1. Marinate the Chicken
- In a large bowl, combine the yogurt, lemon juice, garam masala, ground cumin, paprika, turmeric, salt, black pepper, cayenne pepper, garlic, and ginger. Mix well.
- Add the chicken pieces to the marinade, ensuring they are fully coated. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, or ideally overnight for maximum flavor.
2. Prepare the Coating
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, corn starch, baking powder, salt, black pepper, and paprika. This mixture will give the chicken its crispy coating.
3. Coat the Chicken
- Remove the marinated chicken from the fridge. One piece at a time, dredge each chicken piece in the flour mixture, shaking off any excess. Place the coated chicken on a baking sheet.
4. Fry the Chicken
- In a large skillet or deep pan, heat vegetable oil (or ghee) over medium-high heat. You need enough oil to cover the bottom of the pan (about 1/4 inch deep).
- Once the oil is hot, carefully add the coated chicken pieces in batches, avoiding overcrowding the pan. Fry for 5-7 minutes per side, or until golden brown and cooked through.
- Use a slotted spoon to transfer the fried chicken to a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil.
5. Make the Butter Chicken Sauce
- In the same skillet, reduce the heat to medium and add 3 tablespoons of butter. Once melted, add the chopped onion and sauté until translucent, about 5 minutes.
- Stir in the minced garlic and grated ginger, cooking for an additional 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
- Add the tomato puree, heavy cream, garam masala, and sugar. Stir well to combine and bring to a simmer. Cook for 5-7 minutes, allowing the sauce to thicken slightly. Season with salt to taste.
6. Combine the Chicken and Sauce
- Add the crispy fried chicken to the sauce, tossing gently to coat each piece thoroughly. Let it simmer for an additional 2-3 minutes to heat through.
7. Serve
- Garnish with chopped cilantro and serve hot with steamed rice or warm naan for dipping. Enjoy the crispy, creamy goodness of this delicious dish!
Tips and Variations
- Extra Crispy: For an even crispier texture, you can double-coat the chicken by dipping it back in the marinade and then again in the flour mixture.
- Spice Level: Adjust the cayenne pepper according to your heat preference. You can also add chili powder for extra spice.
- Vegetarian Option: Substitute the chicken with paneer or tofu for a vegetarian version of this recipe.
Conclusion
Crispy Butter Chicken is a delectable dish that perfectly balances crispy texture with a rich, creamy sauce. This easy recipe will surely become a family favorite and is a fantastic way to enjoy a classic Indian flavor in a new, crunchy form. Serve it up for dinner, and watch everyone come back for seconds!