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Butter Chicken with Bollywood Basmati Rice is a rich, creamy dinner with warm spices and tender chicken.
Butter Chicken with Bollywood Basmati Rice is rich, creamy, and layered with warm spices that actually come through. The roasted chicken step really makes a difference here.
Spiced roasted chicken folded into rich, silky sauce with fragrant basmati rice, apricots, almonds and herbs.
Why You Will Love and Enjoy This Butter Chicken with Bollywood Basmati Rice
- Rich creamy sauce with just the right amount of spice
- Roasted chicken adds extra flavour you don’t get from simmering alone
- The sweet and nutty rice balances everything perfectly
Butter Chicken with Bollywood Basmati Rice
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 55 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
- Yield: 4–6 servings depending on size 1x
- Category: Dinner Recipes
- Method: Easy Cooking
- Cuisine: Indian
Description
This one’s a full-on comfort meal with bold spices and a creamy finish that just works. It’s a bit hands-on, but totally worth it once you take that first bite.
Ingredients
Chicken
- 1 tbsp canola oil
- 1/2 cup minced garlic
- 1/2 cup minced ginger (I just combined both here)
- 2 tsp chili powder
- 1 tsp turmeric
- 2 tsp garam masala
- 2 tbsp pomegranate juice
- 2.2 lb = 1 kg skinless bone-in chicken thighs
Butter Sauce
- 1 tbsp ghee (or olive oil)
- 1 cup diced red onion
- 1 tsp minced ginger
- 1 tsp minced garlic
- 3 Roma tomatoes, seeded and chopped
- 1/2 tsp garam masala
- 1/2 tsp chili powder
- 1/2 tsp turmeric
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 2 tbsp ghee (or butter)
- 2 tsp salt (adjust later if needed)
- 2 tsp freshly ground black pepper
Rice
- 2 tsp olive oil
- 1 cup basmati rice (rinsed until water runs clear)
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 2 cups water
- 2 tsp salt
- 1/4 cup sliced apricots
- 2 tbsp chopped currants
- 1/4 cup slivered almonds, toasted
- 2 tbsp chopped cilantro
Instructions
Chicken
- Preheat your oven to 400⁰F (200⁰C).
- In a large sauté pan over medium heat, warm 1 tbsp canola oil.
- Add 1/2 cup minced garlic and 1/2 cup minced ginger and cook for about 3 minutes until soft and fragrant, don’t let it brown too much.
- Stir in 2 tsp chili powder, 1 tsp turmeric, 2 tsp garam masala, and 2 tbsp pomegranate juice. Let this mixture cool slightly so it doesn’t cook the chicken on contact.
- Rub the mixture all over the 1 kg chicken thighs.
- Lay them in a shallow baking dish and bake for about 25 minutes until roughly three-quarters cooked.
- Let the chicken cool just enough to handle, then remove the bones and shred into bite-sized pieces. Set aside.
Butter Sauce
- In a large skillet, heat 1 tbsp ghee over medium-high heat.
- Add 1 cup diced red onion, 1 tsp minced ginger, and 1 tsp minced garlic.
- Cook about 4 minutes until lightly browned and softened.
- Add the 3 chopped Roma tomatoes and cook for about 5 minutes until they break down.
- Stir in 1/2 tsp garam masala, 1/2 tsp chili powder, and 1/2 tsp turmeric.
- Let this cook another 5 minutes so the spices bloom properly.
- Transfer everything to a blender and blend until smooth.
- Pour the sauce back into the pan.
- Add 1/2 cup heavy cream and 2 tbsp ghee, then bring to a gentle simmer.
- Let it reduce for about 5 minutes.
- Add the shredded chicken and simmer for another 6 minutes until fully cooked and coated.
- Season with 2 tsp salt and 2 tsp black pepper, but taste first and adjust to taste
Rice
- In a medium saucepan, heat 2 tsp olive oil over medium heat.
- Add 1 cup of rinsed basmati rice and 1 chopped onion.
- Stir for about 2 minutes until the rice looks slightly translucent around the edges.
- Add 2 cups of water and 2 tsp salt.
- Bring to a boil, then cover and reduce the heat to low. Cook for 20 minutes.
- Remove from heat and let it sit, covered, for 5 minutes. Fluff with a fork.
- Gently fold in 1/4 cup sliced apricots, 2 tbsp currants, 1/4 cup toasted almonds, and 2 tbsp chopped cilantro.
Serve
- Spoon the butter chicken over the rice or serve it alongside.
Notes
Prepared, tried, and tested by Melanie
That first spoonful hits with creamy spice and just a little sweetness from the rice you didn’t expect. It’s not a quick throw together meal, but it earns its spot once you taste it.
Butter Chicken with Bollywood Basmati Rice offers a rich, satisfying meal with layers of flavour that feel balanced and thoughtful. The creamy sauce, tender chicken, and lightly sweet rice come together in a way that makes each bite feel complete and worth the effort.
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Thanks for dropping in and checking out the recipes and what’s on offer.
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