BBQ brisket shredded and served with fries Oven-Braised BBQ Brisket BBQ chicken thighs served Sticky BBQ Chicken Thighs (Oven Baked) BBQ ribs served with corn on the cob Oven-Baked BBQ Ribs with Buttered Corn Irish pear cider served fresh Irish Pear & Cider Cocktail Holiday apple cider served in a glass Mulled Holiday Apple Cider with Orange Spiced cherry cider served in a glass Spiced Cherry Apple Cider Glass of blueberry mint lemonade Blueberry Mint Lemonade with Homemade Syrup Blueberry iced tea in a glass Fresh Blueberry Iced Tea Blueberry liqueur in a bottle Homemade Blueberry Vodka Liqueur Green Apple Cider served fresh Iced Granny Smith Apple Cider Mocktail Green tea with lemon served fresh Classic Lemon Green Tea Vanilla latte served fresh Homemade Vanilla Bean Latte Fiery spiced cider in a glass Spicy Ginger-Chili Apple Cider Oak Aged Cider served in a glass Bourbon-Barrel Style Spiced Apple Cider Winter fruit tea served in a glass Spiced Winter Fruit Tea with Rosehips Tropical fruit tea served in a glass Tropical Green Tea Punch with Mango and Pineapple Salted Caramel Cider in a glass Salted Caramel Apple Cider Cantaloupe smoothie in a glass Creamy Cantaloupe & Yogurt Smoothie Plum Vanilla Cider served Vanilla-Plum Sparkling Apple Cider Mocktail Spiced Plum Tea served in a glass Spiced Plum Tea Infusion BBQ brisket shredded and served with fries Oven-Braised BBQ Brisket BBQ chicken thighs served Sticky BBQ Chicken Thighs (Oven Baked) BBQ ribs served with corn on the cob Oven-Baked BBQ Ribs with Buttered Corn Irish pear cider served fresh Irish Pear & Cider Cocktail Holiday apple cider served in a glass Mulled Holiday Apple Cider with Orange Spiced cherry cider served in a glass Spiced Cherry Apple Cider Glass of blueberry mint lemonade Blueberry Mint Lemonade with Homemade Syrup Blueberry iced tea in a glass Fresh Blueberry Iced Tea Blueberry liqueur in a bottle Homemade Blueberry Vodka Liqueur Green Apple Cider served fresh Iced Granny Smith Apple Cider Mocktail Green tea with lemon served fresh Classic Lemon Green Tea Vanilla latte served fresh Homemade Vanilla Bean Latte Fiery spiced cider in a glass Spicy Ginger-Chili Apple Cider Oak Aged Cider served in a glass Bourbon-Barrel Style Spiced Apple Cider Winter fruit tea served in a glass Spiced Winter Fruit Tea with Rosehips Tropical fruit tea served in a glass Tropical Green Tea Punch with Mango and Pineapple Salted Caramel Cider in a glass Salted Caramel Apple Cider Cantaloupe smoothie in a glass Creamy Cantaloupe & Yogurt Smoothie Plum Vanilla Cider served Vanilla-Plum Sparkling Apple Cider Mocktail Spiced Plum Tea served in a glass Spiced Plum Tea Infusion
Chicken Makhani, Indian butter sauce chicken garnished with fresh coriander
Indian spiced butter chicken with fresh cilantro

Indian Butter Chicken (Chicken Makhani)

Author: Flavelo
Recipes Main Courses
Chicken Makhani, or Butter Chicken, is India's gift to the world. A texture masterpiece: yogurt-marinated, roasted chicken pieces bathing in an incredibly creamy, tomato-butter sauce. 'Makhani' means butter, hinting at the richness. It's not about heat, but the silky harmony of spices, acid, and fat.
🕒 Prep Time 40 mins
🍳 Cook Time 30 mins
⌛ Total Time 1 hr 10 mins
🍽️ Servings 4 servings
🔥 Calories 550 kcal
🌍 Cuisine Indian

Ingredients

Equipment Needed

  • Large Bowl (for marinating)
  • Deep Skillet or Wok
  • Wooden Spoon
  • Grater (for ginger)

Allergen Information

⚠️ Milk

Instructions

1 ✓

Mix yogurt, garlic, ginger, turmeric, coriander, cumin, and chili. Coat chicken, refrigerate 30 mins.

Tip: Yogurt tenderizes meat.
2 ✓

Melt half the butter in skillet. Sear chicken (reserve marinade) until browned. Remove chicken.

Tip: Charring adds flavor; inside can be raw.
3 ✓

Add tomato puree (and leftover marinade) to skillet. Simmer 8-10 mins until thickened.

Tip: Cooking tomatoes reduces acidity.
4 ✓

Stir in cream, remaining butter, honey, salt, pepper. Return chicken.

Tip: Honey balances tomato acid; butter emulsifies sauce.
5 ✓

Simmer gently 10 mins until cooked through. Garnish with cilantro.

Tip: Don't boil vigorously after adding cream.

Recipe FAQ

Can I sub cream?
Coconut milk works but changes the flavor profile. Original uses cream and butter for body.
How long to marinate?
Min 30 mins, but yogurt acids work best over 4-6 hours.

Ingredients

  • 1 lb Boneless Chicken Thighs (cubed)
  • 3/4 cup Plain Greek Yogurt
  • 3 cloves Garlic (crushed)
  • 1 tbsp Fresh Ginger (grated)
  • 1 tsp Ground Turmeric
  • 1 tsp Ground Coriander
  • 1 tsp Ground Cumin
  • 1/2 tsp Chili Powder
  • 4 tbsp Butter
  • 14 oz Tomato Puree or Sauce (1 can)
  • 2/3 cup Heavy Cream
  • 1 tbsp Honey or Sugar
  • 2 tbsp Fresh Cilantro (chopped)
  • 1 tsp Salt
  • 1/2 tsp Black Pepper