Description
Butter Chicken and fragrant basmati rice make for a rich and comforting dish perfect for any occasion. Creamy and spiced to perfection, this North Indian-inspired recipe is ideal for 4 people in under an hour.
Ingredients
1.5 lbs chicken thighs, boneless and skinless
1.5 cups basmati rice, rinsed until water runs clear
1/2 cup heavy cream or plain yogurt
1 large yellow onion (or red onions for more sweetness)
2 tbsp curry spices (a blend of turmeric, garam masala, cumin, coriander, and chili)
1 tbsp olive oil
1 tbsp butter
1 cup water
1 cup garlic and ginger, minced
Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
In a bowl, combine chicken, 1 tbsp spices, and 1 tbsp olive oil. Mix well and let it marinate for 15 minutes.
Heat 1 tbsp butter in a skillet. Add sliced onions and cook for 5 minutes until golden. Add garlic and ginger, then cook for 2 minutes.
Stir in the remaining spices and cook for another 2 minutes. Deglaze with 1/2 cup water, carefully scraping any browned bits from the pan.
Add the chicken to the pan, followed by 1 cup water. Simmer for 20 minutes, adding more liquid as needed to keep the chicken moist.
Stir in heavy cream (or yogurt for a lighter version) and simmer for 10 minutes uncovered until the sauce thickens and glistens.
In a separate pot, combine 1.5 cups basmati rice with 2 cups water and a pinch of salt. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, cover, and let simmer for 15 minutes. Keep covered and let rest for 5 minutes post-cooking.
Gently fold the chicken and sauce over the rice. Garnish with a sprinkle of garam masala and serve.
Notes
The sauce simmers best if left uncovered for 15-20 minutes to thicken.
Ensure the chicken doesn’t overcook to retain its tenderness.
For a vegetarian version, substitute chicken with tofu or chickpeas.
Red onions can enhance sweetness, and plain yogurt can lighten the dish without losing flavor.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (1/4th of the recipe)
- Calories: 550
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 700mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 60mg