--- title: "Butter Chicken (Murgh Makhani)" id: "3666" type: "recipe" slug: "butter-chicken-murgh-makhani" published_at: "2026-10-21T09:48:13+00:00" modified_at: "2026-10-21T09:48:13+00:00" url: "https://beestrot.com/recipe/butter-chicken-murgh-makhani/" markdown_url: "https://beestrot.com/recipe/butter-chicken-murgh-makhani.md" excerpt: "Butter Chicken (Murgh Makhani)" taxonomy_category: - "Dairy and Eggs" - "Dinner" - "Everyday Meals" - "Indian" - "Leisurely (+ 60 min)" - "Main Dishes" - "Meat and Poultry" - "Special Occasions" - "Stovetop - Sauteing" --- [by Jean Louis](https://beestrot.com/author/jean-louis/) • 📅 Last modified on October 21, 2026 Table of Contents - [• Recipe Overview](#recipe-overview) - [• Recipe Information](#recipe-metadata) - [• Time & Quantities](#recipe-time-quantities) - [• Method & Ingredients](#recipe-method) - [- Ingredients](#ingredients-section) - [- Instructions](#instructions-section) - [• Storage & Make-Ahead](#recipe-storage) - [• Nutritional & Dietary Information](#recipe-nutrition) - [• Serving & Variations](#recipe-serving) - [• Video to Share!](#recipe-video) # Butter Chicken (Murgh Makhani) Share this recipe! [Set as Preferred Source](https://www.google.com/preferences/source?q=beestrot.com) ![Butter Chicken](https://beestrot.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/Butter-Chicken.jpg "Butter Chicken (Murgh Makhani) 1") *[Click here](#image_policy) to learn about our image policy and how to submit your own!* Born in 1950s Delhi at the legendary Moti Mahal restaurant, Butter Chicken changed Indian cuisine forever and arguably the world's takeout menus too. Tender chicken simmers in a velvety tomato-cream sauce perfumed with garam masala, fenugreek, and ginger, producing a dish that is simultaneously rich, gently spiced, and utterly addictive. It is the gateway dish that made a billion non-Indians fall in love with Indian food. Difficulty:★★★☆☆(Medium) Budget: 💰💰 Seasonality: Year-round ### Recipe Information [#](#) **Categories:** [Dairy and Eggs](https://beestrot.com/focus/ingredients/dairy-and-eggs/) [Dinner](https://beestrot.com/focus/courses/dinner/) [Everyday Meals](https://beestrot.com/focus/occasions/everyday-meals/) [Indian](https://beestrot.com/focus/cuisines/indian/) [Leisurely (+ 60 min)](https://beestrot.com/focus/time-to-table/leisurely-60-min/) [Main Dishes](https://beestrot.com/focus/courses/main-dishes/) [Meat and Poultry](https://beestrot.com/focus/ingredients/meat-and-poultry/) [Special Occasions](https://beestrot.com/focus/occasions/special-occasions/) [Stovetop - Sauteing](https://beestrot.com/focus/cooking-methods/stovetop-sauteing/) **Tags:** [Aromatic](https://beestrot.com/tags/aromatic/) [Creamy](https://beestrot.com/tags/creamy/) [Crowd-Pleaser](https://beestrot.com/tags/crowd-pleaser/) [Marinated](https://beestrot.com/tags/marinated/) [Rich](https://beestrot.com/tags/rich/) [Savory](https://beestrot.com/tags/savory/) [Smoky](https://beestrot.com/tags/smoky/) [Spicy](https://beestrot.com/tags/spicy/) [Tender](https://beestrot.com/tags/tender/) **Religious Considerations:** Halal if using halal-certified chicken **Recipe Source:** Traditional Indian Recipe Print this Recipe ### Time & Quantities [#](#) **Preparation:** 25 mins **Cooking:** 40 mins **Total:** 65 mins **Serves:** 4 **Preparation-to-Cooking Ratio:** 0.63Balanced prep and cook time. ### Method & Ingredients [#](#) **Required Equipment:** Large bowl, large skillet or Dutch oven, wooden spoon, blender (optional) [Lodge 5 Quart Pre-Seasoned Cast Iron Double Dutch Oven with Lid](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000LEXR0K/?tag=beestrot08-20) [View on Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000LEXR0K/?tag=testtag-20) [Zulay Kitchen 6-Piece Wooden Cooking Spoons](https://www.amazon.com/dp/wooden%20spoon/?tag=beestrot08-20) [View on Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/dp/wooden%20spoon/?tag=testtag-20) [Ninja Blender, Mega Kitchen System](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00939I7EK/?tag=beestrot08-20) [View on Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00939I7EK/?tag=testtag-20) [Lime or Lemon Manual Squeezer](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00164TKA0/?tag=beestrot08-20) [View on Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00164TKA0/?tag=testtag-20) [Silicone Spatula Turner Set of 3](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09WY2M47F/?tag=beestrot08-20) [View on Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09WY2M47F/?tag=testtag-20) [KitchenAid All Purpose Kitchen Shears](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07PZF3QS3/?tag=beestrot08-20) [View on Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07PZF3QS3/?tag=testtag-20) **Cooking Method:** Stovetop - Sauteing #### Ingredients - 1.5 lbs chicken thighs (boneless / skinless / cut into chunks) - 1 cup plain yogurt - 2 tbsp lemon juice - 2 tsp garam masala (divided) - 1 tsp turmeric - 1 tsp cumin - 1 tsp chili powder - 2 tbsp oil - 3 tbsp butter - 1 large onion (finely diced) - 4 garlic cloves (minced) - 1 tbsp fresh ginger (grated) - 1 can (14 oz) crushed tomatoes - 1 cup heavy cream - 1 tbsp honey - 1 tsp fenugreek leaves (dried / kasuri methi) - salt to taste - fresh cilantro for garnish #### Instructions 1. Marinate chicken: mix yogurt, lemon juice, 1 tsp garam masala, turmeric, cumin, and chili powder. Add chicken, coat well, and marinate at least 30 minutes - overnight is where the magic really happens. 2. Heat oil in a large skillet over high heat. Sear marinated chicken in batches until charred on edges, about 5-6 minutes. Set aside - don't crowd the pan or you will steam instead of sear, and nobody wants sad chicken. 3. In the same pan, melt butter over medium heat. Saute onion until golden, about 8 minutes. Add garlic and ginger, cook 2 minutes until fragrant. 4. Add remaining 1 tsp garam masala, stir 30 seconds. Add crushed tomatoes and simmer 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. 5. Blend the sauce until smooth (carefully - hot liquid in a blender is one of cooking's great surprises). Return to pan. 6. Stir in cream and honey. Add seared chicken, simmer on low 15 minutes until sauce thickens and chicken is cooked through. 7. Finish with crushed fenugreek leaves - this is the secret ingredient that makes it taste like the real thing. 8. Taste, adjust salt, and serve garnished with fresh cilantro. ### Storage & Make-Ahead [#](#) **Storage Advice:** Refrigerate up to 4 days. Sauce thickens when cold - add a splash of water when reheating over low heat. **Make-Ahead & Freezing Tips:** Freeze sauce and chicken together for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in fridge. Cream-based sauces may separate slightly on reheating - whisk gently to recombine. ### Nutritional & Dietary Information [#](#) **Nutritional Information:** - **Calories:** 520 - **Protein:** 38g - **Fat:** 34g (Saturated: 17g) - **Carbohydrates:** 14g (Fiber: 2g / Sugar: 8g) - **Vitamin A:** 22% DV - **Vitamin C:** 18% DV - **Calcium:** 12% DV - **Iron:** 14% DV **Allergen Information:** Contains dairy (yogurt / cream / butter). Gluten-free. **Dietary Information:** Gluten-free as written. Not suitable for dairy-free or vegan diets. Adjustable spice level. ### Serving & Variations [#](#) **Serving Suggestions:** Serve over fragrant basmati rice with warm naan for scooping. A small bowl of sliced cucumber in yogurt on the side cuts through the richness beautifully. **Wine or Drink Pairing:** A fruity off-dry Riesling from Alsace (Trimbach or Hugel) balances the spice and cream perfectly. For something bolder, a Viognier from the Rhone Valley echoes the aromatic spices with equal confidence. **Possible Recipe Variations:** Beestrot Signature: Finish with a tablespoon of smoked butter instead of regular for a subtle tandoor-like smokiness without the clay oven. Variations: Paneer Makhani - replace chicken with cubed paneer for a vegetarian version. Lamb Makhani - use bone-in lamb pieces for a deeper and earthier sauce. Spicy Makhani - double the chili powder and add a slit green chili for heat seekers. **Additional Notes:** Kasuri methi (dried fenugreek leaves) is the non-negotiable secret to authentic flavor - worth hunting down at an Indian grocery store. Share this recipe! [Set as Preferred Source](https://www.google.com/preferences/source?q=beestrot.com) Disclosure: This recipe may contain affiliate links. This means we may earn a commission if you click on a link and make a purchase at no extra cost to you. This applies to featured Amazon products or any other Beestrot's partners. I only link to products I would actually use in my own kitchen. Thank you for your support! Jean Louis. ## Leave a Reply [Cancel reply](/recipe/butter-chicken-murgh-makhani/#respond) You must be [logged in](https://beestrot.com/wp-login.php?redirect_to=https%3A%2F%2Fbeestrot.com%2Frecipe%2Fbutter-chicken-murgh-makhani%2F) to post a comment. ### Encore! 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