One of the most popular Indian dishes, this Murgh Makhani, or Butter Chicken, is bursting with flavour. This one however, has a healthy twist! Similar to its cousin, Chicken Tikka Masala, but with a creamier sauce and still packed with flavour from a wonderful blend of spices.
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What is Murgh Makhani?
Murgh Makhani or Butter Chicken, is a dish that originated in the Indian subcontinent as recently as 1948. It is chunks of chicken in a mildly spiced tomato sauce. Makhani is a Hindi word which translates as "with butter". Sometimes this dish is called chicken makhani.
Why you will love it
- A lighter curry dish
- Mild spices so good for kids
- Easy to adapt with butter or yogurt
- Cheaper (and quicker) than ordering takeout
Ingredients needed
- Chicken - We used chicken breasts to keep this nice and lean, but you could swap it for boneless and skinless chicken thighs if you prefer. This would change the nutritional information though.
- Chopped tomatoes - Try to use the best quality tomatoes that you can, as you really will be able to taste the difference. Cheap tomatoes are really watery and you won't get the same delicious thick sauce.
- Onion - We used a standard brown onion, but you could swap it for shallots for a sweeter flavour.
- Garlic and Ginger - This is the base of any good curry. Fresh is always best, but you could save some time and use some garlic and ginger paste. If using fresh ginger, did you know you can use a teaspoon to peel it really quickly!
- Yogurt - A little low fat yogurt adds lots of creaminess to this curry, without using butter. This is our healthier version, which is why we have used yogurt.
- Cardamom, Bay leaves, Cumin seeds and cloves
- Chilli powder and Garam masala
- Fresh coriander (cilantro)
A full ingredients list with measurements is in the recipe card below.
Step by step
One: In a pestle and mortar, crush the garlic and ginger with a little oil and a pinch of rock salt.
Two: Heat some oil in a pan and add the chicken chunks. Cook until browned all over, about 5 minutes.
Three: Add the onion until cooked, about 5 minutes.
Four: Add the garlic/ginger paste and cook until golden brown, about 1 minute.
Five: Add the tomatoes, cardamom, bay leaf, cloves and cumin seeds. Cook for for 10 minutes.
Six: Add the Garam Masala and Chilli powder, cook for a further 5 minutes.
Seven: Remove from the heat and remove the cardamom, cloves and bay leaf. Very slowly add the yogurt and stir until mixed together.
Eight: Serve with rice or naan bread and sprinkle chopped coriander (cilantro) on top (optional).
Does it actually contain butter?
Although this traditional Dehli curry is usually made with butter (hence the name), swapping out the butter for low fat yogurt still gives it the same creamy taste, but with lower calories and fat. It still has all of the flavours from the herbs and spices.
If you want to keep this as an authentic Murgh Makhani, cook the chicken and onions in 1.5 tablespoons of butter instead of oil. When it comes to the step of adding the yogurt, use an extra tablespoon of butter. Using butter will considerably alter the nutritional values.
What to serve it with
Of course naan bread goes really well with a curry, so maybe try our peshwari naan. If you still want some bread, but want to save a few calories, then our Easy Homemade Flatbreads go really well too.
And obviously rice is a natural side dish for curries, so why not try our Easy Pilau Rice or Turmeric Rice?
If you want some sides to go with this curry, then why not try our easy raita or our tasty cucumber salad too?
FAQs
Traditionally, the main difference between these two curries is that butter chicken has less tomato and is creamier than chicken tikka masala. Tikka masala is a dry dish, cooked in a tandoor (a large cylindrical clay oven); butter chicken is cooked in a pan over heat.
The beauty of any homemade curry is that it can be as spicy as you want to make it. Traditionally, butter chicken is a fairly mild dish, which makes it a great introduction to curries, especially for kids. You can alter the amount of chilli powder that you put in to the curry to make it less or more spicy, depending on your own tastes.
Once you have allowed this curry to fully cool down, you can put it in the fridge in an air tight container and it will be good for up to 2 days. You can reheat it on the hob or in the microwave.
This curry freezes really well. Allow it to cool and then put it in a freezable container and it will be good in the freezer for up to 3 months. Once it is defrosted, you can reheat it on the hob or in the microwave until piping hot throughout – if the sauce is a little thick, you can thin it out with some water. Do not reheat the curry more than once.
Yes it can and we have a full recipe for a Slow Cooker Butter Chicken.
Extra tips
• For a truly authentic Murgh Makhani, once the curry has finished cooking, stir in a teaspoon of dried fenugreek leaves (sometimes called methi, or kasuri methi). Cover, and let the dish stand for 5-8 minutes.
• You can use either oil or butter to cook with and either yogurt or butter in the sauce. Or a combination of either.
• Alter the amount of chilli powder depending how hot you like your curries.
More chicken curries
If you’ve tried this butter chicken recipe, let us know how you got on in the comments below.
Tag us in your creations on Instagram @hungryhealthyhappy - Use the hashtag #hungryhealthyhappy too.
Recipe
Murgh Makhani (Butter Chicken)
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon Olive oil - for the chicken
- 300 g (10.5 oz) Chicken breast - cut into chunks
- 6 tablespoon (6 tablespoon) Low fat yogurt
- 400 g (14 oz) Chopped tomatoes - canned
- 1 (1) Onion - finely chopped
- 3 (3) Garlic clove
- 1 tablespoon (1 tablespoon) Fresh ginger - finely chopped
- 1 tablespoon (1 tablespoon) Olive oil - for the paste
- 1 pinch Sea salt
- 3 (3) Cardamom pods
- 3 (3) Cloves
- 1 tablespoon (1 tablespoon) Garam masala
- 1 teaspoon (1 teaspoon) Chilli powder
- 1 (1) Bay leaf
- 1 teaspoon (1 teaspoon) Cumin seeds
- 2 tablespoon (2 tablespoon) Fresh coriander (cilantro) - chopped
Instructions
- In a pestle and mortar, crush 3 Garlic clove and 1 tablespoon Fresh ginger with1 tablespoon Olive oil and 1 pinch Sea salt.
- Heat 1 tablespoon Olive oil in a pan and add 300 g Chicken breast. Cook until browned all over, about 5 minutes.
- Add 1 Onion until cooked, about 5 minutes.
- Add the garlic/ginger paste and cook until golden brown, about 1 minute.
- Add 400 g Chopped tomatoes, 3 Cardamom pods, 1 Bay leaf, 3 Cloves and1 teaspoon Cumin seeds. Cook for for 10 minutes.
- Add 1 tablespoon Garam masala and 1 teaspoon Chilli powder, cook for a further 5 minutes.
- Remove from the heat and remove the cardamom, cloves and bay leaf. Very slowly add 6 tablespoon Low fat yogurt and stir until mixed together.
- Serve with rice or naan bread and sprinkle 2 tablespoon Fresh coriander (cilantro) on top (optional).
Recipe tips
- For a truly authentic Murgh Makhani, once the curry has finished cooking, stir in a teaspoon of dried funugreek leaves (sometimes called methi, or kasuri methi). Cover, and let the dish stand for 5-8 minutes.
- You can use either oil or butter to cook with and either yogurt or butter in the sauce. Or a combination of either.
- Alter the amount of chilli powder depending how hot you like your curries.
Nutritional Information
The nutritional information provided is approximate and is calculated using online tools. Information can vary depending on various factors, but we have endeavoured to be as accurate as possible.
Selena
Would this work with tofu instead of chicken?
Dannii
It would!
Gabby
I have pinned this to make next week.
I just want to say that I really enjoy your recipes. I made your healthy chocolate bars last week and they were so good. I eat a lot of chocolate, but knowing this was a lot better for me really helped. I look forward to trying more of your recipes xx
Dannii
Thank you :) I am really glad you are enjoying all my recipes.
Vicky
I am going to make this, but without the chilli as I find pepper too spicy for me. But I enjoy all the other flavours.
Dannii
I also find that if something is too spicy, I add some yoghurt to cool it down.
Lucy
I have just added this to my meal plan for next week. Looking forward to trying it :)
Dannii
Enjoy!
Rachel
This looks really good Dannii. I am still holding out for your book! I have printed off all your recipes, but it would be nice to have them all together in a book instead of stuffed in to a folder :)
Dannii
It is being worked on as we speak :D
Jane
How long would you say it would keep in the fridge for as leftovers? It sounds lovely.
Dannii
A couple of days at most. But you can freeze it.
Ava
I love all the herbs and spices in this. My husband doesn't like overly spicy food though, so how spicy would you say it is?
Dannii
It is a medium spice I would say. You could add extra yoghurt to his portion to cool it down a bit.
Rach @ This Italian Family
This looks yummy!
Dannii
Thanks :)
Erin
How many people does this serve?
Dannii
It serves 2.
Louise
Thanks for the tip about freezing. Perhaps a whole post on meals that work well for batch cooking and freezing would be good?
Dannii
I have that on my list of posts to do :)
Renee
Nice recipe Dannii. Do you add any flavours to your cauliflower, like herbs or spices, or just keep it plain?
Dannii
No, I just keep it plain when it is the base for a curry. But when I have it as a side to plain chicken or something, them I will add some lemon juice and coriander.
Hayley
We always order a massive blow-out takeaway curry each week and we feel horrible after it. This recipe has come at the perfect time as my boyfriend and I decided on Friday after another blow-out that we were going to start making it ourselves instead. We are saving for a big holiday next year, so it will help us save some money and be healthier too.
Dannii
That was the biggest motivation for us to cut out takeaways, we just felt so ill after them. You will really notice the difference. Take a look at my healthy takeaway section in my recipes for more ideas.
Camilla
Do you have any suggestions on how to make a korma healthier?
Dannii
Use light coconut milk and yoghurt.
Caroline
Any healthy Asian recipes would be great, it is a favourite in our family. Any curry, noodles, spicy soups are our favourites.
Dannii
Coming up :)
Lisa Prince (@BEAUTY_IIAO)
love how these recipes always make my mouth water definietly something i would enjoy
Dannii
Thank you :D
Maria
I really like the sound of this. We usually make a curry every Friday night, but we don't venture far away from the usual curries, so I will try this next week. Thanks for the recipe.
Dannii
You're welcome. Enjoy!
Michelle Murray
Sounds yum and I love the look of cauliflower mash.
Dannii
I have added it!
Kasey
Do you have a recipe for a healthy chicken tikka masala? I love those and usually just buy the WW ready meals, but I want to try and make a healthy version myself.
Dannii
I have one coming soon, so make sure you are subscribed to the blog to see when it is posted.
Jacqui
Omg! Butter chicken is my favourite dish at our curry house. I thought it was one of those things that would always be unhealthy. I never thought to try it with yoghurt instead of butter. Thanks HHH!
Dannii
Yoghurt is always a great sub for butter.
You're welcome :)
Victoria
This sounds absolute delicious! I need to exchange the yogurt with dairy free one, other then this it’s a go! Yum! I love Indian food, but usually stay away from it, because it’s often loaded with fat.
I’ve got to your site, becaue you repinned an image on Pinterest. But I wanted to congratulate you on your wonderful and healthy weight loss and the courage it must have taken you to get started and to stick to it!
I have not quite the similar weightloss story, I neede only to loose about 30lbs and did since last spring, when I went to change my lifestyle and since then have become about 70% raw and on a weat and dairy free diet.
I write a blog like you and post many drink recipes….www.victoriainteriors.blogspot.com, read there if you like and go to the Home and Living section for a look at recipes.
I have the highest respect for your success!
Dannii
Thank you very much for the kind words :) Good luck with your own weight loss journey.