Chicken Makhani (Butter Chicken)

Chicken Makhani is similar to Chicken Tikka Masala, but it's a bit more mild and slightly sweet.  This is my husband's favorite Indian dish.  It amazes me that he never had Indian food until our first date because now he is totally hooked!  I doubled the sauce for this recipe since that's everyone's favorite part.  My husband loves it with naan or basmati rice.  This dish also freezes well for a lazy day.  It all starts with delicious marinated chicken tikka that is great on its own skewered with chunks of onion and green bell pepper.

Chicken Tikka:
Serves 8

1 cup plain yogurt

2 cloves of garlic, minced

1 tsp ginger, grated or minced

2 tbs lemon juice (the juice of 1/2 lemon)

2 1/2 tsp chicken masala (or 1 tsp cumin, 1 tsp ground coriander, 1/4 tsp turmeric, 1/4 tsp cayenne)

1 tsp salt

1 1/2 - 2 lbs skinless boneless chicken breasts cut into 1 1/2 inch chunks

10 skewers soaked in water for at least 1 hour

In a large bowl, combine yogurt, 2 cloves garlic, 1 tsp ginger, lemon juice, and chicken masala. Add chicken and cover with marinade. Cover with plastic wrap and allow to marinate in fridge for at least one hour or overnight.

Preheat broiler or grill. Scrape off marinade from chicken and thread on skewers and place on a foil lined baking sheet. Broil or grill for about 5-7 minutes per side depending on the thickness of the chicken breast.

Chicken Makhani:

serves 10

1 1/2 lbs of Chicken Tikka

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 tsp ginger, grated or minced

1 medium onion

1 1/2 tsp garam masala

1 tsp paprika

1 tsp sugar

28oz can of crushed tomatoes

1 cup heavy cream

1 tbs cilantro, minced

In a large dutch oven over medium heat, sautee onions and remaining garlic and ginger in a tbs of vegetable oil until onions are browned.  Add in garam masala and paprika and mix.  Reduce heat to low and add tomatoes.  Allow to simmer 15 minutes or so.  Add in cream and sugar and allow to simmer another 10 minutes.  Add in chicken and simmer for 5 minutes.  Stir in cilantro right before serving.