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Das Butter Chicken: Easy, Creamy, & Irresistibly Delicious

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Experience the rich, creamy, and comforting flavors of Das Butter Chicken, a dish that combines luxury with hearty satisfaction. Perfect for cozy nights in or impressive dinner parties, this recipe will steal your heart with every bite.

Ingredients

Scale
  • Boneless, skinless chicken thighs (cut into 1-inch pieces)
  • Plain, full-fat yogurt
  • 1 tablespoon ginger-garlic paste
  • Turmeric powder
  • Red chili powder (Kashmiri chili powder recommended)
  • Garam masala
  • Ground cumin
  • Ground coriander
  • 1 tablespoon oil or butter
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • Finely chopped or pureed onions
  • Canned crushed tomatoes or tomato passata (or fresh ripe tomatoes, pureed and strained)
  • Salt
  • Heavy cream or whipping cream
  • Honey or granulated sugar
  • Kasuri methi (dried fenugreek leaves)

Instructions

  1. Marinate the Chicken: In a large bowl, combine your 1-inch chicken pieces with plain yogurt, 1 tablespoon of ginger-garlic paste, turmeric powder, red chili powder, garam masala, ground cumin, and ground coriander. Mix everything thoroughly until the chicken is well coated. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, or ideally, 4-6 hours, or even overnight for the best flavor penetration.
  2. Cook the Chicken: Heat 1 tablespoon of oil or butter in a large pan or skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the marinated chicken pieces in a single layer, working in batches if necessary to avoid overcrowding the pan. Cook for 3-4 minutes per side, until browned and slightly charred, but not fully cooked through. Remove the cooked chicken and set aside.
  3. Prepare the Sauce Base: In the same pan, melt 2 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Add the remaining ginger-garlic paste and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant. Add your finely chopped or pureed onions and cook until softened and translucent, about 5-7 minutes.
  4. Build the Flavor: Stir in the remaining ground cumin, coriander, and a pinch more red chili powder. Sauté for 30 seconds until aromatic. Pour in the crushed tomatoes or passata. Add a pinch of salt and simmer gently for 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  5. Blend for Smoothness: Carefully transfer the sauce mixture to a blender and blend until completely smooth. Pass the blended sauce through a fine-mesh sieve back into the pot.
  6. Finish the Sauce: Return the smooth sauce to medium-low heat. Stir in the remaining butter, heavy cream, honey (or sugar), and the lightly toasted and crushed kasuri methi. Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer, stirring constantly.
  7. Combine and Simmer: Gently add the previously cooked chicken pieces to the sauce. Stir to coat the chicken completely. Let it simmer for another 5-7 minutes, allowing the chicken to fully cook through and absorb the rich flavors of the sauce.
  8. Serve Immediately: Ladle your glorious Das Butter Chicken into serving bowls. Garnish with a swirl of extra cream, a sprinkle of fresh cilantro, and perhaps a pinch more kasuri methi. Serve hot with fluffy basmati rice, warm naan bread, or roti.

Nutrition

Keywords: Marination is key for tender and flavorful chicken. Don't overcook the chicken initially, as it will continue to cook in the sauce. Blending the sauce and passing it through a sieve is recommended for a silky texture. Toast kasuri methi before adding for enhanced flavor.

Find it online: https://softtasty.com/das-butter-chicken-easy-creamy-irresistibly-delicious/