Indian cuisine can be intimidating to a new cook but with recipes like butter chicken, Indian food can be made at home any night of the week. This chicken dish may be mild put still packs a punch when it comes to flavor. A rich and creamy tomato sauce is flavored with butter, garlic, cayenne pepper, garam masala and caramelized onions. Garam masala is not a single spice, rather it's an aromatic spice blend that's used extensively in Indian cooking. You can purchase this curry powder at any spice market or prepare your own blend. Serve your butter chicken on a bed of fluffy white rice to soak up that wonderful sauce.
Indian Butter Chicken
1 cup butter, divided
1 onion, diced
2 large garlic cloves, finely minced
1 16 ounce can of tomato sauce
1 1/2 cups heavy cream
1 1/2 cups half and half
2 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
2 teaspoons garam masala, divided
4 large boneless, skinless chicken breast, cubed
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
Jasmine rice for serving
Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
In a skillet, three tablespoons of butter and add onions. Caramelize onions on low heat until golden brown in color, usually about 15 minutes.
Melt the remaining butter in a saucepan over medium-high heat with the tomato sauce, heavy cream, half and half, salt, cayenne pepper, and 1 teaspoon garam masala. Bring the liquid to a simmer, then reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. After, add the caramelized onions.
While the butter sauce is reducing, toss cubed chicken breast with vegetable oil and season with the remaining teaspoon of garam masala. Spread the chicken on a baking sheet and bake for 15 minutes.
Cook the rice according to the package directions while the sauce is simmering and the chicken is baking.
Once cooked, add the chicken to the butter sauce and simmer for an additional 5 minutes before serving.
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