Well, you read the title. This Makhni Chicken is not the sweet Butter Chicken or Chicken Tikka Masala popular in most Indian restaurants in the West.
“Makhni” in Pakistan literally means “buttery” having been derived from the Urdu word for Butter called Makhan. But don’t be fooled. Pakistani Chicken Makhni tastes nothing like the sweet Butter Chicken you’ve probably tried in the West because it is not sweet. Makhni is a handi that is made with simple steps that involve simmering juicy chicken pieces in a tomato curry until the oil separates; it’s then finished off with heavy cream, butter and kasuri methi.
You may ask yourself, well you just take out the sugar from Butter chicken and you’re done, right? Well, not really. Chicken Makhni is different and you’ll just have to trust me on this. Since I posted this recipe on my Instagram , it has received almost half a million views. SO many of my followers have tried and loved this Chicken Makhni and so many continue to send me their recreations every single day. It really makes my day. You can follow me on @rookiewithacookie to get my recipes as soon as I create them.
TIPS
- Use Chicken Thighs because that’s the most forgiving cut of chicken. It stays moist and juicy during the entire cooking time which is needed to cook the masala. I usually don’t recommend chicken breast for my curry dishes because they tend to not be as flavorful and too often dry out. However, if you must use chicken breast, then let the masala cook till step 4 in the recipe card until the oil has separated, then add chicken and let it cook on medium for 10 mins. Follow it up with the final touches: cream, black pepper, butter and kasuri methi.
- Feel free to discard some of the oil after frying if you think it’s too much but reserve at least a 1/4 cup worth because it’s needed to cook the tomatoes and “bhoon” the masala. “Bhoon” is a cooking technique that involves frying the masala on high heat whilst continuously stirring it to evaporate the water and encouraging the oil to separate. Remember that the oil we start out with gets soaked up by the ingredients and must be released to fully cook and enhance the flavors of the dish. It’s a glossy sheen that comes to the surface after all the water has evaporated from the curry.
- I only recommend heavy cream because it not only makes the dish creamy but also adds an instant thickness. Milk and half-and half have too much water content which will only counter all the hard work we put in getting the oil to separate.
Makhni Chicken-It's NOT Butter Chicken
Ingredients
- 1/3 cup oil you can discard a bit of the oil when the chicken changes color
- 1 lb chicken thighs, cubed chicken breast is not recommend
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 2 tsp ginger garlic paste
- 3/4 tsp cumin powder
- 1/4 tsp coriander powder
- 1/8 tsp garam masala please use sparingly because this has an overpowering taste
- 1/4 tsp red chili powder
- 1/2 tsp red chili flakes
- 1/2 tsp black pepper ground
- 1/4 cup yogurt lightly beaten
- 3 tomatoes, pureed from a can of "whole peeled tomatoes
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp butter
- 1 tbsp dried fenugreek leaves kasuri methi
Instructions
- Fry chicken in oil and once color changes, add salt and ginger garlic paste.
- Add spices and fry for 3-4 minutes to completely coat the chicken, then add yogurt and mix for another two minutes.
- Puree the tomatoes and pour into the pan. Let the tomatoes come to a boil, then cook covered on medium heat for 15 minutes.
- After 15 minutes, remove the lid, and on high heat, "bhoon" the masala by continuing to stir it until the water completely evaporates and the oil separates.
- Turn the flame to medium low and add the heavy cream along with black pepper and a few green chili slit lengthwise for some more heat. Cover the pan again and low heat, let the makhni simmer for 2 to 3 minutes,
- Finally finsih off with butter and fenugreek leaves "kasuri methi" for fragrance and enjoy with naan.
This recipe is so easy to make and it tastes Amazing! I made this for a dinner and it was a major hit! Absolutely Loved it!
Insanely delicious, and easy to make!! I can’t wait to make it again, it was honestly finger licking good! ❤️
Ahh thank you for such a wonderful review!
Easily the best makhni recipe I’ve ever tried. Simple and delicious with the perfect balance of spice and cream in the sauce. Too good!
An absolutely amazing recipe which me and my husband love. We make this every other week and it has never failed us. It’s hard to stop once you have had a taste of it. I also once substituted almond milk with cream because we are trying to be more ‘healthy’ but it still tasted amazing.
oh love the substitution if it works for you guys! so glad to hear this is on your weekly menu!
This recipe is a keeper! Love the flavors. The whole family begged for more and I had to make it again within 2-3 days of making it the first time.
omg best kind of compliment:D thanks for the feedback
The best recipe I have tried from the internet till date. This is just some restaurant quality Makhni that you’ll ever make at home.
Thank you so much for your review Chithira; so happy you loved it. Your comment will inspire someone to make this Makhni!
Izza’s chicken makhani recipe is just heavenly. I cannot believe that I made it at home and it tasted like authentic Pakistani makhani!! I think it turned out so much better than the ones from restaurants.. Very simple, quick, easy to follow and beginner friendly! I plan to make this again and again. Thank you Izza!!
Thank you so much for sharing your review Pooja! I’m so happy that I could bring some restaurant flavor to your kitchen.
I’m a big time foodie and I was looking for a recipe that was filling delicious and easy at the same time. That’s when I came across this recipe and my mum loved it so much that she took the credit for it lol
And it took me minimum 30 minutes from prep to cooking it’s a must try !
haha love it! But feel free to slip my Instagram handle to your guests 😀
This was such a quick and easy dish to make, especially since we already had a majority of the ingredients. So delicious and creamy, even my husband loved it and he’s not really a fan of chicken. My 4 year old daughter thought it was the best!
Yay so so happy to hear the hubs and little one approved!
I tried this Makhni Chicken today……amazing and finger licking. I used to make butter chicken at home before but it was always a lengthy process. This chicken makhni is quick and easy and one pot dish.
Thankyou for sharing it with us.
This looks incredible! Thank you for your review and sharing a picture of your Makhni 🙂
Such a simple but such an amazing recipe! I used chicken breast and as recommended in the recipe, I added it at step 4 once the masala was ready and it was perfect, thank you Izza!
Love it! Thank you for your review:)
Delicious! It’s a weekly recipe in my house now
This recipe turns out absolutely delicious. And it’s so so easy to make! Thank you, Izza! ❤️
You’re so welcome!
Wow this dish tasted amazing. I didn’t have chicken thigh on hand so
Made it with chicken breast and was still great. The spices are mild. I loved it. I
Will try with chicken thigh next time.
Thank you for the review! I so appreciate it:)
Easy to follow recipe. Absolutely loved how it turned out. Thank you for sharing this recipe.
Really easy to follow! Simple ingredients used for a delicious turnout.
Thank you for the review!
As my 11 year old puts it “It is the best chicken dish I’ve ever had” trust me that’s a compliment!!! Thank you for sharing 😊
That’s the absolute best comment! I’m so happy you and your little one loved it
The most easiest and the yummiest buttery recipe I have ever come across!
Thank you for your review Urooba!
Tried & it WAS A HIT!
Loved everything about this recipe♥️
yay! So happy to hear you loved it.
INSANELY TASTY AND EASY TO MAKE!!
Loved it easy to make delicious to eat
Really good..ive tried with boneless thighs and a bone in full karahi cut chicken. Its a very balanced recipe mix..great job Izzi👍
You’re welcome! So happy you enjoyed the recipe.
Hi!! Thinking of making this today. For one bone-in chicken, did you double the quantities or stick to the recipe?
Same quantity works. I had several people try this with bone-in to rave reviews. Good luck!
Can we make this one without the cream?
Hi Mia, Heavy cream is one of the most important ingredients so you can’t skip that. It adds a richness and creaminess that just isn’t possible with yogurt, milk or half and half.
This was absolutely delicious!! Thank you for such a yummy recipe. Will definitely be putting this in our dinner rotation 🙂
Yay this makes me so happy.
Best
Y’all. This recipe is IT! So easy, so perfect. Everyone loved it. To top it off, I was excited to cook it and I HATE cooking.
No onions means no fuss! So glad you enjoyed cooking it!
Thank you for this super simple and super delicious recipe! Yum yum yum!
You’re so welcome! It’s one of my favorite recipes to make☺️
Can I use store bought curd instead of yogurt? I am gonna try it this weekend.
yep curd works just as well. Make sure you lightly beat it to prevent it from curdling. Good luck!
Easiest recipes always
Can’t wait to try!
Had to recreate this as soon as I saw it. Turned out just perfect! Thank you, Izza. Love all of your recipes. ❤️
Yay I’m so happy to her that you love it!
So easy and so delicious!!
Gorgeous recipe
Love how it looks and taste
Awesome recipe. Tried it today. So full of flavor and veryy easy to make.
Best makhni everrrrrrr
It was out of this world…. i mean-
Perfect balance of spice and savoury.
Thaaank you for this amazing recipe ❤❤❤
What an unbelievable and easy recipe! The only way to make makhni chicken! Thank u for sharing!
Best Makhni chicken ever! Really easy and fast to make and went down an absolute treat with all my friends and family! Thank you!
Love the recipe, so easy, really amazing
Amazing recipe….turns out super delicious!
I TRIED IN FAST AND OH MY GOD IT TURNED AMAZINGGG. THE BEST PART IS THAT ITS NOT COMPLICATED, VERY EASY AND DROOL WORTHYYYY💕💕💕
Such an easy recipe to follow. It is so delicious. Its so quick to make Im definitely cooking it again as my whole family loved it. Thanks Izza
This makhni recipe is out of this world. Perfect balance of spices and it tastes the most authentic chicken makhni served in pakistani restaurants.. in love with this recipe definitely a keeper ❤️
Such an easy recipe and delicious too. Definitely making it part of my weekly meals! Thanks Izza
Ahh so happy to hear that Hira!
Simple yet delicious recipe a great crowd pleaser for the whole family. Thank you for sharing
It was just so easy to make and absolutely delicious.
Okay so I tried this recipe with Paneer and ohhhh myyyy gawdddd was it good. So happy that your blog exists. It has made my cravings so easy to take care of lol. This recipe was beyond amazing. My fam LOVED it! They were asking for seconds so next time I will make double the amount!
That’s amazing! So happy you were able to modify this to your dietary needs!
MY HUSBAND LOVED IT🥰🤞🏻
Have been a follower and fan of your recipes since your old YouTube days. Love all of the recipes you post and this one is also definitely a keeper!
Thank you so much for supporting through the years Saira!
This was ridiculously good and so easy to make! It’s definitely going way up high on my ‘to make for people’ list! Thanks for sharing the recipe!
I was debating on cooking this, given its complexity (mind you I’m not always chiefin’ it up) but this recipe was super easily follow and it turned out absolutely amazing. A BIG THANK YOU! Love the work and the authenticity. Highly recommend!!!!!
Thank you! This means a lot Burhan 🙂