Butter Chicken

"This isn't as disgusting as I thought it would be!" Food Critic CB

Ok so first disclaimer--butter chicken is not fried chicken smothered in butter as CB wished it was.  Instead, it is a delicious Indian chicken curry. Second disclaimer--this is Indian food for children and very easy to make so the taste is not going to be as strong as you may have at a restaurant. If you want to know how to make it just like take out, message me and I can tell you.  This recipe is for the slow cooker and yes you can make it on the stove top if you don't have a slow cooker.  However, a slow cooker is $20 at target and is an amazing tool for any busy mom. Buy one.

Next, I know many of you are going to say you don't have the ingredients. If you like Indian food you should have the following in your house:

• Tandoori Masala
• Garam Masala
• Tandoori Paste
• Curry Paste
• Curry Powder
• Cardamom Pods
• Coriander Seed

Most international food aisles will have them or you can order them online.  I buy my spices from amazon in big bags. It is cheaper, easier, and then you can just refill the containers. They last forever and trust me when I say you will love the Indian recipes on here.

From Amazon.com

Butter Chicken
4 boneless chicken thighs cut in half (thighs will be more authentic, breasts more healthy but a little dry)
**can also make with chick peas and sweet potatoes or paneer**
2 onions finely chopped if your kids hate onions (mine call them chokes) or coarsely chopped for adults and non-onion haters
4 cloves garlic minced 
2 tbsp minced ginger
2 tbsp butter

Stir fry chicken, onion, ginger, and garlic in pan on medium heat.  The chicken needs to only be a little browned not cooked thoroughly but the onion should be translucent. Strain any excess liquid and place everything into slow cooker. Then directly on top of the chicken add: 

10-15 green cardamom pods (place in cheese cloth or string together) or can use 1/2 tsp cinnamon
1 tbsp mild curry paste (use only 1 tsp if your family is very sensitive to spice. Can use hot curry paste if you like it very spicy)
2 tsp tandoori masala
1 tsp garam masala
2 tsp curry powder
1 can coconut milk (dont use the light stuff it will make it runny)
1 5.5 fl oz can of tomato paste 

*1 cup plain yogurt (best with greek yogurt)* save for the end. 
Mix gently and cook on low heat 7-8 hours.  You can cook on high heat for 5-6 hours but I always recommend cooking everything on low for two reasons 1) it is easier to leave on all day 2) it tastes better.  Mix in the 1 cup of plain yogurt right before serving and remove the cardamom pods. 

Serve over warm rice 

After it is done you can make changes if it isn't right for your family: 

• If too hot: Add 1/4 cup of yogurt at a time until desired spiciness
• If not hot enough: Add 1 tsp of cayenne powder

A few other tips about this recipe:
1. To double the recipe double all the ingredients except the following:

20 green cardamom pods

3 tsp curry powder

1.5 tbsp curry paste (like Patak’s mild curry paste**)

4 tsp tandoori masala*

2 tsp garam masala*

2 can coconut milk

1.5 cup plain yogurt

1.5  cans of tomato paste

2. This freezes great for either lunches or dinners. If you are freezing for lunches place rice in a tupperware container with one serving of chicken on top--then reheat 3-4 minutes at work. For dinner place number of servings of your family in a freezer ziplock bag (make sure to always label) or a larger tupperware contained.  It just needs to be microwaved up and served with fresh rice and yogurt.  

3. If you are like me and hate to make a vegetable too, throw some chopped up sweet potatoes in here and you are all set. Other idea is to put in some frozen peas for the last 30 minutes of cooking. I also keep baby food carrots in my house at all times. Throw two jars in here and it will make is slightly sweeter but you can barely taste it. It is a great way to get some extra veggies in for your kids. 

4. If you like the sauce very creamy, add 1/2 cup of heavy cream right before serving.  

This recipe is based on a wonderful blog called meal planning 101. I highly recommend it. http://www.mealplanning101.com/2008/09/slow-cooker-butter-chicken.html