The Origins of Butter Chicken
Butter chicken originated in India during the 1950s. It was created by Kundan Lal Gujral, who owned a restaurant called Moti Mahal in Delhi. He wanted to create a dish that would increase the sales of tandoori chicken, which was not selling as much as he had hoped. So he mixed leftover tandoori chicken with tomato gravy and added spices for flavor. The resulting dish was so successful that it quickly spread throughout India and eventually made its way to the United States, where it gained popularity among diners looking for something new and different to try.
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Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons peanut oil, divided
- 1 shallot, finely chopped
- ¼ white onion, chopped
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 tablespoon ginger garlic paste
- 2 teaspoons lemon juice
- 2 teaspoons garam masala, divided
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 cup tomato puree
- 1 cup half-and-half
- ¼ cup plain yogurt
- 1 pinch salt and ground black pepper to taste
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into bite-size pieces
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper, or to taste
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- ¼ cup water
The Health Benefits Of Indian Butter Chicken
Despite its richness and indulgent taste, butter chicken can actually be quite healthy when prepared properly! The tomato gravy base provides plenty of antioxidants and vitamins while the lean protein from the chicken helps keep you full without adding too many calories or fat to your diet. Plus, since it's made with spices rather than salt or sugar-laden sauces like ketchup or soy sauce, it's relatively low in sodium as well!
How to make Indian Butter Chicken?
Indian butter chicken is a delicious and flavorful dish that is simple to make at home. To start, heat one tablespoon of peanut oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the shallot and white onion, and sauté until the onions are soft and translucent, about 5 minutes. Then add the butter, ginger garlic paste, lemon juice, 1 teaspoon of garam masala, chili powder and ground cumin. Cook for 2 minutes, stirring often.
Next add the bay leaf, tomato puree and half-and-half. Reduce the heat to low and simmer until the sauce has thickened slightly. Then stir in the yogurt and season with salt, pepper and cayenne pepper.
Add the chicken pieces to the skillet, stir to coat in the sauce and cook until they are no longer pink in the center. In a small bowl, whisk together the cornstarch and water until combined. Slowly add it to the skillet while stirring constantly. This will help thicken the sauce. Continue to cook until the sauce has thickened and the chicken is cooked through.
Lastly, stir in the remaining teaspoon of garam masala and serve over steamed rice or with naan bread.
Indian butter chicken is a delicious dish that can be enjoyed by all ages. Whether you’re looking for an easy weeknight meal or a special occasion dish, this flavorful and fragrant dish will not disappoint!
Conclusion
If you’re looking for something new to add to your dinner rotation that won’t break your budget or waistline – try making some Indian butter chicken! This flavorful dish is sure to be a hit with family members young and old alike thanks to its blend of aromatic spices and rich tomato gravy base. Give it a try today for an easy weeknight meal that will have everyone asking for seconds!
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