Butter chicken curry. The name itself is enough to make one’s mouth water. This creamy, tomatoey chicken dish with its seductive blend of spices and silky texture, has become a universally beloved staple of Indian cuisine. But what exactly goes into crafting this culinary masterpiece? Let’s delve into the key components that comprise this iconic curry and make it so undeniably appetizing.
A Brief Background on Butter Chicken
Before analyzing the ingredients, it’s helpful to understand a bit about the origins of butter chicken While its exact roots are disputed, most accounts credit the creation of the dish to two innovative Punjabi chefs, Kundan Lal Gujral and Kundan Lal Jaggi, in Delhi in the 1950s The prevalent story goes that butter chicken was born by chance, an impromptu invention using leftover tandoori chicken in a tomato gravy spiked with butter (also called makhan in Hindi), hence the name.
Over the years, butter chicken has exploded in popularity across India and internationally, becoming one of the most recognized Indian dishes worldwide. Yet despite this global fame, the preparation techniques and ingredients can still vary widely depending on the region and the cook. So what exactly comprises an authentic, delicious butter chicken curry? Let’s find out
Tomato: The Tangy Foundation
The first vital component of butter chicken is tomatoes. They form the base of the sauce, providing a tangy, savory backdrop for the other flavors. Canned crushed tomatoes are commonly used for convenience, while some cooks insist on fresh tomatoes for optimum taste. The tomatoes are pureed into a smooth, thick sauce enriched with butter and cream. This creates the luscious gravy that blanket’s the chicken.
Onion and Garlic: The Aromatic Backbone
Onions and garlic provide the aromatic foundation for any Indian curry, butter chicken included. They are sautéed in the early stages of cooking to release their sweet, pungent essence into the sauce. The long cooking time allows their flavors to further develop and permeate the dish. Minced onion and garlic offer a more robust presence, while onion powder and garlic powder can provide subtler notes.
Indian Spices: The Soul of the Dish
No butter chicken is complete without the rhythmic melody of Indian spices. While spice blends vary, they usually include mainstays like turmeric, cumin, coriander, Kashmiri chili powder, ginger, and garam masala. Other popular additions are cardamom, cinnamon, cloves, black pepper, and fenugreek leaves. These spices are toasted to intensify their flavors before being blended into the gravy. They provide layers of aroma and heat that make butter chicken so addictively good.
Butter and Cream: The Crowning Richness
As the name denotes, butter and heavy cream are essential for achieving the signature creamy texture and mouthfeel of butter chicken. Butter is typically browned and added during cooking to create a smooth, glistening sauce. Cream lends further luxurious richness. The dairy provides a sweet nuttiness that perfectly balances the spices and tomatoes. Too little, and the sauce won’t have the right velvety consistency. Too much causes heaviness. Getting the ratio right is key.
Chicken: The Star of the Show
Naturally, the chicken itself is critical, as it soaks up all the complex flavors of the gravy. Boneless chicken thighs with their fat and connective tissue are ideal. Prior to simmering in the sauce, the chicken is usually marinated in a blend of yogurt, spices, and lemon juice, then grilled. This infuses it with smoky charred notes and ensures it remains juicy. While chicken is traditional, some chefs use lamb, shrimp or paneer instead.
Optional Ingredients: Customized Finishing Touches
There are also some optional ingredients that cooks sometimes use to put their own spin on butter chicken:
- Fresh herbs like cilantro or mint add brightness
- Kashmiri chili powder provides rich red color and mild heat
- Cashew paste helps thicken and add body to the sauce
- A squeeze of lime juice right before serving boosts acidity
- Butter mixed with the chicken as it finishes cooking adds even more buttery richness
The possibilities are endless for personalizing with extras that enhance the overall experience. Part of butter chicken’s appeal is how customizable it is while retaining its essential character.
So there you have it – a peek behind the curtain at what makes this famous curry such a crowdpleaser. Next time you savor a spoonful of butter chicken and feel that euphoric spice bliss, you’ll have a deeper appreciation for how each integral ingredient works in harmony to create a magnificent medley of textures and flavors. The tomatoey tang, pungent aromas, tantalizing spices, velvety fats, and succulent chicken combine to produce one of India’s greatest culinary gifts to the world.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/__opt__aboutcom__coeus__resources__content_migration__simply_recipes__uploads__2019__01__Butter-Chicken-LEAD-2-6ca76f24bbe74114a09958073cb9c76f.jpg)
Authentic Indian Curry Does Not Use
- Canned tomato puree
- Cornstarch or
- Any kind of stock or broth
So this recipe does not use any of the above mentioned ingredients & will give you a real Indian chicken curry with a burst of flavors & deliciousness. However feel free to use canned tomatoes but do adjust the spices. You can also use stock for flavor, especially if you are using boneless chicken.
Photo Guide
What is Chicken Curry?
Chicken Curry is a traditional Indian dish made by simmering chicken pieces with plenty of spices, herbs, onions and tomatoes. It is believed to have originated in India & now made and enjoyed all over the world.
Also known as curried chicken, this dish is popular across the Asian countries and variations exist with different names.
Indian cuisine is diverse so there are again numerous ways to make an Indian Chicken Curry. While spices, herbs and onions are a staple in every version, some recipes use ingredients like tomatoes, yogurt (curd), coconut, poppy seeds or nuts to enhance the taste.
I have grown up eating many kinds of Indian Chicken Curries from various regions as my Mom was a food enthusiast. So making a good Chicken Curry is something I learnt from my Mom.
I have shared a lot of Chicken Curry & Lamb Curry recipes on this blog which are our family favourites. But this recipe is the most basic version and a great one to start with if you are a novice.
This recipe uses the most basic ingredients in the traditional form & requires no fancy ingredients like canned tomatoes, stock or any sort of cream. But feel-free to use what you have on hand depending on where you live. Ex: replace the fresh tomatoes with canned.
If you are a beginner please read the full post including Pro Tips, ingredients & substitutes and possible variations sections below before you try the recipe.
The 2 Dollar Curry (Butter Chicken) | But Cheaper
FAQ
What does butter chicken curry contain?
Ingredients: Tomatoes (from Paste) 84%, Herbs & Spices (Ginger Puree (contains Soy) 3%, Cumin 2%, Smoked Paprika, Cardamom, Garlic, Cinnamon, Nutmeg, Caraway, …
What’s the difference between chicken curry and butter chicken curry?
The biggest difference between the two recipes is that Chicken Tikka Masala spices include multiple different types of peppers whereas Butter Chicken Masala includes Kasoori Methi (fenugreek leaves). Also, Chicken Tikka Masala originated in Europe whereas Butter Chicken Masala is a North Indian recipe.
What are the ingredients in butter chicken?
Butter chicken, also known as Murgh Makhani, typically includes chicken, yogurt, tomatoes, butter, onions, garlic, ginger, and a variety of spices like garam masala, turmeric, chili powder, and cumin.
What does butter chicken sauce consist of?
Water, Tomato, Cream, Unsalted butter, Vegetable oil, Sugar, Modified corn starch, Concentrated tomato purée, Spices, Dried onion, Ginger, Garlic, Salt, Lactic acid (acidulant), Paprika extract, Citric acid (acidulant), Dried fenugreek leaf.