Pioneer Woman Butter Chicken Recipe

This Pioneer Woman Butter Chicken is a creamy and spiced recipe, which is made with yogurt-marinated chicken and simmered in a rich tomato and cream sauce. It’s the ultimate comfort food recipe, ready in about 2 hours and 55 minutes.

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Pioneer Woman Butter Chicken Recipe Ingredients

For the Marinade:

• 1/2 cup plain yogurt, full-fat
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• 1 tsp turmeric powder
• 2 tsp garam masala
• 1/2 tsp chili powder or cayenne pepper powder
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• 1 tbsp ginger, freshly grated
• 2 cloves garlic, crushed
• 1.5 lb / 750 g chicken thigh fillets, cut into bite-size pieces

For the Curry:

• 2 tbsp (30 g) ghee or butter, OR 1 tbsp vegetable oil
• 1 cup tomato passata (tomato puree)
• 1 cup heavy / thickened cream
• 1 tbsp sugar
• 1 1/4 tsp salt

How To Make Pioneer Woman Butter Chicken Recipe

1. Marinate the Chicken: In a large bowl, combine all the marinade ingredients: yogurt, lemon juice, turmeric, garam masala, chili powder, cumin, ginger, and garlic. Add the chicken pieces and stir until they are fully coated. Cover and refrigerate for at least 3 hours, or overnight for the best flavor.
2. Sear the Chicken: In a large skillet or Dutch oven, heat the ghee or butter over medium-high heat. Remove the chicken from the marinade, letting any excess drip off, and place it in the skillet. Sear for about 3 minutes, until the chicken is lightly browned.
3. Make the Curry Sauce: Pour the tomato passata, heavy cream, sugar, salt, and any remaining marinade from the bowl into the skillet with the chicken.
4. Simmer and Finish: Stir everything together and bring to a gentle simmer. Reduce the heat to low, cover, and let it cook for 20 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and the sauce has thickened.
5. Garnish and Serve: Adjust salt to taste. Garnish with fresh cilantro and serve immediately with basmati rice or warm naan bread.

Recipe Tips

• Why marinate the chicken for so long? Marinating is key to tender, flavorful butter chicken. The yogurt and lemon juice tenderize the meat, while the spices infuse it with flavor. Marinating overnight will yield the most delicious results.
• Why use chicken thighs? Chicken thighs are juicier and more forgiving than chicken breasts, making them less likely to dry out during the cooking process. They are the traditional choice for a rich, tender butter chicken.
• How do I get a thick, creamy sauce? Simmering the sauce uncovered for the last 5-10 minutes of cooking will allow it to reduce and thicken naturally. Be sure to use full-fat yogurt and heavy cream for the richest consistency.
• What is tomato passata? Tomato passata is uncooked, strained tomato puree, usually sold in glass jars or bottles. It has a smooth, rich consistency that is perfect for this sauce. If you can’t find it, you can use canned tomato puree.

What To Serve With Butter Chicken

This rich and creamy curry is best served with traditional Indian accompaniments:

• Fluffy basmati rice
• Warm naan bread or roti for dipping
• A side of cucumber raita (yogurt dip)
• A simple kachumber salad (cucumber, onion, tomato)

How To Store Butter Chicken

Refrigerate: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The flavors often deepen and taste even better the next day. Freeze: Butter chicken freezes exceptionally well. Let it cool completely, then store it in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

Butter Chicken Nutrition Facts

• Calories: 355 kcal
• Protein: 30g
• Fat: 22g
• Carbohydrates: 9g
• Sodium: 850mg

Nutrition information is estimated and may vary based on ingredients and cooking methods used.

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