Indian Butter Chicken

Butter Chicken is more formally known as Chicken Makhani. Perfectly spiced chicken is cooked in a Tandoori oven and then simmered in a delectable buttery, rich tomato sauce. The hubs actually made a Tandoor oven last summer out of a clay pot and a trash can. It ‘s amazing how well it replicates the Tandoori chicken you would find in any good Indian restaurant.

I’m pining for some chicken makhani tonight but the Tandoor is buried in snow and the nearest (good) Indian restaurant is a half hour away. Luckily there is another method to get (almost) perfect Tandoori style chicken.

Ingredients:

• 4 chicken breasts, cut into even 1-inch cubes
• 2 teaspoons chili powder
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon salt

Marinade:

• ¼ cup yogurt
• 1 tablespoon ginger , grated
• 1 tablespoon crushed garlic
• 1 teaspoon mustard seed, ground or crushed
• 1 teaspoon garam masala

Makhani sauce:

• ½ stick butter
• ¾ teaspoon garam masala
• 2 teaspoons sugar
• ½ teaspoon chili powder
• 14 ounces tomato puree or sauce
• 1 teaspoon grated ginger
• 1 teaspoon crushed garlic
• 4 ounces heavy cheam
• 1 teaspoon fenugreek powder (found in Indian grocery stores)
• ½ 4-oz can green chilies
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• cayenne pepper to taste

First gather your ingredients. Place the chicken in a gallon size Ziploc bag and add the chili powder, lemon, and salt. Thoroughly coat the chicken and set aside. Combine the marinade ingredients and add to the bag of chicken. Zip the bag securely and knead it well with your hands until the chicken is coated in marinade. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes or up to 4 hours.

As for how you accomplish Tandoori style in your oven, preheat oven to 550 degrees F or as high as it will go. Skewer the chicken on long metal skewers. Line the bottom of a broiler pan with foil and lay the skewers across the top of it so that no chicken is touching the bottom of the pan. Also, try to make sure the chicken pieces aren’t touching each other. The goal is to allow as much air circulation as possible.

Cook chicken in the preheated oven for about 20 minutes or until juices run clear. Watch it carefully as not to overcook. While the chicken is baking prepare the sauce. Heat butter in a large saucepan. Add the garam masala, garlic, and ginger and cook for 2 minutes. Add the tomato puree, green chilis, chili powder, salt and 1 cup of water. Bring to a boil while stirring and then simmer for about 10 minutes. Add the sugar, fenugreek powder, and heavy cream. Stir in the chicken and heat through.
This may all seem labor intensive but the end result is worth it, trust me. Serve over basmati rice with a side of naan or pita for dipping in the delicious sauce.

Adapted from The Desi Cookbook