BUTTER CHICKEN: INDIA'S MOST POPULAR CURRY

As any chicken curry lover will swear, Chicken Tikka Masala is considered one of the most iconic chicken curry dishes in any Indian restaurant. But then, Butter Chicken is also equally popular as one of the most popular chicken curries at any Indian restaurant across the world. 

Filled with aromatic golden chicken pieces in an incredible creamy curry sauce, Butter Chicken or Chicken Makhani recipes are amongst the most commonly used across Indian kitchens and restaurants. Easy to make in the comfort of your home, Indian Butter Chicken is usually served with either garlic butter rice or fresh homemade Naan bread.

Tender and juicy chicken prepared in a deliciously spiced yogurt-based marinade, Butter Chicken is quick and easy to make. The taste of butter chicken sauce is just divine!

Now, who doesn't love food with beautiful, bold flavors? For Indians, nothing comes remotely close to the sheer joy and satisfaction of having a sumptuous plate of Murgh Makhani to finish off a chaotic day. The sheer aroma of the butter chicken curry wafting across the house transports you to a completely different world.

The best part about cooking Chicken Butter Masala at home is that it's one of the quickest and easiest curry dishes to make. Almost every ingredient required for this delicacy is easy to find in any local grocery store or supermarket.

Origins of Indian Butter Chicken

The origins of the legendary Indian Butter Chicken lie in Northern India. Kundan Lal Gujral created the dish in 1948. It can be said that the Indian Butter Chicken (also known as Murgh Makhani, or "chicken cooked with butter") is quite similar to the British tikka masala from that era.

The instant pot Butter Chicken is a curry dish prepared in a buttery gravy with the addition of cream. It gives the butter chicken sauce a smooth, creamy, rich texture. Most restaurants in India that serve slow-cooked Butter Chicken are known to add very liberal amounts of butter, which can leave you feeling bloated or even sick from the slickness of grease.

However, we found while recipe testing that we prefer to start the sauce off in Ghee (clarified butter, or you can use a combination of half regular butter and half oil).

Adding cream at the end of cooking provides enough of that richness you look for in an authentic butter chicken. Our less oily version leaves you feeling good and satisfied.

How to make Indian Butter Chicken

Generally, Butter Chicken is a milder curry when compared to other Indian curries. This factor makes Butter Chicken a top favorite among families with small kids. Again, you're free to add as much or as little chili as you want. In other words, you ultimately control how spicy you make it. 

And to add to the infinite joy of cooking and consuming this finger-licking chicken curry, you can make different equally delicious and mouthwatering variants, like peanut butter chicken, garlic butter chicken, lemon butter chicken, honey butter chicken, and whatnot! Why, for people into ketogenic diets, there's even a Keto Butter Chicken!! Such is the popularity and craze for the legendary Indian Butter Chicken.

As mentioned above, the juicy, tender, and flavored Butter Chicken curry starts with an easy yogurt marinade made of plain yogurt, fresh garlic, ginger, and some easy-to-find spices.

You can use boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts for the chicken pieces. You can even use dark meat, but choosing what you like is best.