Saturday, September 22, 2012

Butter Chicken

 Butter Chicken

I am going to India in a few days, so was inspired to make this for my husband, since he'll be in Europe while I'm in Asia.   This is delicious when served with naan (bread) and eaten with your hands.  All the yummy goodness gets scooped up into the soft warm bread.   


Here's some of the cast of characters.   Garam Masala, Curry powder, Chinese Five spice, butter, ginger, garlic, onion and cream.  (I cheated and substituted 0% fat Greek yogurt for the cream)


4 chicken thighs without the bone and skin.


 One onion chopped.

 Combine: 1 teaspoon of curry powder, 1 teaspoon of garam masala,1/4 tsp Chinese five spice, 1/4 tsp salt, 1/4 tsp pepper. (if you  don't have Garam Masala....you can use 1/2 tsp cumin, 1/2 tsp coriander)


 Sautee the onion in little oil in a large frying pan for about 5 minutes.


Chop up the chicken into cubes.


 Add the chicken to the onions and fry for about 5 more minutes.


 Now add the dry spices, 1 heaped teaspoon of chopped garlic and 1 heaped teaspoon of grated ginger to the pan and cook for 1 minute.



At this point add 2 tablespoons of tomato paste.


 Then  quickly add 4 tablespoons of butter and stir until combined.


                                    

Finish with adding 1/2 c cream.  I used fat free greek yogurt instead.  But cream would be so much better.  But I was trying to make it a bit more healthy. It still tasted amazing. 
 

Serve it with some fresh sliced vegetables and Naan (pita is a substitute if you can't find Naan) It would be great over rice too.
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I'm really looking forward to eating more wonderful Indian food in the days ahead.  Bangalore........here I come.

 Butter Chicken Recipe

4 boneless skinless chicken thighs
1 onion
1 tsp curry powder
1 tsp garam masala
1/4 tsp Chinese 5 spice
1 tsp garlic, chopped
1 tsp ginger, grated
1/4 tsp of both salt and pepper
1 Tbsp tomato paste
4 Tbsp butter
1/2 c cream

Brown onion and chicken in a frying pan for about 8 minutes, then add garlic, ginger, and dry spices and stir for one minute, then add the tomato paste and butter and stir until combined and finish with the cream.
Serve with Naan bread.