Butter chicken is a Punjabi specialty which was invented in Moti Mahal Restaurant in Delhi.
It is probably one of the most famous Chicken Dish in India.

What we need:

Chicken-600 gms (I prefer boneless chicken), ginger-garlic paste (3 teaspoons), elaichi (4 pieces), cardamom-1 piece, onion - 3 medium pieces (cut into medium pieces), 3 big size tomatoes (chopped), cashew- 10 whole pieces, pumpkin seeds, chili powder (3 teaspoons), fresh cream, kasuri methi,

First we have to prepare the chicken marinade. Add 2 teaspoons ginger garlic paste to chicken, to it add 2 teaspoons chili powder, 2 teaspoons chili paste, 1 teaspoon lemon juice. Mix it properly and keep in freezer for marination at least for 30 minutes. 



Now we need to prepare the puree which is the main part. Boil 2 cups of water in a saucepan. To it add the chopped onions, tomatoes, elaichi, cardamom, cashews, pumpkin seeds, 1 teaspoon chili powder. Mix it properly and let them boil. It will take around 15 mins. You can see them cooked from the texture of tomatoes. Cool the mixture and then blend it to fine puree.

 

The chicken butter masala can be prepared from raw chicken as well as tandoor chicken. I don’t have the tandoor oven, so will try to prepare on a pan. Take a pan, put some oil and use a brush to spread properly. Then put the marinated chicken pieces in it. Cover the lid. After 10 minutes turn over the chicken pieces. 

 


Once it’s cooked take them out and keep aside to cool. Take out the extra oil.

Now we will prepare the chicken butter masala. Take a pan. Add butter to it. Then add some red chili, green chili(slit), chopped ginger. Keep on sauteing. Some prefer cumin seeds also. If you want you can add here. Add pinch of haldi powder and 1 teaspoon of chili powder. Keep on sauteing. Now if you want to cook raw chicken, you add it here and cover the lid and let it cook before adding the puree. But if you have roasted the chicken then first put the puree in the pan. Keep on sauteing for 15 minutes. It will show a beautiful reddish color.

Now add roasted chicken to it, mix it properly and cover the lid and let it cook for 5 minutes. Remove the lid, add some kasuri methi, garam masala and again mix it. Now turn off the flame and add the cream on top of it.

Chicken butter masala is ready to be served. Serve it with naan, paratha or roti.