Restaurant-Style Butter Chicken with Phoranmasala Spices

By Deepa Shah | Stone-ground spice expert & founder of Phoran Masala

Butter chicken, or Murgh Makhani, is India's gift to the world — a creamy, aromatic dish that has won hearts globally. Today, we'll show you how to create this restaurant-quality masterpiece at home using Phoran Masala's premium spices that deliver authentic, rich flavors.

The Secret to Perfect Butter Chicken

The magic of butter chicken lies in the perfect balance of spices, the richness of tomatoes and cream, and the tender, marinated chicken. With Phoran Masala's premium spice blends, you can achieve that authentic restaurant taste in your own kitchen.

Essential Phoran Masala Spices for Butter Chicken

• Premium Garam Masala (17 Spices) — The heart of the dish, providing warmth and complexity
• Golden Turmeric (Haldi) Powder — For color and earthy flavor
• Premium Green Cardamom — Adds aromatic sweetness
• Premium Cloves — For depth and warmth

Authentic Butter Chicken Recipe

For the Chicken Marinade:

• 1 kg boneless chicken, cut into pieces
• 1 cup yogurt
• 1 tbsp Phoran Premium Garam Masala
• 1 tsp Phoran Turmeric Powder
• 1 tsp red chili powder, 1 tbsp ginger-garlic paste, salt, 2 tbsp lemon juice

For the Gravy:

• 4 large tomatoes, 2 onions, 4–5 Green Cardamom pods, 2 Cloves
• 2 tbsp Garam Masala, 1 cup heavy cream, 4 tbsp butter, 2 tbsp cashews

Method:

1. Marinate the Chicken: Mix chicken with yogurt, garam masala, turmeric, chili powder, ginger-garlic paste, salt, and lemon juice. Marinate for at least 2 hours.
2. Cook the Chicken: Grill or pan-fry the marinated chicken until cooked through. Set aside.
3. Prepare the Base: Sauté onions until golden. Add cardamom, cloves. Add tomatoes and cashews. Cook until tomatoes break down completely.
4. Make the Gravy: Blend the tomato-onion mixture until smooth. Strain for silky texture.
5. Final Cooking: Heat butter, add strained gravy, garam masala, and turmeric. Simmer 10 minutes. Add cream and cooked chicken. Simmer 5 more minutes.
6. Finish: Adjust salt and add a pinch of sugar for balance. Garnish with cream and fresh coriander.

Pro Tips for Restaurant-Quality Results

• Use Fresh Spices: Phoran Masala's premium spices are freshly ground for maximum flavor impact
• Strain the Gravy: For that silky restaurant texture
• Balance is Key: Adjust cream, salt, and sugar to achieve the perfect taste

Explore More from Phoran Masala

• Garam Masala: 17-Spice Blend for Authentic Indian Cooking
• Authentic Chicken Biryani Recipe
• Kashmiri Lal Mirch: The Royal Red Chili