
🧄 Ingredients:
For the chicken marinade:
- 500g boneless chicken (thigh or breast), cut into bite-size pieces
- 1 cup yogurt
- ملعقة كبيرة من عصير الليمون
- 1 tbsp ginger-garlic paste
- 1 tsp turmeric
- 1 tsp garam masala
- 1 tsp chili powder
- ملح حسب الرغبة
For the sauce:
- ملعقتان كبيرتان من الزبدة
- 1 large onion, finely chopped
- 1 tbsp ginger-garlic paste
- 2 large tomatoes, pureed
- 1 tsp chili powder
- 1 tsp garam masala
- 1 ملعقة صغيرة من السكر
- ½ cup heavy cream
- ملح حسب الرغبة
- Fresh coriander for garnish
🍳 Instructions:
🔥 PART 1: Marinating the Chicken
🍗 Ingredients Recap:
- 500g boneless chicken (breast = leaner, thigh = juicier)
- 1 cup plain yogurt
- ملعقة كبيرة من عصير الليمون
- 1 tbsp ginger-garlic paste
- 1 tsp turmeric
- 1 tsp garam masala
- 1 tsp chili powder
- ملح حسب الرغبة
🧪 Steps:
- Cut the chicken into bite-sized chunks.
- Mix everything in a large bowl or ziplock bag. Coat the chicken well.
- Cover & chill in the fridge for 1–12 hours (the longer, the deeper the flavor).
🧠 Pro Tip: Marinate overnight if you can. It makes the chicken super tender and flavorful.
🔥 PART 2: Cooking the Chicken
You’ve got options here:
Option A – Grill it:
- Preheat your grill or grill pan.
- Cook on medium-high heat for about 5–6 minutes per side or until slightly charred.
Option B – Bake it:
- Oven at 220°C (430°F).
- Bake for ~15–18 minutes, flip halfway.
- Optional: Broil for the last 2 mins for that grilled effect.
Option C – Pan-fry it:
- Heat 1 tbsp oil in a pan.
- Cook on medium-high heat till golden and cooked through.
⛔ Don’t toss the marinade! You can reuse it in the sauce (after cooking it thoroughly).
🔥 PART 2: Cooking the Chicken
You’ve got options here:
Option A – Grill it:
- Preheat your grill or grill pan.
- Cook on medium-high heat for about 5–6 minutes per side or until slightly charred.
Option B – Bake it:
- Oven at 220°C (430°F).
- Bake for ~15–18 minutes, flip halfway.
- Optional: Broil for the last 2 mins for that grilled effect.
Option C – Pan-fry it:
- Heat 1 tbsp oil in a pan.
- Cook on medium-high heat till golden and cooked through.
⛔ Don’t toss the marinade! You can reuse it in the sauce (after cooking it thoroughly).
🔥 PART 3: Making the Butter Sauce
🍅 Sauce Ingredients (with details):
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter
- 1 large onion, finely chopped (this is your flavor base)
- 1 tbsp ginger-garlic paste
- 2 large ripe tomatoes, blended until smooth (or 1 cup tomato purée)
- 1 tsp red chili powder (adjust for heat)
- 1 tsp garam masala
- 1 tsp sugar (balances acidity)
- ½ cup heavy cream (adds richness)
- ملح حسب الرغبة
- Optional: a pinch of fenugreek leaves (kasuri methi) for authentic depth
🍳 Steps:
- Melt butter in a large pan over medium heat.
- Add onions. Cook until golden brown (about 10 mins).
- Add ginger-garlic paste. Stir for 1–2 minutes until aromatic.
- Add tomato purée. Cook it down until the oil starts to separate (about 10–15 mins).
- Sprinkle in chili powder, garam masala, sugar, and salt.
- Add the cream, and stir until it becomes a dreamy orange sauce.
- Add the cooked chicken and simmer for 5–10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
🥄 Optional finisher: Add a splash of cream and a small chunk of butter just before serving for that restaurant-style richness.
🍽️ Final Touches:
- Garnish with fresh coriander (cilantro).
- Serve with steamed basmati rice, butter naan, or paratha.