Butter Chicken Bliss: A Punjabi Classic Made Easy 🌸 🍳

Ingredients 🥄

For the Chicken Marinade:
500g boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
1 tablespoon ginger-garlic paste
1 teaspoon red chili powder (adjust to your spice preference!)
1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1/2 teaspoon garam masala
1/4 cup plain yogurt
For the Butter Chicken Sauce:
2 tablespoons butter
1 medium onion, finely chopped
1 tablespoon ginger-garlic paste
1 teaspoon red chili powder
1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder
1 teaspoon garam masala
1 (14.5 ounce) can crushed tomatoes
1/2 cup heavy cream
1/4 cup cashew nuts (soaked in warm water for 30 minutes, then drained)
1 tablespoon dried fenugreek leaves (kasuri methi), crushed
Salt to taste
Fresh cilantro leaves, chopped, for garnish

Instructions 📋

Let's start by marinating the chicken! In a bowl, combine the chicken pieces with ginger-garlic paste, red chili powder, turmeric powder, lemon juice, garam masala, and yogurt. Mix well, ensuring each piece is coated. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes (or up to 4 hours for maximum flavor!).
While the chicken marinates, let’s prep that luscious sauce. Heat the butter in a large pan or pot over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and cook until softened and lightly golden brown.
Now, add the ginger-garlic paste and sauté for another minute until fragrant. Stir in the red chili powder, turmeric powder, and garam masala. Cook for about 30 seconds, stirring constantly to prevent burning.
Pour in the crushed tomatoes and bring to a simmer. Cook for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
It's cashew time! Add the soaked and drained cashew nuts to the sauce. These beauties add a subtle sweetness and creamy texture.
Now, either using an immersion blender in the pot or in a regular blender, blend the sauce until smooth. Be extremely careful when blending hot liquids!
Time to add the chicken! Gently add the marinated chicken pieces to the sauce. Cook for about 15-20 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and tender.
Stir in the heavy cream and crushed kasuri methi. Simmer for another 5 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together beautifully. Season with salt to taste.
Finally, garnish with fresh cilantro leaves. Serve hot with naan bread, roti, or rice. Enjoy your Butter Chicken Bliss! 💖