Description
Succulent Spicy Sesame Butter Chicken delivers a flavor explosion from Indian culinary traditions. Rich, creamy sauce and tender chicken create a memorable dining experience you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 2 pounds boneless chicken breasts or thighs
Spices and Seasonings:
- 2 tablespoons garam masala
- 2 teaspoons cumin
- 1 teaspoon turmeric
- 1–2 teaspoons cayenne pepper
- 1 teaspoon chili flakes
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- Salt and black pepper
Marinade and Base Ingredients:
- 1/4 cup plain Greek yogurt
- 6 cloves garlic (chopped)
- 2 tablespoons fresh grated ginger
- 4 tablespoons salted butter
- 3 tablespoons salted butter
- 2 tablespoons cold salted butter
- 1 large yellow onion (chopped)
- 1 can (14 ounces/414 milliliters) full-fat coconut milk
- 1/2 cup tomato paste
- 2 tablespoons sesame seeds
- 1/2 cup fresh cilantro (chopped)
Serving Suggestions:
- Steamed rice
- Naan
Instructions
- Marinate chicken with yogurt, garlic, ginger, garam masala, cumin, turmeric, cayenne pepper, and salt for 5 minutes, allowing flavors to penetrate deeply.
- Heat oven to 400°F, preparing for roasting.
- Integrate chopped onions into marinated chicken mixture, then pour coconut milk and tomato paste, stirring until achieving a creamy, uniform consistency.
- Distribute butter slices across chicken surface, generously sprinkle sesame seeds for added texture and nutty flavor.
- Roast in preheated oven for 30-40 minutes, ensuring chicken reaches complete doneness and develops golden-brown edges.
- While chicken bakes, craft a spicy chili butter by melting butter with chili flakes and paprika, cooking until butter transforms to a rich, amber hue.
- Once cooked, garnish chicken with fresh cilantro for brightness and aromatic complexity.
- Present the dish over steamed rice, drizzle with prepared chili butter, and accompany with warm naan bread for a complete, tantalizing meal experience.
Notes
- Marinate chicken longer for deeper flavor infusion, up to 2 hours in the refrigerator for maximum taste penetration.
- Swap dairy yogurt with coconut or plant-based yogurt to create a dairy-free version that maintains the creamy texture.
- Use bone-in chicken thighs for juicier results and richer flavor profile compared to boneless chicken breasts.
- Adjust cayenne pepper quantity to control spice level, allowing customization for different heat tolerances without compromising the dish’s authentic taste.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Asian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 434 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 320 mg
- Fat: 31 g
- Saturated Fat: 18 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0.2 g
- Carbohydrates: 9 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 32 g
- Cholesterol: 115 mg