Butter Chicken

I've mentioned this recipe before, but it's worth telling you about again.  We ate this for dinner tonight and I truly can't wait to eat the leftovers tomorrow.  This recipe for butter chicken takes some preparation and planning as it needs to marinade for several hours before cooking.  Other than that, it's pretty simple, and I like that the final step is to simmer for 30 minutes (or longer), giving you time to do other things while dinner is cooking.  In the past, this hasn't been a huge hit with the kids, but tonight they both happily ate huge portions.  Without further adieu, here's the recipe.

image via tasty kitchen

Butter Chicken
Adapted from Tasty Kitchen

• 4 pieces Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts (cut Into Bite Sized Pieces)
• 5 cloves Garlic, Minced
• 1 teaspoon Salt
• ½ teaspoons Black Pepper
• 1/4 teaspoons Cayenne Pepper  (this is the kid friendly version- use 1/2 tsp if you like food a little spicier)
• ¼ teaspoons Ground Coriander
• ¼ teaspoons Cumin
• ¼ teaspoons Cardamom  (Buy it in pod form and crush it- cheaper, fresher and it smells amazing!)
• 1 whole Lime, Juiced
• 1 whole Onion, Diced
• ¼ cups Butter
• 1 can (14.5 Oz. Can) Tomato Sauce
• 1 can (14.5 Oz. Can) Petite Diced Tomatoes
• 1 pint Whipping Cream
• 1 bunch Chopped Cilantro, to taste
• Basmati rice, cooked per directions on package 

Combine first 9 ingredients and marinate at least 6 hours to overnight. 

Saute the onion in the butter until soft. Add marinated chicken and cook about 10 minutes. Add the tomato sauce and diced tomatoes. Cook for 30 minutes (I cook it longer if I have time) over medium-low heat with the lid on. Add the whipping cream and cilantro just before serving over Basmati rice.

A couple of notes:

- After the chicken is partially cooked, I like to cut it into smaller pieces in the pan.  This way, as it cooks in the sauce it become even more tender.  When we eat at Indian restaurants, it seems that the chicken is usually cut this way versus in bite sized chunks.  

-This recipe makes a lot of extra sauce, which is good.  I've used this for lunch on the third day; just add frozen cauliflower and peas and serve over rice- delicious!