Best 7 Indian Chicken Makhani Recipes

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In the realm of culinary delights, Indian cuisine reigns supreme, boasting a rich tapestry of flavors, aromas, and textures. Among its most celebrated dishes is Chicken Makhani, a delectable creation that tantalizes taste buds and captivates hearts. This creamy and luscious curry, also known as Butter Chicken, is a harmonious blend of succulent chicken, velvety tomato gravy, and a symphony of spices that dance on the palate. Originating from the vibrant streets of Punjab, Chicken Makhani has transcended geographical boundaries and become a beloved dish enjoyed worldwide. Whether you're a seasoned chef or a novice in the kitchen, this article presents a comprehensive guide to crafting this culinary masterpiece. Discover the traditional recipe, along with two tantalizing variations – a slow-cooker version for effortless indulgence and a vegan adaptation that caters to dietary preferences without compromising on flavor. Get ready to embark on a culinary journey to savor the magic of Chicken Makhani, a dish that promises to leave you spellbound.

Check out the recipes below so you can choose the best recipe for yourself!

CHICKEN MAKHANI (INDIAN BUTTER CHICKEN)



Chicken Makhani (Indian Butter Chicken) image

Chicken Makhani is one of my favorite Indian dishes. It is a full flavored dish that complements the chicken well. It can be made as mild or spicy as you wish by adjusting the cayenne. Serve with basmati rice and naan bread.

Provided by MITCHMAN21

Categories     World Cuisine Recipes     Asian     Indian

Time 35m

Yield 4

Number Of Ingredients 22

1 tablespoon peanut oil
1 shallot, finely chopped
¼ white onion, chopped
2 tablespoons butter
2 teaspoons lemon juice
1 tablespoon ginger garlic paste
1 teaspoon garam masala
1 teaspoon chili powder
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 bay leaf
¼ cup plain yogurt
1 cup half-and-half
1 cup tomato puree
¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper, or to taste
1 pinch salt
1 pinch black pepper
1 tablespoon peanut oil
1 pound boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into bite-size pieces
1 teaspoon garam masala
1 pinch cayenne pepper
1 tablespoon cornstarch
¼ cup water

Steps:

  • Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a large saucepan over medium high heat. Saute shallot and onion until soft and translucent. Stir in butter, lemon juice, ginger-garlic paste, 1 teaspoon garam masala, chili powder, cumin and bay leaf. Cook, stirring, for 1 minute. Add tomato sauce, and cook for 2 minutes, stirring frequently. Stir in half-and-half and yogurt. Reduce heat to low, and simmer for 10 minutes, stirring frequently. Season with salt pepper. Remove from heat and set aside.
  • Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a large heavy skillet over medium heat. Cook chicken until lightly browned, about 10 minutes. Reduce heat, and season with 1 teaspoon garam masala and cayenne. Stir in a few spoonfuls of sauce, and simmer until liquid has reduced, and chicken is no longer pink. Stir cooked chicken into sauce.
  • Mix together cornstarch and water, then stir into the sauce. Cook for 5 to 10 minutes, or until thickened.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 407.8 calories, Carbohydrate 15.6 g, Cholesterol 107 mg, Fat 27.8 g, Fiber 2.2 g, Protein 23.4 g, SaturatedFat 11.4 g, Sodium 523.4 mg, Sugar 5 g

MURGH MAKHANI (INDIAN BUTTER CHICKEN)



Murgh Makhani (Indian Butter Chicken) image

This is a simple home version of butter chicken, also known as 'murgh' or 'chicken makhani,' a popular dish in Indian restaurants. This is best served with naan, an Indian bread, or you can also serve this with basmati rice.

Provided by DHANO923

Categories     World Cuisine Recipes     Asian     Indian

Time 1h50m

Yield 4

Number Of Ingredients 15

⅓ cup plain nonfat yogurt
1 tablespoon tandoori masala powder
1 ½ pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into 1-inch pieces
½ onion, chopped
1 (1 inch) piece fresh ginger
1 clove garlic
2 tablespoons water
3 tablespoons cooking oil, divided
2 teaspoons garam masala
¼ teaspoon Indian chili powder
1 cup tomato sauce
1 cup half and half
2 tablespoons butter
1 teaspoon dried fenugreek leaves
1 teaspoon salt

Steps:

  • Stir the yogurt and tandoori masala powder together in a large bowl until thoroughly combined; add the chicken and toss to coat evenly. Marinate in refrigerator for 1 hour. Drain and discard any excess marinade.
  • Puree the onion, ginger, and garlic with the water in a blender until it forms a smooth paste; set aside.
  • Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Cook the chicken in the hot oil until lightly browned on all sides, about 5 minutes. Remove from skillet and set aside. Heat the remaining 2 tablespoons in the skillet. Fry the onion paste in the hot oil until the moisture is mostly evaporated, about 3 minutes. Sprinkle the garam masala and chili powder over the mixture; cook 1 minute more. Pour the tomato sauce into the mixture, reduce heat to medium-low, and cook another 5 minutes. Return the chicken to the pan along with the half and half; bring to a boil. Add the butter, fenugreek leaves, and salt; reduce heat to low and simmer uncovered until the chicken pieces are no longer pink in the middle, 15 to 20 minutes.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 474.4 calories, Carbohydrate 12.9 g, Cholesterol 179.4 mg, Fat 30.4 g, Fiber 2.6 g, Protein 38.1 g, SaturatedFat 11.5 g, Sodium 1140.7 mg, Sugar 5.4 g

INDIAN BUTTER CHICKEN (CHICKEN MAKHANI)



Indian Butter Chicken (Chicken Makhani) image

Delicious Indian butter chicken at home. It is so flavorful and easy to prepare. Add your favorite veggies to make it a complete meal. The entire family loves it. Serve over warm basmati rice along with some naan bread.

Provided by RFalgout

Categories     World Cuisine Recipes     Asian     Indian

Time 1h8m

Yield 4

Number Of Ingredients 18

2 teaspoons garam masala
2 teaspoons tandoori masala powder
2 teaspoons Madras curry powder
1 teaspoon ground cumin
½ teaspoon ground cardamom
½ teaspoon ground cayenne pepper
salt and ground black pepper to taste
1 ½ pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into bite-size pieces
3 tablespoons butter, divided
1 yellow onion, chopped
1 tablespoon lemon juice
4 cloves garlic, minced
2 teaspoons chopped fresh ginger
1 cup tomato puree
1 cup half-and-half
¼ cup plain yogurt
⅓ cup cashews
1 bunch fresh cilantro, stems removed

Steps:

  • Mix garam masala, tandoori masala, curry, cumin, cardamom, cayenne, salt, and black pepper together in a small bowl to make spice mixture.
  • Place chicken in a large bowl and add 1/2 the spice mixture; turn to coat evenly.
  • Melt 1 tablespoon butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add chicken; cook and stir until lightly browned, about 10 minutes. Remove from heat.
  • Melt remaining 2 tablespoons butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add onion; cook and stir until soft and translucent, about 5 minutes. Stir in remainder of the spice mixture, lemon juice, garlic, and ginger; cook and stir until combined, about 1 minute.
  • Stir tomato puree into onion mixture and cook, stirring frequently, about 2 minutes. Pour in half-and-half and yogurt. Reduce heat to low and simmer sauce, stirring frequently, about 10 minutes. Remove from heat.
  • Blend cashews in a blender until finely ground. Add sauce to the blender; puree until smooth.
  • Pour blended sauce over chicken in the skillet. Simmer until thickened, 10 to 15 minutes. Garnish with cilantro.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 552 calories, Carbohydrate 22 g, Cholesterol 142 mg, Fat 38 g, Fiber 4 g, Protein 33.2 g, SaturatedFat 15.7 g, Sodium 541.7 mg, Sugar 7.4 g

MAKHANI CHICKEN (INDIAN BUTTER CHICKEN)



Makhani Chicken (Indian Butter Chicken) image

This fragrant, spicy Indian butter chicken recipe is from the owner of the India Cuisine restaurant in Seattle, Washington. Serve with hot Indian bread.

Provided by RKOZEL

Categories     World Cuisine Recipes     Asian     Indian

Time 5h15m

Yield 6

Number Of Ingredients 25

1 ¾ pounds skinless, boneless chicken breast halves - cubed
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 tablespoon chili powder
salt to taste
1 cup yogurt
salt to taste
2 tablespoons garlic paste
½ tablespoon garam masala
2 tablespoons melted butter
1 tablespoon chili powder
2 tablespoons ginger paste
2 tablespoons lemon juice
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoon butter
1 tablespoon garam masala
1 tablespoon ginger paste
1 tablespoon chopped garlic
1 tablespoon chopped green chile pepper
2 cups tomato puree
1 tablespoon chili powder
salt to taste
1 cup water
1 tablespoon honey
½ teaspoon dried fenugreek leaves
1 cup heavy cream

Steps:

  • To Marinate: Place chicken in a nonporous glass dish or bowl with lemon juice, 1 tablespoon chili powder and salt. Toss to coat; cover dish and refrigerate to marinate for 1 hour.
  • Drain yogurt in a cloth for 15 to 20 minutes. Place in a medium bowl; mix in salt, garlic paste, garam masala, butter, chili powder, ginger paste, lemon juice and oil. Pour yogurt mixture over chicken, replace cover and refrigerate to marinate for another 3 to 4 hours.
  • Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
  • Place chicken on skewers. Place skewers in a 9x13 inch baking dish and bake in preheated oven for 20 minutes, or until almost cooked through.
  • To Make Sauce: Melt butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Stir in garam masala. When masala begins to crackle, mix in ginger paste, chopped garlic and green chile peppers. Saute until tender, then stir in tomato puree, chili powder, salt and water. Bring to a boil; reduce heat to low and simmer, stirring in honey and fenugreek.
  • Place chicken in sauce mixture. Continue cooking for another 5 minutes, or until chicken is no longer pink inside. Stir in fresh cream.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 492.3 calories, Carbohydrate 19 g, Cholesterol 148.9 mg, Fat 28.4 g, Fiber 3.7 g, Protein 35.8 g, SaturatedFat 14.5 g, Sodium 666.4 mg, Sugar 10.4 g

MURGH MAKHANI (INDIAN BUTTER CHICKEN)



Murgh Makhani (Indian Butter Chicken) image

"This is a simple home version of butter chicken, also known as 'murgh' or 'chicken makhani,' a popular dish in Indian restaurants. This is best served with naan, an Indian bread, or you can also serve this with basmati rice." **60 minute marinating time is not included in time to prepare.

Provided by Lavender Lynn

Categories     Chicken Thigh & Leg

Time 50m

Yield 4 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 15

1/3 cup plain nonfat yogurt
1 tablespoon tandoori spice mix
1 1/2 lbs chicken thighs, boneless, skinless, cut into 1-inch pieces
1/2 onion, chopped
1 piece fresh ginger (1 inch)
1 garlic clove
2 tablespoons water
3 tablespoons cooking oil, divided
2 teaspoons garam masala
1/4 teaspoon chili powder, Indian
1 cup tomato sauce
1 cup half-and-half
2 tablespoons butter
1 teaspoon dried fenugreek leaves
1 teaspoon salt

Steps:

  • Stir the yogurt and tandoori masala powder together in a large bowl until thoroughly combined; add the chicken and toss to coat evenly.
  • Marinate in refrigerator for 1 hour. Drain and discard any excess marinade.
  • Puree the onion, ginger, and garlic with the water in a blender until it forms a smooth paste; set aside.
  • Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
  • Cook the chicken in the hot oil until lightly browned on all sides, about 5 minutes.
  • Remove from skillet and set aside.
  • Heat the remaining 2 tablespoons in the skillet.
  • Fry the onion paste in the hot oil until the moisture is mostly evaporated, about 3 minutes.
  • Sprinkle the garam masala and chili powder over the mixture; cook 1 minute more.
  • Pour the tomato sauce into the mixture, reduce heat to medium-low, and cook another 5 minutes.
  • Return the chicken to the pan along with the half and half; bring to a boil. Add the butter, fenugreek leaves, and salt; reduce heat to low and simmer uncovered until the chicken pieces are no longer pink in the middle, 15 to 20 minutes.

SEITAN MAKHANI (VEGAN-STYLE INDIAN BUTTER CHICKEN)



Seitan Makhani (Vegan-Style Indian Butter Chicken) image

Chicken Makhani is a dish I always loved before becoming vegan. It is my absolute favorite Indian dish, so I knew I had to try to make it so I could curb my cravings. The sauce tastes amazing with naan and white rice. The seitan is an excellent substitute for meat in many dishes. You can buy store-bought seitan, which can be expensive, or you can make your own.

Provided by soapymayhem

Categories     World Cuisine Recipes     Asian     Indian

Time 1h5m

Yield 6

Number Of Ingredients 23

1 tablespoon peanut oil
1 shallot, finely chopped
¼ cup onion, chopped
2 tablespoons vegan margarine
2 teaspoons lemon juice
1 teaspoon ground ginger
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 teaspoons garam masala
2 teaspoons curry powder
1 teaspoon chili powder
2 teaspoons ground cumin
1 bay leaf
1 cup tomato puree
1 cup soy milk
¼ cup plain vegan yogurt
¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper, or to taste
1 pinch salt and black pepper to taste
1 ½ teaspoons peanut oil
1 (16 ounce) package chicken-style seitan, cut into strips or cubes
2 teaspoons garam masala
1 pinch cayenne pepper
1 tablespoon cornstarch
¼ cup cold water

Steps:

  • Heat 1 tablespoon peanut oil in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir in the shallot and onion; cook and stir until the onion has softened and turned translucent, about 5 minutes. Add the margarine, lemon juice, ginger, garlic, garam masala, curry powder, chili powder, cumin, and bay leaf. Cook and stir for 1 minute. Stir in the tomato puree and cook for 2 minutes more.
  • Reduce the heat to low, and mix in the soy milk and soy yogurt. Simmer for 10 minutes, stirring frequently. Season to taste with cayenne, salt, and black pepper; remove from heat and set aside.
  • Heat 1 1/2 teaspoons of peanut oil in a heavy skillet (preferably cast iron) over medium heat. Add the seitan and cook, stirring constantly, for 10 minutes. Reduce the heat to low and season the seitan with 2 teaspoons garam masala and a pinch of cayenne. Stir in about a 1/4 cup of the tomato-yogurt sauce and simmer for 2 to 3 minutes. Transfer the seitan mixture to the saucepan.
  • Mix the cornstarch and cold water. Return the saucepan to the stove over medium-high heat. Stir the cornstarch mixture into the sauce. Bring to a boil; reduce the heat and simmer until the sauce has thickened, about 5 to 10 minutes.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 249.7 calories, Carbohydrate 20.5 g, Fat 8.9 g, Fiber 4.9 g, Protein 24.4 g, SaturatedFat 1.5 g, Sodium 503.4 mg, Sugar 4.8 g

INDIAN-STYLE BUTTER CHICKEN (MURGH MAKHANI)



Indian-Style Butter Chicken (Murgh Makhani) image

This is a North Indian style of chicken curry. Serve garnished with sprigs of fresh coriander. If possible, purchase dried red chile peppers or ground red chile powder from an Indian grocery store, instead of using American-style chili powder in this dish.

Provided by KitchenBarbarian

Categories     World Cuisine Recipes     Asian     Indian

Time 1h10m

Yield 3

Number Of Ingredients 16

2 teaspoons dried red chile pepper, crushed
¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
¼ teaspoon ground cloves
1 ½ teaspoons garam masala
1 ½ teaspoons salt
1 ½ teaspoons minced ginger
2 cloves garlic, crushed
5 Roma tomatoes, seeded, diced
½ cup plain yogurt
1 pound skinless, boneless chicken breast, cut into 2-inch cubes
½ cup butter
2 red bell peppers, sliced
2 onions, thinly sliced
¼ cup heavy whipping cream
2 tablespoons chopped fresh coriander

Steps:

  • Mix the ground red chile peppers, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, garam masala, salt, ginger, garlic, tomatoes, and yogurt in a large bowl. Stir the chicken pieces into the yogurt mixture, and let marinate in the refrigerator for 30 to 60 minutes.
  • Melt the butter in a large skillet on medium heat and cook the bell pepper slices and onion until the onion begins to turn translucent, about 5 to 7 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add the chicken and marinade to the skillet. Cook, stirring constantly, 5 to 10 minutes until the chicken firms and is no longer pink in the center.
  • Turn up heat to medium-high and mix in the cream and coriander. Cook until mixture just begins to boil, stirring continuously. Serve immediately.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 659.5 calories, Carbohydrate 34.3 g, Cholesterol 189 mg, Fat 43 g, Fiber 8 g, Protein 37.2 g, SaturatedFat 25.6 g, Sodium 1506.7 mg, Sugar 19.1 g

Tips:

  • Use high-quality ingredients: Fresh, flavorful ingredients will make a big difference in the taste of your chicken makhani. Look for organic, free-range chicken, ripe tomatoes, and creamy yogurt.
  • Marinate the chicken: Marinating the chicken in a mixture of yogurt, spices, and herbs will help it to tenderize and absorb flavor. Be sure to marinate the chicken for at least 30 minutes, or up to overnight.
  • Cook the chicken over medium heat: Cooking the chicken over medium heat will help it to cook evenly and prevent it from drying out. Be sure to stir the chicken frequently so that it cooks evenly on all sides.
  • Use a good quality tomato sauce: The tomato sauce is the base of the chicken makhani, so it's important to use a good quality sauce. Look for a sauce that is made with fresh tomatoes and has a rich, flavorful taste.
  • Add cream or yogurt to the sauce: Adding cream or yogurt to the sauce will help to make it creamy and rich. Be sure to add the cream or yogurt at the end of the cooking process, so that it doesn't curdle.
  • Garnish with fresh cilantro: Fresh cilantro adds a pop of color and flavor to the chicken makhani. Be sure to chop the cilantro finely before adding it to the dish.

Conclusion:

Chicken makhani is a delicious and versatile dish that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. It's perfect for a weeknight meal or a special occasion. With a little planning and effort, you can easily make chicken makhani at home that is just as good as (or even better than) what you would get at a restaurant. So next time you're in the mood for a flavorful and satisfying meal, give chicken makhani a try!

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