2Boneless Chicken Breastscut into 1 and 1/2 inch cubes
2tspGinger Paste
2tspGarlic Paste
1/2cupYogurt
3tspVegetable/Canola/Corn Oil
3tbspShaan Tandoori Masala
Sauce
3tbspGhee(Clarified Butter)
1cupHeavy Whipping Creamhalf and half will not work!
1tspGarlic Paste
1tspGinger Paste
4Plum TomatoesDiced
2tspChilli PowderAdjust according to your taste
2tspCumin/Coriander Powder
1/2tspGaram Masala
2tbspButter
1Large Onion Sliced
4Black Peppercorns
2Cardamom PodsI used green cardamom
3Cloves
1Star AniseOPTIONAL
Instructions
For the Chicken
In a medium bowl, combine the Tandoori Masala, ginger, garlic,oil and yogurt. Whisk until smooth, adjust seasonings to preference. Add the chicken and allow to marinate for at least 20 minutes and ideally for 12-24 hours, covered in the refrigerator.
Butter Chicken Sauce Method
Heat the Ghee in a heavy bottomed pot over medium heat. Add the peppercorns,cardamom,cloves, star anise to the pan,let saute for 30 seconds.
Add the onions and sauté until they turn translucent and start to sweat, about 6-7 minutes, onions should be slightly brown at the edges. Add ginger and garlic paste and let cook for a few seconds, making sure to stir it so it doesn’t burn.
Once the raw smell of the garlic and ginger is gone add in diced tomatoes and let the mixture cook down till it become almost pulpy.
Once the mixture has become pulpy turn off the stove and let it cool
Puree the mixture in a blender along with 1 cup water and return to the pan on a medium flame. Remember to hold the lid of the blender down with a kitchen towel when blending, to avoid accidents.
Strain this mixture into the pan to avoid any small pieces of spices getting into your dish.
Cook for approximately 4 minutes and then add in chilli powder,coriander/cumin powder,garam masala. Continue to cook for about 5 more minutes (careful as the liquid does sputter outside the pan)
Put your dish together
Heat the remaining tablespoon of oil in the pan over medium heat. Add the marinated chicken (discard any excess marinade) and cook for about 5-6 minutes, stirring as required to brown all sides. You can also grill the chicken or cook in the oven at 350 degrees for 10 minutes(it will finish cooking in the sauce) I especially love grilling it on my charcoal grill in the summertime.
Add the butter chicken sauce to the pot and heat everything through. Once it starts to bubble, add the butter, cream and garam masala. When the sauce regains a simmer, add the crushed fenugreek leaves (rub them in between your fingers/palm).
Serve over Basmati rice or with naan.
FREEZING THE SAUCE
If you want to freeze the sauce for future use you can. Just cool the sauce and freeze it for up to 4 months., it will help blend the flavors even more, just remember to bring the sauce back to room temperature before proceeding with the recipe. DO NOT ADD CREAM TO SAUCE IF YOU ARE FREEZING IT!
Notes
This post may contain affiliate links that earn me a small commission, at no additional cost to you. I only recommend products I personally use and love, or think my readers will find useful.In order to achieve that restaurant reddish/orange hue I add a few saffron strands to the dish. This is optional but I find it helps!