Fast & Easy Butter Chicken

One of my favorite food is by far Indian! I love all of the warm spices and flavors.  I have a handful of my favorite Indian restaurants in the area, but I wanted to find a recipe for my husbands favorite, Butter Chicken, to make at home.  This recipe is extremely easy and fast which makes it a perfect weeknight dinner.  

Ingredients:

2 cups butter
2 onions, diced 
2 tablespoons minced garlic
2 (15 ounce) cans of tomato sauce
6 cups heavy cream
1 tablespoon salt
2 teaspoons cayenne pepper
2 teaspoons garam masala
3 lbs of skinless, boneless chicken breast, diced
1/4 canola oil
1/4 cup tandoori masala*


*Tandoori masala can be purchased in the spice isle or ethnic foods isle of most grocery stores.  If not, make it at home.

Tandoori Masala Spice Recipe:

1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon ginger
1 teaspoons ground cloves
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 teaspoon mace
1 1/2 tablespoons ground cumin
2 tablespoons ground coriander
1 teaspoon ground fenugreek
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground pepper
1 teaspoon ground cardamom

Mix all the ingredients together in a bowl.  Store remainder in an air tight container.

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
2.  Melt 4 tablespoons of butter in a pan. Add onion and garlic and cook slowly on medium low until the onion carmelizes.
3.While the onions and garlic cook, combine the remainder butter, tomato sauce, heavy cream, salt, cayenne pepper, and garam masala in a large saucepan.  Allow the mixture to simmer for 30 minutes, stirring periodically.  Lastly, add the onions.
4. While the sauce is simmering, evenly coat the chicken in the oil and the tandoori masala.  Spread the chicken out on a baking dish and bake for 18 minutes.
5. Add the chicken to the simmering sauce and simmer for 10 more minutes.

This dish is great over rice or can be served with Naan or Roti.

Enjoy!