Creamy Mild Butter Chicken for the Whole Family

A creamy, mild butter chicken perfect for kids and family dinners

Butter chicken is a beloved comfort food classic, and this mild version is tailored for families with kids. It’s creamy, flavorful, and easy to prepare, making it a perfect weeknight meal that everyone will enjoy.

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup plain full-fat yoghurt
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• 1 tsp turmeric powder
• 2 tsp garam masala
• 1/4 tsp mild chili powder (reduce for very mild flavor)
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• 1 tbsp fresh ginger, grated
• 2 cloves garlic cloves, crushed
• 1.5 lb boneless chicken thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
• 2 tbsp butter or ghee
• 1 cup tomato passata (tomato puree)
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1 tbsp sugar
• 1 1/4 tsp salt
• 2 cups basmati rice (uncooked)
• fresh cilantro leaves (optional garnish)

Instructions

1. In a large bowl, mix the yoghurt, lemon juice, turmeric, garam masala, mild chili powder, cumin, grated ginger, and crushed garlic. Add the chicken pieces and stir to coat evenly. Cover and refrigerate for at least 3 hours or overnight for best flavor.
2. Cook the basmati rice according to package instructions and keep warm.
3. Heat the butter or ghee in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Remove the chicken from the marinade (do not wipe off the excess) and add the pieces to the pan. Cook for about 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the chicken turns white but not fully cooked through.
4. Pour in the tomato passata, heavy cream, sugar, salt, and any remaining marinade from the bowl. Reduce the heat to low and simmer gently for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens and the chicken is tender.
5. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Garnish with fresh cilantro leaves if desired. Serve the butter chicken alongside the cooked basmati rice.

Nutrition

This recipe works out to about 550 calories per serving. For the full breakdown, protein, carbs, and fat included, save it in the Forkful app: nutrition is calculated automatically from the ingredient list.

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