at this stage; it will finish cooking in the sauce.
Sauté Aromatics: In the same skillet or Dutch oven (add a little more butter if needed), melt 2 tablespoons of unsalted butter over medium heat. Add the finely chopped onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened and translucent, about 5-7 minutes. Add the minced garlic and grated ginger to the pan and cook for another minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn them.
Simmer the Tomato Base: Pour in the crushed tomatoes. Stir well and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer. Cook for about 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally, allowing the flavors to meld and the sauce to thicken slightly. This simmering process deepens the tomato flavor and reduces any raw acidity.
Combine and Cook Chicken: Return the seared chicken (and any accumulated juices) to the skillet with the tomato sauce. Stir to coat the chicken evenly. Reduce the heat to low, cover the skillet, and let the chicken simmer gently in the sauce for 15-20 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and tender. The sauce should have thickened and coated the chicken beautifully.
Finish with Cream and Sugar: Stir in the heavy cream and sugar (if using). Cook for another 2-3 minutes, stirring, until the sauce is heated through and wonderfully creamy. Avoid boiling after adding the cream, as it can cause it to curdle. Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary, adding more salt or a pinch of sugar if desired.
Serve: Ladle the BESTE Butter Chicken into bowls. Garnish generously with fresh chopped cilantro. Serve hot with basmati rice, naan bread, or your favorite Indian accompaniments.
Why You’ll Love This BESTE Butter Chicken
You’ll adore this BESTE Butter Chicken for its unforgettably rich, velvety-smooth tomato-cream sauce that hugs perfectly tender chicken pieces. This is not just about incredible taste; it’s also a fantastic cost-saver compared to ordering takeout, allowing you to enjoy this restaurant-favorite in the comfort of your own home for a fraction of the price. The subtle, warming spices, balanced by the luxurious cream and a hint of sweetness, create a flavor profile that is simply irresistible.
Unlike a simpler chicken curry, the depth of creaminess and the slightly sweet-tangy profile of this BESTE Butter Chicken sets it apart, offering a truly indulgent experience. The optional char from searing the chicken adds another layer of complexity that elevates each bite. So why wait for a special occasion? Gather your ingredients, follow these simple steps, and prepare to be amazed by how easy it is to create this magnificent dish. Give this BESTE Butter Chicken recipe a try today and transform your dinner table!
Storing and Reheating Tips
Properly storing your BESTE Butter Chicken ensures you can enjoy its deliciousness for days to come.
- Refrigeration: Allow the butter chicken to cool completely before transferring it to an airtight container. It will stay fresh in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
- Freezing: For longer storage, portion the cooled butter chicken into freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags. It can be frozen for up to 3 months.
- Reheating (Stovetop): The best way to reheat is on the stovetop. Gently warm the butter chicken in a saucepan over low to medium heat, stirring occasionally, until heated through. You may need to add a splash of water or cream if the sauce has thickened too much.
- Reheating (Microwave): Microwave individual portions on medium power, stirring halfway through, until hot. Be mindful that the texture of the sauce might be slightly different compared to stovetop reheating.
- Thawing Frozen Butter Chicken: Transfer frozen butter chicken to the refrigerator overnight to thaw before reheating.
Final Thoughts
The BESTE Butter Chicken is more than just a meal; it’s an experience of comfort and flavor that’s surprisingly accessible. We encourage you to give this recipe a try and savor the delightful taste of this classic dish made with love right in your own kitchen. You won’t be disappointed!
try also :
- Lentil and Sweet Potato Salad
- Cranberry Brie Bites
- Crispy Sweet Potato Bites
- Matcha Cake Recipe
- find more in Pinterest
BESTE Butter Chicken
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- In a medium bowl, combine the chicken pieces with plain yogurt, lemon juice, minced garlic, grated ginger, garam masala, cumin, coriander, Kashmiri chili powder, and salt. Mix well to ensure each piece of chicken is coated. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, or up to 4 hours, for maximum flavor infusion.1.5 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into 1-inch pieces, 1/2 cup plain yogurt, 2 tablespoons lemon juice, 1 tablespoon grated fresh ginger, 2 cloves garlic, minced, 1 teaspoon garam masala, 1 teaspoon ground cumin, 1 teaspoon ground coriander, 1/2 teaspoon Kashmiri chili powder, 1/2 teaspoon salt
- Heat a tablespoon of oil or butter in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the marinated chicken in a single layer (cook in batches if necessary to avoid overcrowding) and sear for 2-3 minutes per side until lightly browned. Remove the chicken from the pan and set aside.
- In the same skillet or Dutch oven (add a little more butter if needed), melt 2 tablespoons of unsalted butter over medium heat. Add the finely chopped onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened and translucent, about 5-7 minutes. Add the minced garlic and grated ginger to the pan and cook for another minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn them.2 tablespoons unsalted butter, 1 large onion, finely chopped, 2 cloves garlic, minced, 1 tablespoon grated fresh ginger
- Pour in the crushed tomatoes. Stir well and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer. Cook for about 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally, allowing the flavors to meld and the sauce to thicken slightly.1 (28-ounce) can crushed tomatoes
- Return the seared chicken (and any accumulated juices) to the skillet with the tomato sauce. Stir to coat the chicken evenly. Reduce the heat to low, cover the skillet, and let the chicken simmer gently in the sauce for 15-20 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and tender.
- Stir in the heavy cream and sugar (if using). Cook for another 2-3 minutes, stirring, until the sauce is heated through and wonderfully creamy. Avoid boiling after adding the cream, as it can cause it to curdle.1/2 cup heavy cream, 1 teaspoon sugar
- Ladle the BESTE Butter Chicken into bowls. Garnish generously with fresh chopped cilantro. Serve hot with basmati rice, naan bread, or your favorite Indian accompaniments.1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro, for garnish