Butter Chicken

Ingredients

• 28 oz (800g) boneless and skinless chicken thighs or breasts cut into bite-sized pieces (For the chicken marinade)
• 1/2 cup plain yogurt (For the chicken marinade)
• 1 1/2 tablespoons minced garlic (For the chicken marinade)
• 1 tablespoon minced ginger (or finely grated) (For the chicken marinade)
• 2 teaspoons garam masala (For the chicken marinade)
• 1 teaspoon turmeric (For the chicken marinade)
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin (For the chicken marinade)
• 1/2 teaspoon red chili powder (For the chicken marinade)
• 1 teaspoon salt (For the chicken marinade)
• 2 tablespoons olive oil (For the sauce)
• 2 tablespoons ghee (or 1 tbs butter + 1 tbs oil) (For the sauce)
• 1 large onion, sliced or chopped (For the sauce)
• 1 1/2 tablespoons garlic, minced (For the sauce)
• 1 tablespoon ginger, minced or finely grated (For the sauce)
• 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cumin (For the sauce)
• 1 1/2 teaspoons garam masala (For the sauce)
• 1 teaspoon ground coriander (For the sauce)
• 14 oz (400g) crushed tomatoes (For the sauce)
• 1 teaspoon red chili powder (adjust to your taste preference) (For the sauce)
• 1 1/4 teaspoons salt (or to taste) (For the sauce)
• 1 cup heavy or thickened cream (or evaporated milk to save calories) (For the sauce)
• 1 tablespoon sugar (For the sauce)
• 1/2 teaspoon kasoori methi (or dried fenugreek leaves) (For the sauce)

Steps

1. In a bowl, combine chicken with all of the ingredients for the chicken marinade; let marinate for 30 minutes to an hour (or overnight if time allows).
2. Heat oil in a large skillet or pot over medium-high heat. When sizzling, add chicken pieces in batches of two or three, making sure not to crowd the pan. Fry until browned for only 3 minutes on each side. Set aside and keep warm. (You will finish cooking the chicken in the sauce.)
3. Heat butter or ghee in the same pan. Fry the onions until they start to sweat (about 6 minutes) while scraping up any browned bits stuck on the bottom of the pan.
4. Add garlic and ginger and saute for 1 minute until fragrant, then add ground coriander, cumin and garam masala. Let cook for about 20 seconds until fragrant, while stirring occasionally.
5. Add crushed tomatoes, chili powder and salt. Let simmer for about 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally until sauce thickens and becomes a deep brown red colour.
6. Remove from heat, scoop mixture into a blender and blend until smooth. You may need to add a couple tablespoons of water to help it blend (up to 1/4 cup). Work in batches depending on the size of your blender.
7. Pour the pureed sauce back into the pan. Stir the cream, sugar and crushed kasoori methi (or fenugreek leaves) through the sauce. Add the chicken with juices back into the pan and cook for an additional 8-10 minutes until chicken is cooked through and the sauce is thick and bubbling.
8. Garnish with chopped cilantro and serve with fresh, hot garlic butter rice and fresh homemade Naan bread!