Dave's Chicken Makhani

Chicken Makhani is an Indian Butter Chicken. Dave tells me he changes the recipe every time depending on his mood, but here is the version that he used for this photo.  I can tell you that it is always good.  Play with the spices to get it the way you like it.

Chicken Makhani

Chicken Marinade:
1 Tbsp peanut oil
1 tsp garam masala
Pinch cayenne pepper

Marinade 1 pound of boneless chicken, cut to bite-size pieces, in spices and liquid for 1 hour.



Sauce:
1 Tbsp oil (peanut oil is best)
1/2 onion, chopped
2 Tbsp butter
2 Tbsp lemon juice
3 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 inch ginger root, minced
1 tsp garam masala
1 tsp chili powder
1 tsp ground cumin
1 bay leaf
1/2 cup cream
1/2 cup milk
1 cup tomato puree
1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
salt and pepper to taste
1/4 cup plain yogurt, mixed with 1 Tbsp cornstarch 

Saute onion and cook it in the oil and butter over medium heat.  Add other ingredients (except yogurt) and cook until liquid is slightly reduced, fold in yogurt & cornstarch.  Use a hand blender to blend it blend it up... be careful, it's hot! Set sauce aside.

Cook marinated chicken until done, add sauce to chicken and reheat until warm.  Serve over cooked basmati rice.