Butter Chicken

Ingredients

• •1 1/2 lb chicken thighs, cubed
• •1/2 cup plain yogurt
• •1 tbsp lemon juice
• •4 cloves garlic, minced (divided)
• •1 tbsp grated ginger (divided)
• •1 tsp turmeric
• •1 tsp Kashmiri chili powder (or paprika)
• •2 tsp garam masala (divided)
• •4 tbsp butter
• •1 onion, diced
• •1 can crushed tomatoes
• •1 cup heavy cream
• •1 tbsp kasuri methi (dried fenugreek leaves)
• •1 tsp sugar
• •Salt to taste

Steps

1. 1.Whisk together the yogurt, lemon juice, half the garlic, half the ginger, turmeric, chili powder, 1 teaspoon of the garam masala, and salt; marinate the chicken in the mixture, covered, for at least 30 minutes, ideally overnight.
2. 2.Sear the marinated chicken in a very hot pan or under the broiler until charred in spots - this mimics tandoor cooking and gives butter chicken its signature smoky edge; it doesn't need to be fully cooked through yet.
3. 3.Melt the butter and sauté the onion with the remaining garlic and ginger until softened, then stir in the remaining garam masala and crushed tomatoes.
4. 4.Simmer the tomato mixture uncovered for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until reduced and nearly dry - this concentrates the flavor before blending.