How to Make a Flavorful Garlic Butter Chicken

Garlic butter chicken is one of the most popular Indian dishes worldwide. This flavorful and rich dish combines succulent chunks of chicken with creamy garlic sauce, making it a favorite in many households. If you are looking for an easy yet delicious recipe that can impress your family or friends, then this is the perfect dish to make! In just about 30 minutes, you can have a comforting meal ready to serve.

The main ingredients required for this dish include chicken breasts, garlic, butter, cream (or yogurt), and a selection of spices such as cumin seeds, coriander powder, garam masala, chili powder, and turmeric. These common household items make it possible to prepare the dish with ease.

Begin by marinating your chicken in a mixture of garlic, yogurt, and a few drops of lemon juice for at least 1 hour. This will help tenderize the chicken and add flavor. While you can use store-bought garlic paste, making fresh garlic paste at home ensures that every bite has a robust garlic flavor.

Once the chicken is marinated, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Take a baking dish large enough to fit all the pieces of chicken snugly and pour in some olive oil. Gently place the marinated chicken into the dish ensuring that it is covered with the marinade evenly.

While the chicken is roasting, start preparing your sauce. In a pan, melt butter over medium heat until it starts to sizzle. Add chopped garlic cloves (about 5-6) and cook them until they turn golden brown. Be careful not to burn the garlic as this can alter its flavor.

After cooking the garlic for about 1 minute, add cumin seeds followed by coriander powder, garam masala, chili powder, turmeric, and salt according to your taste preference. Stirring continuously until the spices are well combined with butter is essential because it helps in getting rid of any raw spice smell.

Once everything is well integrated, pour in a can of cream or full-fat yogurt, stirring continuously to avoid lumps from forming. Allow this sauce mixture to cook for around 5 minutes before removing from heat. This allows the flavors to meld together perfectly without overcooking it further.

After about half an hour, check on your chicken; when the edges start turning golden brown and the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C), your garlic butter chicken is ready! Take out the chicken pieces from the oven carefully using tongs or a spatula. Place these deliciously cooked pieces over the sauce you prepared earlier.

Now comes the final touch – garnish with chopped cilantro leaves and serve hot! Garlic butter chicken pairs wonderfully well with basmati rice, naan bread, or any side vegetable like green beans or carrots. Not only does this dish taste great but it also offers numerous health benefits due to its rich nutritional profile.

Garlic butter chicken is a versatile meal that can be enjoyed anytime of the day; perfect for lunch or dinner! You could even serve leftovers the next day as sandwiches, wraps, or over rice. The flavor doesn’t diminish after cooking and reheating; it remains just as potent and delicious every time.

Cooking Time: 30 minutes (including preparation time)

• Preparation: Start marinating chicken with garlic, yogurt, and lemon juice for at least 1 hour
• Baking: Place chicken in the oven preheated to 350°F (175°C) for about half an hour until cooked through
• Making sauce: Simmer butter with garlic, spices, cream/yogurt, and salt over medium heat for 5 minutes before removing from heat

Servings: This recipe yields enough to serve 4 people generously. Adjust the quantity of ingredients accordingly if you are cooking for fewer or more people.