Butter Chicken Naan is a dish with creamy, spiced butter chicken and soft, pillowy naan bread. The rich, velvety sauce of butter chicken, with its delightful combination of spices and tomatoes, perfectly complements the warm, slightly charred naan.
Tips and Tricks for the Best Butter Chicken Naan
Use Bone-In Chicken for Richer Flavor: While boneless chicken can be used, bone-in chicken imparts a richer flavor to the dish. The slow-cooked chicken absorbs all the flavors from the spices and sauce.
Marinate the Chicken Well: A longer marination time will result in more flavorful chicken. Marinate the chicken for at least 30 minutes, but overnight marination gives it an extra layer of flavor.
Use Ghee for Authenticity: If you can, use ghee (clarified butter) instead of regular butter for a more authentic taste. It will enhance the flavor of the butter chicken sauce.
Control the Spice: You can adjust the spice level of the dish according to your preference. Add more chili powder or garam masala for a spicier version, or tone it down for a milder version.
Preheat the Oven for Naan: Ensure your oven is hot before placing the naan inside. This will help achieve that perfect golden-brown color and slightly crispy exterior.
Fresh Naan Makes a Difference: While store-bought naan can work in a pinch, homemade naan will elevate the dish to another level. Fresh naan is soft, fluffy, and has that lovely smokey flavor.
Variations of Butter Chicken Naan
Butter Chicken Naan is a versatile dish that allows for plenty of customization. Here are some variations to consider:
- Vegetarian Butter Chicken Naan: Use paneer (Indian cottage cheese) instead of chicken for a vegetarian version of butter chicken. The rich sauce pairs beautifully with the soft paneer cubes.
- Butter Chicken with Cauliflower: For a low-carb twist, try substituting chicken with cauliflower florets. This variation still gives you the creamy texture and rich flavor of the original recipe.
- Garlic Butter Chicken Naan: Add a touch of garlic to your butter chicken sauce for an extra layer of flavor. You can also sprinkle minced garlic on top of the naan before baking for a garlic-infused experience.
- Spicy Butter Chicken: For a spicier version, add extra chili powder or Kashmiri red chili to the butter chicken sauce. Pair with a cooling raita (yogurt-based side dish) to balance the heat.
How to Serve Butter Chicken Naan
Butter Chicken Naan is often served as a main course, but there are several ways you can enhance the meal to suit your tastes:
- Raita: A cool cucumber raita pairs perfectly with the richness of butter chicken and naan. The yogurt-based raita balances the heat from the spices and offers a refreshing contrast.
- Rice: While naan is the traditional bread pairing, you can also serve butter chicken with basmati rice or jeera rice (cumin rice) for an extra serving of comfort.
- Pickles and Salad: A side of tangy mango pickle or a simple salad with onions and tomatoes adds brightness and freshness to the dish.
- Additional Naan: For those who can’t get enough of naan, serve extra pieces of warm, buttery naan on the side.
How to Store Butter Chicken Naan
If you have leftovers, don’t worry—you can store them easily and enjoy the dish later.
- Butter Chicken: Store leftover butter chicken in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. The flavors will continue to deepen, making it even more delicious the next day.
- Naan: Naan is best enjoyed fresh, but if you have leftovers, you can store them in an airtight container at room temperature for 1-2 days. To reheat, simply warm the naan in the oven or on a skillet for a few minutes.
- Freezing: Both the butter chicken and naan can be frozen for longer storage. For the butter chicken, allow it to cool before transferring it to a freezer-safe container. For naan, wrap each piece in plastic wrap and place them in a freezer bag. Both can be stored for up to 3 months. Reheat in the oven or on the stovetop when ready to serve.
Recipe FAQs
1. Can I make Butter Chicken Naan ahead of time?
Yes! You can prepare both the butter chicken and naan ahead of time. Marinate the chicken the night before and cook the dish the next day. You can also prepare the naan dough in advance and let it rise, making the cooking process quicker.
2. Can I use a store-bought naan?
While homemade naan is the best option for this dish, store-bought naan can be used as a quick substitute. You can warm it up in the oven or on a skillet to achieve a soft, fluffy texture.
3. Can I make Butter Chicken Naan in a slow cooker?
Yes, you can. For a slow-cooked version, marinate the chicken overnight and cook it in a slow cooker for 4-5 hours on low. The result will be tender, flavorful chicken in a rich sauce.
4. How can I adjust the spice level of Butter Chicken?
You can adjust the spiciness by varying the amount of chili powder and garam masala. For a milder dish, reduce the chili powder and omit the cayenne pepper. For a spicier version, increase the amount of chili powder or add more green chilies to the sauce.
5. Can I make Butter Chicken Naan gluten-free?
Yes! You can substitute the naan with gluten-free naan, or you can serve the butter chicken with rice to make the dish gluten-free. Ensure the spices and sauces you use are also gluten-free.
Butter Chicken Naan (Easy)
Butter Chicken Naan is a dish with creamy, spiced butter chicken and soft, pillowy naan bread. The rich, velvety sauce of butter chicken, with its delightful combination of spices and tomatoes, perfectly complements the warm, slightly charred naan.
Ingredients
- 1 pound Chicken Breast, cut bit sized pieces
- 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated
- 2 cloves garlic
- 1 tablespoon garam masala
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 1 yellow onion, diced
- 1/4 cup butter, unsalted
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 8 ounces tomato sauce
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 2 teaspoons lemon juice
- 1/4 cup plain yogurt
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add oil, once hot, add diced onions or until translucent and stir in between for about 4 minutes.
- Add the butter. Once melted, add in ginger and garlic, cooking for 30 seconds or until fragrant.
- Add the chicken pieces and cook for about 2 minutes until no longer pink, stirring occasionally. Do not fully cook the chicken as it will cook while simmering with the sauce.
- Stir in chili powder, salt, garam masala, and black pepper. Pour in tomato sauce, lemon juice, yogurt, tomato paste, and half and half. Give it a good mix.
- Bring to a boil, reduce the heat, and simmer for 10-12 minutes until the sauce reaches desired thickness.
- Serve with naan or steamed basmati rice.
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Nutrition Information
Yield
4Serving Size
1Amount Per Serving Calories 473Total Fat 31gSaturated Fat 16gTrans Fat 1gUnsaturated Fat 12gCholesterol 161mgSodium 775mgCarbohydrates 11gFiber 2gSugar 6gProtein 39g
All Chicken Recipes.com, occasionally offers nutritional information for recipes contained on this site. This information is provided as a courtesy and is an estimate only. This information comes from online calculators. Although allchickenrecipes.com attempts to provide accurate nutritional information, these figures are only estimates.
This Butter Chicken Naan recipe is the ultimate indulgence, combining two of the most loved Indian dishes into one rich, comforting meal. Whether you make it for a special occasion or a cozy weeknight dinner, it is sure to become a favorite in your household.
