Chicken Makhani (Butter Chicken)

[Krithika]

A rich preparation of chicken marinated in a curd and spice mixture.

INGREDIENTS
Chicken 800 gms.
Kashmiri Red Chili Powder 1 tsp.
Lemon Juice 1 tbsp.
Salt To taste

Marination
Curd (Yogurt) 1 cup.
Ginger paste 2 tbsps.
Garlic paste 2.tbsps.
Garam Masala powder 1/2 tsp.
Kashmiri Red chili powder 1 tsp.
Lemon juice 2 tbsps.
Butter 2 tbsps.
Mustard oil 2 tsps.
Salt To taste

Makhani Sauce
Whole garam masala 1 tbsp.
Tomato puree 400 gms.
Sugar/Honey 2 tbsps.
Ginger paste 1 tbsp.
Garlic paste 1 tbsp.
Red chili powder 1 tbsp.
Garam masala powder ½ tsp.
Fresh cream 1cup.
Kasoori methi ½ tsp.
Chopped green chilies 1 tsp.
Butter 50 gms
Salt To taste

METHOD
1. Skin and clean the chicken. Make incisions with a sharp knife on breast and leg pieces.
2. Apply a mixture of red chilli powder, lemon juice and salt to the chicken and leave aside for half an hour.
3. Hang the yogurt in a muslin cloth for 15-20 minutes to remove extra water. Add red chilli powder, salt, ginger-garlic paste, lemon juice,
garam masala powder and mustard oil.
4. Apply this marinade to the chicken pieces and refrigerate for 3 to 4 hours.
5. Put the chicken onto a skewer and cook in a moderately hot tandoor or a preheated oven (200 degrees celsius) for 10-12 minutes or until almost
done. Baste it with butter and cook for another 2 minutes. Remove and keep aside.
6. Heat butter in a pan. Add whole garam masala. Let it crackle. Then add ginger-garlic paste and chopped green chillies. Cook for 2 minutes.
7. Add tomato puree, red chilli powder, garam masala powder, salt and one cup of water. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes. Add
sugar or honey and powdered kasoori methi.
8. Add cooked tandoori chicken pieces. Simmer for 5 minutes and then add fresh cream.
9. Serve hot with naan or parantha.