Butter Chicken, or Murgh Makhani, is a celebrated dish from the Indian subcontinent, renowned for its rich and creamy tomato-based sauce. This dish was accidentally created in the 1950s at the Moti Mahal restaurant in Delhi by the chefs who mixed leftover chicken with a sauce made of tomatoes, butter, and cream. It quickly gained popularity for its delightful balance of flavors and is now a staple in Indian cuisine enjoyed worldwide.

Butter Chicken originated in the 1950s when leftover chicken was simmered with tomatoes, butter, and cream to create a flavorful dish. This innovative approach not only prevented food waste but also led to a culinary sensation that has since been embraced globally. Today, it stands as a testament to the rich tapestry of Indian cuisine, reflecting both tradition and creativity.

Ingredients:

1- 500 grams boneless chicken, cut into bite-sized pieces

2- 2 tablespoons yogurt

3- 1 teaspoon ginger paste

4- 1 teaspoon garlic paste

5- 1 teaspoon red chili powder

6- 1 teaspoon turmeric powder

7- 1 teaspoon coriander powder

8- Salt to taste

9- 2 tablespoons butter

10- 1 onion, finely chopped

11- 2 tomatoes, pureed

12- 1 teaspoon garam masala

13- 1 tablespoon kasuri methi (dried fenugreek leaves)

14- 1/2 cup heavy cream

15- Cilantro leaves for garnishing

Method:

1. In a bowl, combine the chicken, yogurt, ginger paste, garlic paste, red chili powder, turmeric powder, coriander powder, and salt. Marinate the chicken for at least 30 minutes.

2. In a pan, melt the butter and add the chopped onions. Sauté until translucent.

3. Add the pureed tomatoes and cook until the oil separates from the mixture.

4. Introduce the marinated chicken and cook for 10-12 minutes or until fully cooked.

5. Stir in garam masala and kasuri methi.

6. Pour in the heavy cream, mix well, and let it simmer for 5-7 minutes.

7. Garnish with cilantro leaves and serve hot with naan or rice.

Notes:

1- You can adjust the amount of red chili powder according to your taste preference.

2- If you don't have kasuri methi, you can skip it or use fresh fenugreek leaves.

3- You can also use bone-in chicken for this dish, but the cooking time will be longer.

Nutrition Value:

1- 500 grams boneless chicken, cut into bite-sized pieces  

- Calories: 825  

- Carbohydrates: 0g  

- Protein: 145g  

- Fat: 19g  

- Sodium: 180mg  

- Cholesterol: 430mg  

- Vitamins: B6, B12  

- Minerals: Iron, Zinc, Phosphorus  

- Nutritional benefit: Chicken is an excellent source of lean protein, vital for muscle building and repair, and is rich in essential vitamins and minerals that support immune function and metabolism.

2- 2 tablespoons yogurt  

- Calories: 23  

- Carbohydrates: 3.5g  

- Protein: 1.4g  

- Fat: 0.9g  

- Sodium: 18mg  

- Cholesterol: 4mg  

- Vitamins: B12  

- Minerals: Calcium, Potassium  

- Nutritional benefit: Yogurt is a good source of probiotics, which promote gut health, and provides calcium for strong bones.

3- 1 teaspoon ginger paste  

- Calories: 5  

- Carbohydrates: 1.1g  

- Protein: 0.1g  

- Fat: 0g  

- Sodium: 1mg  

- Cholesterol: 0mg  

- Vitamins: B6  

- Minerals: Magnesium, Manganese  

- Nutritional benefit: Ginger is known for its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, aiding digestion and reducing nausea.

4- 1 teaspoon garlic paste  

- Calories: 5  

- Carbohydrates: 1g  

- Protein: 0.2g  

- Fat: 0g  

- Sodium: 1mg  

- Cholesterol: 0mg  

- Vitamins: C  

- Minerals: Selenium  

- Nutritional benefit: Garlic is renowned for boosting the immune system and has heart-healthy benefits due to its ability to lower blood pressure and cholesterol.

5- 1 teaspoon red chili powder  

- Calories: 6  

- Carbohydrates: 1.2g  

- Protein: 0.3g  

- Fat: 0.3g  

- Sodium: 0mg  

- Cholesterol: 0mg  

- Vitamins: A, C  

- Minerals: Potassium  

- Nutritional benefit: Red chili powder boosts metabolism and provides a good source of antioxidants and vitamins that support immune health.

6- 1 teaspoon turmeric powder  

- Calories: 9  

- Carbohydrates: 1.8g  

- Protein: 0.3g  

- Fat: 0.3g  

- Sodium: 0mg  

- Cholesterol: 0mg  

- Vitamins: C  

- Minerals: Iron  

- Nutritional benefit: Turmeric contains curcumin, a powerful anti-inflammatory compound, and has antioxidant properties that benefit overall health.

7- 1 teaspoon coriander powder  

- Calories: 5  

- Carbohydrates: 1g  

- Protein: 0.3g  

- Fat: 0.1g  

- Sodium: 1mg  

- Cholesterol: 0mg  

- Vitamins: C, K  

- Minerals: Calcium, Iron  

- Nutritional benefit: Coriander is rich in antioxidants, supports digestion, and has potential cholesterol-lowering effects.

8- Salt to taste  

- Sodium: Varies  

- Nutritional benefit: Sodium helps regulate fluid balance in the body, but it's important to use in moderation to avoid high blood pressure.

9- 2 tablespoons butter  

- Calories: 204  

- Carbohydrates: 0g  

- Protein: 0.2g  

- Fat: 23g  

- Sodium: 3mg  

- Cholesterol: 61mg  

- Vitamins: A, D, E  

- Minerals: Calcium  

- Nutritional benefit: Butter provides fat-soluble vitamins such as A and D, important for eye and bone health, but should be used in moderation due to its high saturated fat content.

10- 1 onion, finely chopped  

- Calories: 44  

- Carbohydrates: 10g  

- Protein: 1.2g  

- Fat: 0.1g  

- Sodium: 4mg  

- Cholesterol: 0mg  

- Vitamins: C, B6  

- Minerals: Potassium  

- Nutritional benefit: Onions are high in antioxidants and sulfur compounds, which support heart health and the immune system.

11- 2 tomatoes, pureed  

- Calories: 44  

- Carbohydrates: 9.6g  

- Protein: 1.8g  

- Fat: 0.5g  

- Sodium: 10mg  

- Cholesterol: 0mg  

- Vitamins: A, C, K  

- Minerals: Potassium  

- Nutritional benefit: Tomatoes are a rich source of antioxidants, particularly lycopene, which supports heart health and reduces the risk of cancer.

12- 1 teaspoon garam masala  

- Calories: 8  

- Carbohydrates: 1.7g  

- Protein: 0.3g  

- Fat: 0.3g  

- Sodium: 1mg  

- Cholesterol: 0mg  

- Vitamins: B6  

- Minerals: Iron  

- Nutritional benefit: Garam masala is a blend of spices that provides antioxidants and helps improve digestion and blood circulation.

13- 1 tablespoon kasuri methi (dried fenugreek leaves)  

- Calories: 13  

- Carbohydrates: 2.6g  

- Protein: 0.9g  

- Fat: 0.3g  

- Sodium: 7mg  

- Cholesterol: 0mg  

- Vitamins: A, C  

- Minerals: Iron, Calcium  

- Nutritional benefit: Fenugreek leaves are known for their ability to aid digestion, reduce inflammation, and help regulate blood sugar levels.

14- 1/2 cup heavy cream  

- Calories: 408  

- Carbohydrates: 3.3g  

- Protein: 3g  

- Fat: 44g  

- Sodium: 42mg  

- Cholesterol: 165mg  

- Vitamins: A, D  

- Minerals: Calcium  

- Nutritional benefit: Heavy cream adds richness and provides fat-soluble vitamins, but it is high in fat and should be used sparingly to avoid excess calorie intake.

15- Cilantro leaves for garnishing  

- Calories: 1 (for a small amount used in garnishing)  

- Carbohydrates: 0.1g  

- Protein: 0.1g  

- Fat: 0g  

- Sodium: 1mg  

- Cholesterol: 0mg  

- Vitamins: A, C, K  

- Minerals: Potassium, Manganese  

- Nutritional benefit: Cilantro is packed with antioxidants, supports digestion, and provides a burst of fresh flavor with minimal calories.

This provides a complete nutritional analysis and benefits of each ingredient in the recipe.