Let me first explain. I am in India and Suraj is my sister’s cook. He lives in one of the rooms behind her house especially made for the help. He lives far away from his own home with the rest of the help, that stay to make everyone in the Sial house comfortable. He works relentlessly everyday, running up and down between the levels in the house to make sure everyone is taken care of, at all times. Almost always with a smile. Now I had heard a lot about Suraj’s butter chicken. His butter chicken often mistaken for a restaurants. I do make a version myself back in Holland so was curious how his could be any different.
It was! Very different. And super delicious, just as it had been advertised. Wow! And what gorgeous colors. His version asks for chicken on bone but you can do a chicken breast. You haven’t eaten chicken in my opinion till you have tried a butter chicken. So, why not make your Christmas this year a spicy one?! 😉
1 kilo chicken on bone / chicken breast, cut roughly in largish pieces
for the marinade
2 tbsps ginger garlic paste
1 tsp coriander powder
1 tsp red chili powder
2 tsps salt
pinch of red food coloring
juice of 1/2 lime
Pour the marinade on the chicken pieces, in a bowl and cover and let rest for 15-20 minutes.
for the curry sauce
4 big tomatoes
3 medium red onions
1 tbsp oil
1 tsp red chili powder
2 cups water
for the tempering
1 tbsp oil
6 cloves
6 whole black pepper
1 bay leaf
stick of cinnamon
2 tbsps ginger garlic paste
to be added later to the sauce
1 cup water
1 tsp sugar
1 tsp salt
1 tsp red chili
1 tsp coriander powder
2 tsps chicken curry masala powder
In a pan, combine all ingredients and set on high flame. Bring to a boil and cover pan and let cook for around 30 minutes or till the onions and tomatoes are cooked.
to prepare
Preheat oven to 240°C/465°F. Place chicken on a baking tray and grill till pieces are nicely browned on both sides. Set aside.
In the meantime, once your onions and tomatoes are cooked, blitz with a hand mixer. Set aside.
In a wok on high fire, add the oil and let it turn hot. Then add the tempering spices. Fry till nicely browned. Around 5 minutes.
Pour the tomato mixture.
Add the spices that are meant to be added later to the sauce. Bring mixture to the boil and then add the grilled chicken pieces. Cook on medium heat for 15-20 so that all the spices seep into the chicken.
Serve with hot basmati rice or Indian bread.
Masaledar/Spicy Watermelon Gazpacho
Spicy Stuffed Peppers with Paneer
Masala Pepper Curry
We travelled halfway around the world from Cape Towb to South Korea, to visit my daughter living in Ulsan where she is living the last seven months. She asked me to bring herbs and spices and most of them are here in my suitcase to make this butter chicken! I am going ingredients hunting tomorrow and we shall feast on butter chicken! Thank you for the lovely post.
Everyone has to eat butter chicken at least once! It is divine. 🙂
Fantastic!
Thank you!
This looks so good, bookmarked!
Thank you!
I feel like I should make this with tofu or my fake chicken. OMG it looks amazing xoxo
Thanks babe!
I’m new to your blog and totally love the Indian vibe! Mouth-watering recipes and gorgeous photography.
Greetings from Finland,
Sini
Hello Sini and welcome to my space! Thank you so much for your compliments. I visited your space and loved your blog too! It’s bookmarked! 🙂
I love a good butter chicken, but have always been too intimidated to make it myself at home. What is a garlic ginger paste? Is it just equal parts garlic and ginger pounded/blended together?
Butter chicken is easy, labor intensive but quite easy. Try it! Ginger garlic paste is indeed equal parts ginger and garlic. Let me know if you give it a try! 🙂
I tried your butter chicken recipe today. It was so easy and tasted amazing. I added couple spoons of yogurt and bit of butter- made it creamier. I added coriander to garnish.
You should photoshop the photos more…
Hi looks brilliant! What is chicken curry masala powder?