Butter Chicken Marinade

Butter Chicken Marinade

A yogurt-based marinade spiced with garam masala and ginger for tender, charred chicken.

Total 8 hr 15 min Makes 16 oz Calories 210/serving

Dietary

Keto, Wheat free, Nut free, Halal

Allergens

Dairy

This tangy, spiced yogurt marinade tenderizes chicken while infusing it with warm notes of ginger, garlic, and garam masala. It's the foundation for classic butter chicken, delivering deeply flavored, slightly charred meat once grilled or broiled. Use it to marinate chicken overnight before simmering in a tomato-butter sauce.

Ingredients

  • 1 cup plain whole-milk yogurt
  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice
  • 1 tablespoon garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated
  • 2 teaspoons garam masala
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon ground coriander
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground turmeric
  • 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
  • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
  • 2 pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs, cut into chunks

Method

  1. In a large bowl, whisk together the yogurt, lemon juice, garlic, and ginger until smooth.

  2. Add the garam masala, cumin, coriander, smoked paprika, turmeric, cayenne, salt, and vegetable oil to the yogurt mixture and whisk until evenly combined.

  3. Add the chicken thigh chunks to the marinade and turn to coat each piece thoroughly.

  4. Cover the bowl and refrigerate, marinating for at least 8 hours or up to overnight for best flavor penetration.

  5. Remove the chicken from the refrigerator and let it sit at room temperature for 15 minutes before grilling, broiling, or searing.

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    Butter Chicken Marinade

    This tangy, spiced yogurt marinade tenderizes chicken while infusing it with warm notes of ginger, garlic, and garam masala. It's the foundation for classic butter chicken, delivering deeply flavored, slightly charred meat once grilled or broiled. Use it to marinate chicken overnight before simmering in a tomato-butter sauce.

    8 hr 15 min 16 oz 210 cal

    Ingredients

    • 1 cup plain whole-milk yogurt
    • 2 tablespoons lemon juice
    • 1 tablespoon garlic, minced
    • 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated
    • 2 teaspoons garam masala
    • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
    • 1 teaspoon ground coriander
    • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
    • 1/2 teaspoon ground turmeric
    • 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
    • 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
    • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
    • 2 pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs, cut into chunks

    Method

    1. 1

      In a large bowl, whisk together the yogurt, lemon juice, garlic, and ginger until smooth.

    2. 2

      Add the garam masala, cumin, coriander, smoked paprika, turmeric, cayenne, salt, and vegetable oil to the yogurt mixture and whisk until evenly combined.

    3. 3

      Add the chicken thigh chunks to the marinade and turn to coat each piece thoroughly.

    4. 4

      Cover the bowl and refrigerate, marinating for at least 8 hours or up to overnight for best flavor penetration.

    5. 5

      Remove the chicken from the refrigerator and let it sit at room temperature for 15 minutes before grilling, broiling, or searing.