How to make Bombay Palace's Butter Chicken (Murgh Makhani)

The Bombay Palace Restaurant is famous all over the world for its Indian Cuisine. But the Palace's most popular dish is the butter chicken recipe, also known as Murgh Makhani. This classic Punjabi dish is delicious but it needs some work to make. Prepare everything a night before since the chicken should be marinated overnight. Just remember to follow the exact recipe and to not substitute ingredients if you want to make the dish exactly like the restaurant. Furthermore, the coriander leaves is a MUST.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Around 3 lbs of chicken, skinned and boned
• 3 garlic cloves (mashed)
• 1 inch piece of fresh ginger (grated)
• Juice of 1 lemon
• For the sauce:
• 2 lbs of tomatoes (seeded & pulped)
• 1 stick of butter
• 1/2 tsp salt
• Generous amount of pepper
• 6 ounces (180 ml) of heavy cream
• 1 green chili (diced)
• 2 tbsp of chopped coriander leaves for garnish

1. Prepare the chicken pieces. Buying boneless chicken will make your job easier. Rub the chicken pieces with the garlic, ginger, and lemon. If you make the garlic and ginger into a paste by adding a bit of water and blending it then rubbing the chicken pieces would be much easier. Marinate the chicken overnight or at least 10 hours.

2. Preheat the oven at least 30 minutes before using. Set the chicken in a shallow pan and roast 15 minutes on the first side and 10 minutes on the other side.

3. In a wok or heavy skillet, gently simmer the tomatoes until their liquid evaporates leaving a thick paste. This should take 5-10 minutes. Add the butter, salt and pepper. Then add the cream, chili, and finally the chicken pieces. Gently simmer for 5 minutes.

4. Transfer the chicken to a serving dish and garnish with the coriander leaves. Remember, the coriander leaves are important for this dish to be perfect. You can serve the butter chicken with rice or any Indian bread.

Tips & Warnings

• This dish may seem like a chore but it really isn't once you try it out. Furthermore, the results are worth it.

[e-Rambler]

on 5/7/2009 I'm going to try the recipe and make one. Great instructions ~ 5*s

[barbiecrafts]

on 4/29/2009 Thanks! 5 and recc...I will be the one trying to substitute with cheap ingredients! prob dried garlic and ginger, which I already have and canned tomatoes....will prob still be good! I did chicken last week with spaghetti sauce...I am going to post later...it was cheap..I just have to remember what I did!

[FrazzledNanny]

on 2/6/2009 WOW! I can't wait to make Bombay Palace's Butter Chicken. This sounds amazing. Putting in my favorites and 5*

[jacksimons]

on 1/21/2009 I have to say that I love this dish. Did not think it will come out as perfect as it did :) I will have to try this out for my family for sure!