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Fojol Bros. Butter Chicken

Recipe information

  • Yield

    Serves 4

Ingredients

1 pound boneless chicken breast
1 pound chicken thighs
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 teaspoon red chile powder (Kashmiri preferred)
1 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted, plus extra for basting

MARINADE

1 cup yogurt
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon minced garlic, smashed into a paste with the back of a spoon
1/2 teaspoon garam masala
1 teaspoon red chile powder (Kashmiri preferred)
2 tablespoons minced ginger, smashed into a paste with the back of a spoon
2 tablespoons lemon juice
2 tablespoons mustard oil

MAKHNI “GRAVY”

3 1/2 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 teaspoon whole green cardamom pods
1/2 teaspoon whole cloves
1 teaspoon whole black peppercorns
1 (2- to 3-inch) cinnamon stick
1 tablespoon minced ginger, smashed into a paste with the back of a spoon
1 tablespoon minced garlic, smashed into a paste with the back of a spoon
4 or 5 green chiles, chopped
14 ounces tomato purée
1 tablespoon red chile powder (Kashmiri preferred)
1 teaspoon garam masala
2 teaspoons salt
1 cup water
1/2 teaspoon ground fenugreek
2 tablespoons honey
1 cup cream
Rice and naan or paratha, for serving

Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Cut the chicken breast and thigh meat into equal-size hunks suitable to skewering and grilling. In a small bowl, combine the lemon juice, red chile powder, salt, and 2 tablespoons butter to make a paste. Rub the paste into the chicken pieces. Place the chicken pieces in a bowl, cover, and refrigerate for 30 minutes.

    Step 2

    Meanwhile, make the marinade. Line a colander with muslin cheesecloth and drain the yogurt for 15 to 20 minutes to remove the excess water. Transfer the drained yogurt to a bowl and add the remaining marinade ingredients. Apply this marinade to the chicken pieces and refrigerate for 3 to 4 hours.

    Step 3

    Prepare a moderately hot fire in a grill (Fojol uses a tandoor) or preheat the oven to 400°F.

    Step 4

    Thread the chicken pieces onto skewers and grill them just until the juices run clear, about 4 to 5 minutes, being careful not to overcook. Baste the chicken with butter during the last couple of minutes of cooking. Remove from the heat and set aside.

    Step 5

    To prepare the gravy, melt the butter over medium heat in a medium to large sauté pan. Add the cardamom pods, cloves, peppercorns, and cinnamon. Sauté for 2 minutes, then add the ginger paste, garlic paste, and chopped green chiles and stir to combine. Cook for 2 minutes. Add the tomato purée, red chile powder, garam masala, salt, and water. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for 10 minutes. Add the fenugreek and honey, then add the cooked chicken to the gravy. Simmer for 5 minutes, then add the cream. Stir and let simmer for just a couple of minutes, then serve hot with the rice and naan or paratha.

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