Butter Chicken Recipe: Based on NeemTime research
Ingredients:
For the Chicken Marinade:
500g chicken breasts, skinless and boneless – 880 calories
1/2 cup plain yogurt – 75 calories
1 tablespoon lemon juice – 4 calories
1 teaspoon ground cumin – 8 calories
1 teaspoon ground coriander – 5 calories
1 teaspoon ground turmeric – 8 calories
1 teaspoon garam masala – 8 calories
1/2 teaspoon chili powder (adjust to taste) – negligible calories
1/2 teaspoon salt – negligible calories
1 tablespoon vegetable oil – 120 calories
For the Butter Chicken Sauce:
2 tablespoons unsalted butter – 200 calories
1 medium onion, finely chopped – 45 calories
3 garlic cloves, minced – 15 calories
1-inch piece ginger, minced – 5 calories
1 cup canned tomatoes (pureed or chopped) – 40 calories
1/2 cup heavy cream – 400 calories
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin – 8 calories
1/2 teaspoon ground coriander – 5 calories
1 teaspoon garam masala – 8 calories
1/4 teaspoon chili powder (optional) – negligible calories
1/4 teaspoon salt – negligible calories
1/4 teaspoon black pepper – negligible calories
Fresh cilantro for garnish (optional) – negligible calories
Total Calories: 1,780 calories (for the entire dish, excluding any rice or bread)
Instructions:
1. Marinate the Chicken
Prepare Chicken: Cut 500g of chicken breasts into bite-sized pieces. (Approx. 880 calories)
Combine Marinade: In a bowl, combine 1/2 cup yogurt, 1 tablespoon lemon juice, 1 teaspoon ground cumin, 1 teaspoon ground coriander, 1 teaspoon ground turmeric, 1 teaspoon garam masala, 1/2 teaspoon chili powder, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1 tablespoon vegetable oil. (Approx. 75 calories for yogurt, 120 calories for oil, and minimal calories for spices)
Marinate Chicken: Add the chicken pieces to the marinade and toss to coat. Cover and let it marinate for at least 30 minutes (or up to 2 hours) in the refrigerator. (Total calories for marinade: 140 calories)
2. Cook the Chicken
Cook Chicken: In a large skillet or pan, heat a bit of oil (or use some of the marinating oil) over medium heat. Add the marinated chicken pieces in batches, cooking until golden brown on all sides and cooked through, about 7-8 minutes. Remove chicken from the pan and set aside. (Approx. 880 calories from chicken + a bit of oil)
3. Prepare the Sauce
Cook Onions: In the same pan, add 2 tablespoons unsalted butter. Once melted, add 1 medium chopped onion and sauté until golden brown, about 5-7 minutes. (Approx. 200 calories from butter, 45 calories from onion)
Add Garlic and Ginger: Add 3 minced garlic cloves and 1-inch minced ginger to the onions, and sauté for another 1-2 minutes until fragrant. (Approx. 15 calories from garlic and ginger)
4. Add Tomatoes and Spices
Add Tomatoes: Add 1 cup canned tomatoes (pureed or chopped) to the pan and cook for about 5 minutes. Stir occasionally to avoid burning. (Approx. 40 calories for tomatoes)
Add Spices: Add 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin, 1/2 teaspoon ground coriander, 1 teaspoon garam masala, 1/4 teaspoon chili powder, 1/4 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper. Stir and cook for 2-3 minutes until the spices release their fragrance. (Approx. 21 calories for spices)
5. Simmer the Sauce
Simmer Sauce: Add 1/2 cup heavy cream to the pan and stir well to combine. Let the sauce simmer on low heat for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent it from burning. The sauce should thicken slightly. (Approx. 400 calories for cream)
6. Combine Chicken and Sauce
Add Chicken to Sauce: Add the cooked chicken back into the pan with the sauce. Stir to coat the chicken in the creamy sauce and let it simmer for another 5 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together. Taste and adjust seasoning, adding more salt or spices as needed. (Total calories from chicken and sauce: 880 + 400 = 1,280 calories)
7. Serve and Garnish
Garnish: Garnish the butter chicken with fresh cilantro (optional). Serve hot with rice or naan bread. (Negligible calories for cilantro)
Total Estimated Calories per Serving:
Total Calories for the Dish: 1,780 calories for the entire dish
Calories per Serving (for 4 servings): Approximately 445 calories per serving (without rice or bread)
This homemade Butter Chicken is a rich, creamy, and flavorful dish, perfect for a family meal. You can serve it with basmati rice or naan bread to complete the meal.