Description
Succulent homemade butter chicken (murgh makhani) brings Indian culinary magic straight to your kitchen. Creamy tomato-based sauce embraces tender chicken, delivering rich flavors that dance with traditional spices and promise an unforgettable dining experience.
Ingredients
Scale
Proteins:
- 2 pounds (907 grams) boneless skinless chicken breast, cubed
- 1/2 cup (120 milliliters) plain Greek yogurt (whole, low-fat, or fat-free)
Vegetables and Aromatics:
- 2 medium yellow onions, peeled, cut in half and sliced (~13 ounces or 368 grams)
- 1 medium red bell pepper, diced
- 3 medium carrots, diced (5–6 ounces or 142–170 grams)
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tablespoon minced fresh ginger (~2-inch piece)
Sauces, Spices, and Additional Ingredients:
- 1 (15-ounce or 425 grams) can tomato sauce
- 1 (6-ounce or 170 grams) can tomato paste
- Juice of 1/2 lemon
- 3 tablespoons curry powder
- 2 teaspoons garam masala
- 1/2 teaspoon fine salt
- 1 tablespoon salted butter, chilled and cut into pieces
- 1/2 cup (120 milliliters) half-and-half
Instructions
- Create a foundational layer of sliced onions in the slow cooker, allowing them to caramelize and develop a rich, sweet essence during cooking.
- Combine chicken with bell peppers, carrots, tomato sauce, tomato paste, lemon juice, garlic, ginger, curry powder, garam masala, and salt in a mixing bowl, ensuring thorough and even coating.
- Carefully transfer the seasoned mixture over the caramelized onion base, strategically placing chilled butter pieces across the surface to enhance flavor and texture.
- Set slow cooker to high temperature and cook for 4.5 hours, or alternatively use low setting for 6.5 hours until chicken is tender and sauce is richly developed.
- Once cooking is complete, gently stir the mixture to integrate flavors and allow it to rest briefly before incorporating yogurt and half-and-half, creating a creamy, luxurious finish.
Notes
- Customize spice levels by adjusting curry powder and garam masala for mild or intense flavor profiles.
- Opt for Greek yogurt instead of regular yogurt to enhance protein content and create a thicker, creamier sauce.
- Choose boneless, skinless chicken thighs for more tender and juicy meat that absorbs spices better than chicken breasts.
- Consider preparing the dish a day ahead, as flavors intensify and meld together beautifully when allowed to rest overnight in the refrigerator.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 4 hours 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: Indian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 384
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 410 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 26 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 40 g
- Cholesterol: 130 mg