Butter Chicken Recipe (Indian Chicken Makhani) — simplyyum

Make the ultimate restaurant-style Butter Chicken at home with this authentic, creamy, and aromatic Murgh Makhani recipe — perfect when paired with Basmati rice or warm naan.

Originating from Delhi’s iconic Moti Mahal restaurant in the 1950s, Butter Chicken (Murgh Makhani) was born by combining leftover tandoori chicken with a buttery tomato sauce. The dish features a tomato-and-butter-based gravy enriched with spices like garam masala, kasuri methi, and sometimes cashews or cream.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Silky, buttery tomato gravy that outshines most restaurant versions
• Balanced spice profile — rich, aromatic, yet mild (kid-friendly too!)
• Flexible cooking methods — pan-fry, oven-bake, or grill as per your kitchen setup

Key Ingredients

Tomatoes

Yogurt / Hung Curd

Spices

Butter & Cream

Step-by-Step Butter Chicken Recipe

1. Marinate the Chicken Mix boneless chicken pieces with thick yogurt, garam masala, ginger-garlic paste, kasuri methi, lemon juice, chili powder, and salt. Marinate for at least 1 hour — overnight yields optimal flavor and tenderness.
2. Cook the Chicken Grill, oven-bake, or pan-fry until lightly charred. This step mimics the tandoor-style smoky flavor.
3. Prepare the Gravy Sauté tomatoes (fresh or puree) until silky. Blend if using fresh tomatoes. Stir in spices and simmer until fragrant and thickened.
4. Simmer Together Add chicken to the gravy; simmer with butter and a splash of cream (or yogurt for lighter versions) until the sauce coats the chicken beautifully.
5. Finishing Touches Stir in kasuri methi and a final sprinkle of garam masala. Garnish with coriander or a swirl of cream before serving

Tips For Best Results

• Texture Matters: Smooth gravy comes from sieving or blending the sauce — a little extra effort for that restaurant-like velvet finish.
• Less is More: It doesn’t need tons of butter and cream — use just enough to achieve richness, not greasiness.
• Healthier Version: Use yogurt instead of heavy cream and skip excessive butter — you won’t lose flavor.

Serve With

• Soft naan, roti, or fragrant Basmati rice.
• Cool sides like cucumber raita or simple green salad for balance.