Butter Chicken (Murgh Makhani)

Name: Butter Chicken (Murgh Makhani)
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 110 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: Indian
Ingredients: 600g chicken thighs, cubed; 150g plain yogurt; 1 tbsp lemon juice; 2 tsp garam masala; 1 tsp turmeric; 1 tsp chili powder; 1 tsp cumin; Salt; 2 tbsp butter; 1 tbsp vegetable oil; 1 onion, finely diced; 4 cloves garlic, minced; 1 tbsp fresh ginger, grated; 400g canned crushed tomatoes; 200ml heavy cream; 1 tbsp sugar; 2 tsp garam masala; 1 tsp cumin; Salt to taste; 400g cooked basmati rice; Fresh cilantro; Naan bread (optional)

Rich and creamy Indian curry with tender chicken in a spiced tomato-butter sauce. Served with basmati rice or naan.

chicken dinnermedium

Jump to Instructions ↓

Pin Share Post

Prep20 min

Cook30 min

Protein38g

Calories520

Carbs42g

Fat22g

Per serving · Adjust servings below to scale ingredients

Rate this recipe

Be the first to rate this recipe

👨‍🍳Instructions

1
Mix marinade ingredients and coat chicken. Refrigerate at least 1 hour (overnight is best).
2
Cook marinated chicken in a hot pan with oil until browned on all sides. Remove and set aside.
3
In the same pan, melt butter. Sauté onion until golden (8-10 min). Add garlic and ginger, cook 1 minute.
4
Add crushed tomatoes, sugar, garam masala, and cumin. Simmer 15 minutes, then blend until smooth.
5
Return sauce to pan, stir in cream. Add chicken, simmer 10 minutes until chicken is cooked through. Garnish with cilantro.

📊Nutrition per serving

Values are per 1 serving and stay fixed regardless of the servings adjuster above — use the adjuster to scale ingredients only.

Calories520

Protein38g

Carbs42g

Fat22g

Fiber3g

💪Protein & Nutrition Breakdown

Each serving of Butter Chicken (Murgh Makhani) delivers 38g of protein at 520 calories — that's 14 calories per gram of protein, making it one of the more efficient protein sources on this site. Protein accounts for roughly 29% of total calories in this dish. The 42g of carbohydrates per serving provide energy for training, making this a well-rounded meal both pre- and post-workout. The 22g of fat primarily comes from the cooking method and protein source itself, contributing to satiety and supporting fat-soluble vitamin absorption.

🥡Meal Prep & Storage

Butter Chicken (Murgh Makhani) is a straightforward recipe that scales well for meal prep. This recipe makes 4 servings, each delivering 38g of protein and 520 calories — ideal for tracking macros across the week. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. To reheat, warm gently on the stovetop over medium-low heat or in the microwave in 90-second intervals, stirring between each, until heated through. Adding a small splash of water or broth prevents the protein from drying out during reheating. Butter Chicken (Murgh Makhani) also freezes well — portion into individual freezer-safe containers and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating. Batch cooking a double or triple portion on the weekend means you have 38g-protein meals ready throughout the week with zero daily effort.

💡 Tips & Notes

•Marinating overnight makes the chicken incredibly tender.
•Blend the sauce for restaurant-smooth consistency.
•Adjust cream for desired richness.

Variations

→Use paneer for a vegetarian version.
→Make it with lamb instead of chicken.
→Add kasuri methi (dried fenugreek) for authentic flavor.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does Butter Chicken (Murgh Makhani) keep in the fridge?

Keeps well in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days. Reheat gently — add a splash of water or broth if the sauce thickens.

Can I make this lighter or dairy-free?

Swap heavy cream for coconut cream (dairy-free) or half-and-half (lighter). The sauce will be thinner but still delicious. Greek yogurt stirred in at the end also works.

How long should I marinate — does longer mean better?

Minimum 30 minutes for noticeable flavor, 2-4 hours is ideal. Overnight works for most proteins but don't exceed 24 hours — the acid can break down the meat too much and make it mushy.

high proteinmeal prep

Recipe by

BoBo Chef

Fitness enthusiast and home cook. Every recipe is tested in a real kitchen and macro-verified before publishing.

You Might Also Like