The butter Chicken recipe is one of the most popular recipes, originating from northern India. This dish was created 'by chance' by mixing the leftover tandoori chicken with a thick gravy of tomatoes and butter. Butter Chicken is made with the tasty flavours of sweet and spiciness. This dish has the perfect balance of flavours, with the creaminess of butter and cream complementing the tanginess of tomatoes and spices and also the texture of tandoor. It is made by adding yoghurt to the chicken and marinating it with spices for several hours. The sauce is made from tomatoes with cream and butter, giving it a smooth texture. The rich aroma of tandoori chicken mixed in the sauces of butter and tomato makes the dish delicious and mouth-watering. Butter Chicken is not just famous in India, but it is also popular worldwide because of its comforting appeal. Due to its popularity outside of India, it is sometimes mistakenly believed to be of Western origin. Chicken tikka masala, which it is also sometimes confused with, is also made from tomato-based gravy. Butter Chicken is also called "Murgh Makhani" and is best paired with naan bread and steamed basmati rice. So let's make the recipe of Butter Chicken which is best for any occasional dinner.

• 2 whole chicken
• 2 tsp lemon
• Salt
• 3 tsp ginger-garlic paste
• 3 tbsp mustard oil
• 1 and 1/4th cup hung curd
• 2 tbsp ghee
• 2 bay leaves
• Dry fenugreek leaves
• 1/2 stick cinnamon stick
• 3 large onion
• 6 large tomato
• 1/2 tsp turmeric
• 1tbsp coriander powder
• 3 cardamom
• 10-12 cashew nuts
• 2tbsp honey
• 1/4th cup fresh cream

• Take two whole Chickens and cut them into pieces. Make cuts on the chicken pieces for the marination process.
• For the 1st marination, in a bowl, add the chicken pieces, add 2 tbsp of lemon juice and salt to taste and mix it well.
• Now add 2 tbsp of ginger garlic paste and apply it generously all over the chicken, especially in the cuts.
• Now keep it aside and let it marinate for 15-20 minutes.
• For the 2nd marination, in a bowl, add 2 tbsp of mustard oil, 1 ¼ cups of hung curd, 2 tbsp of Degi red chilli powder,1/2 tbsp of roasted gram flour, 1 tsp of black crushed peppercorns, and one heaped tbsp of ginger garlic paste.
• After adding all these ingredients in the bowl, mix it well.
• Then add salt to taste, not much because there is already salt in the 1st marination.
• Add mustard oil again for sharpness, add the chicken and let it marinate for 25-30 minutes.
• For gravy, in a heavy-bottomed pan, add 2 cubes of butter. Once it is hot, add 2 bay leaves,1/2inch of cinnamon stick,3 large onions roughly chopped give it a stir and add the tomatoes that are roughly chopped.
• Then add 1 tbsp of oil on top.
• Now add the spices, 1/2 tbsp turmeric powder 2 tbsp red chilli powder 1 tbsp coriander powder and saut it well.
• Now add salt to taste then add 1 cup of water and mix it well.
• Now add 3 green cardamoms and let it boil for a minute.
• Now add the remaining 2 cups of water and add 10-12 cashew nuts and let it boil for 10-12 minutes until mushy and cooked well.
• Now let it cool down, transfer it into a mixer grinder jar, and grind it into a smooth paste.
• For cooking chicken, in a grilling pan, add a cube of butter; once it is hot, place marinated chicken and grill it for 5-6 minutes on each side until it is half cooked.
• Transfer it to the tray and keep it aside.
• Add prepared gravy to the same heavy-bottomed pan for butter chicken and then add water to adjust the consistency. Add salt, honey, and butter to taste, and give it a quick boil.
• Add salt to taste, cooked chicken, fresh cream, butter and cook it for 7-8 minutes on medium flames until cooked well.
• Finish it with fenugreek leaves and mix it well.
• Place a small steel bowl in the middle, add burnt charcoal and butter, cover it with a lid and give it smoke for 2-3 minutes.
• Transfer it to a serving bowl, garnish it with fresh cream, dry fenugreek leaves and coriander sprig.
• Serve it with freshly made naan bread and raita or steamed basmati rice, and enjoy this lovely dinner dish with every heavenly bite adding joy to your dinner.