1. Heat a large skillet or pan over medium heat and add oil. Once the oil is hot, add diced onions and sauté until they turn golden brown.

2. Add minced garlic and ginger to the pan and cook for another minute, stirring constantly.

3. Add tomato puree to the pan and cook for a few minutes until the raw smell of the tomatoes disappears. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.

4. Reduce the heat to low and add spices such as turmeric, garam masala, chili powder, and cumin powder. Mix well and cook for a minute to release the flavors.

5. Pour in a small amount of water or chicken broth to maintain a thick consistency. Stir well and let it simmer for about 5 minutes.

6. Add cooked and shredded chicken to the pan, stirring it into the sauce. Allow it to cook for a few minutes, ensuring the chicken is well coated with the sauce.

7. Pour in heavy cream or yogurt, stirring continuously to combine it with the sauce. Let it simmer for another 5 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together.

8. Add a small amount of honey or sugar to balance the flavors and enhance the sweetness. Stir well and taste the sauce to adjust the seasoning if needed.

9. Finally, add a few cubes of butter to the pan and let them melt into the sauce, giving it a rich and creamy texture.

10. Garnish the butter chicken with fresh cilantro leaves and serve hot with naan bread or steamed rice.

Note: This recipe can be customized according to personal preferences by adjusting the spices, creaminess, and sweetness.

Substitutions/Alterations for Butter Chicken (Murgh Makhani):

1. Butter:
- Substitute with ghee (clarified butter) in equal quantities.
- Alternatively, use vegetable oil or coconut oil, but the flavor will be slightly different.

2. Chicken:
- Substitute with boneless chicken thighs or breast in the same quantity as specified in the recipe.

3. Yogurt:
- Substitute with equal amounts of sour cream or Greek yogurt.
- If using Greek yogurt, consider adding a small amount of lemon juice to mimic the tanginess of regular yogurt.

4. Tomato puree:
- Substitute with an equal amount of canned crushed tomatoes or tomato sauce.
- For a fresher taste, blend fresh tomatoes until smooth and use the same quantity.

5. Heavy cream:
- Substitute with coconut cream or full-fat coconut milk in equal amounts.
- Keep in mind that the coconut flavor will be noticeable if using these alternatives.

6. Garam masala:
- Make your own garam masala substitute by combining equal parts ground cumin, coriander, cinnamon, and black pepper.
- Adjust the quantities to your taste preference.

7. Ginger-garlic paste:
- Substitute with an equal amount of finely minced or grated fresh ginger and garlic.
- Use a 1:1 ratio for the quantity required in the recipe.

8. Red chili powder:
- Substitute with cayenne pepper or paprika in equal quantities.
- Adjust the amount according to your desired level of spiciness.

9. Kasuri methi (dried fenugreek leaves):
- Substitute with an equal amount of fresh fenugreek leaves, if available.
- If fresh fenugreek leaves are not accessible, omit this ingredient or use a small amount of dried basil as a flavor enhancer.

10. Lemon juice:
- Substitute with an equal amount of lime juice or vinegar (preferably white vinegar).
- Adjust the quantity to balance the acidity according to your taste.

Remember to adjust the cooking time and temperature as needed when using alternative ingredients, as they may require different cooking techniques or durations.

- Naan bread
- Basmati rice
- Tandoori chicken
- Vegetable biryani
- Raita (yogurt sauce)
- Mango chutney
- Papadums (crispy lentil wafers)
- Aloo gobi (potato and cauliflower curry)
- Saag paneer (spinach and cheese curry)
- Lassi (yogurt-based drink)

1. Improve presentation:
- Garnish the dish with a sprinkle of chopped fresh cilantro or microgreens for a pop of color.
- Serve the butter chicken in a shallow bowl or on a stylish plate for an elegant presentation.
- Drizzle a swirl of cream or yogurt on top of the dish for a visually appealing effect.

2. Improve texture/flavor profile:
- Marinate the chicken in yogurt, lemon juice, and spices overnight for a tender and flavorful meat.
- Add a pinch of ground cinnamon or nutmeg to the sauce to enhance the depth of flavors.
- Include a small amount of honey or brown sugar to balance the tanginess of the tomatoes and create a slightly sweet note.

3. Elevate with luxurious/premium ingredients:
- Replace regular chicken with tender pieces of boneless chicken thigh or even succulent pieces of tandoori chicken for a more indulgent experience.
- Substitute regular butter with clarified butter (ghee) to add a rich and nutty flavor.
- Incorporate a splash of heavy cream or cashew cream to create a velvety and luxurious sauce.

Remember, these enhancements are meant to elevate the dish, but feel free to adapt them based on your personal preferences and dietary restrictions. Enjoy your next-level dining experience!

1. Use a leaner protein: Substitute skinless chicken breast or tofu for a healthier alternative to traditional butter chicken.

2. Reduce butter and oil: Cut back on the amount of butter and oil used in the recipe to lower the overall fat content. Use a non-stick pan to minimize the need for excessive oil.

3. Opt for low-fat dairy: Replace full-fat cream with low-fat yogurt or coconut milk to reduce the saturated fat content while still maintaining a creamy texture.

4. Increase vegetable content: Add a variety of vegetables like bell peppers, spinach, or peas to boost the nutritional value of the dish and increase fiber content.

5. Control sodium levels: Limit the amount of added salt or use low-sodium alternatives to reduce sodium intake. Choose low-sodium broth or make your own to control the sodium content.

6. Choose whole grain options: Serve butter chicken with whole grain rice or whole wheat naan to add fiber and nutrients to the meal.

7. Adjust spice levels: Customize the spice level to suit individual preferences or dietary restrictions. Reduce or eliminate chili powder or other hot spices for those with sensitive stomachs or acid reflux.

8. Pay attention to portion sizes: Serve the dish in appropriate portion sizes to ensure a balanced meal and avoid overeating.

9. Experiment with healthier cooking methods: Consider grilling or baking the chicken instead of frying to reduce the overall calorie and fat content.

10. Emphasize homemade ingredients: Make your own spice blends, sauces, and marinades to control the quality of ingredients and minimize the use of preservatives or additives.

1. Use lean cuts of chicken, such as skinless breast or thigh meat, instead of fattier cuts like drumsticks or wings.
2. Replace heavy cream with low-fat yogurt or Greek yogurt for a lighter and healthier sauce.
3. Reduce the amount of butter used by half or substitute with a healthier oil like olive oil.
4. Increase the proportion of vegetables in the dish, such as adding bell peppers, spinach, or peas, to boost nutritional value.
5. Opt for homemade spice blends instead of store-bought ones to avoid unnecessary additives and preservatives.
6. Use a tomato-based sauce made from fresh tomatoes instead of canned tomato puree for a fresher and more nutritious option.
7. Minimize the amount of sugar or honey used in the recipe to reduce overall sweetness.
8. Serve with whole grain basmati rice or whole wheat naan instead of white rice or regular naan for added fiber and nutrients.
9. Garnish with fresh herbs like cilantro or mint to add flavor without extra calories.
10. Limit the amount of salt added and enhance the taste with herbs, spices, and lemon juice instead.

1. Use pre-made spice blends: Instead of individually measuring and grinding spices, opt for pre-made butter chicken spice blends available in stores.

2. Utilize store-bought tomato puree: Save time by using canned or store-bought tomato puree instead of making it from scratch using fresh tomatoes.

3. Substitute boneless chicken: Use boneless chicken pieces instead of bone-in cuts to reduce cooking time.

4. Pre-cook chicken: Pre-cook the chicken separately before adding it to the sauce, reducing the overall cooking time.

5. Use ghee or clarified butter: Instead of simmering regular butter to make ghee, purchase pre-made ghee or clarified butter for a quicker and cheaper alternative.

6. Opt for yogurt instead of cream: Replace heavy cream with plain yogurt, which not only saves time but also reduces the cost without compromising on taste.

7. Skip marinating: While marinating the chicken adds flavor, it can be skipped to save time. Instead, season the chicken with spices directly before cooking.

8. Utilize a pressure cooker: Use a pressure cooker to speed up the cooking process, reducing the overall time required for preparing butter chicken.

9. Bulk cooking: Prepare a larger batch of butter chicken and freeze individual portions for later use, saving time and effort on multiple cooking occasions.

10. Serve with rice alternatives: Instead of traditional basmati rice, serve butter chicken with cheaper rice alternatives such as jasmine rice or even plain boiled rice to economize without compromising taste.

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