Boneless butter chicken (murg makhani)

step 1
Mix together the ingredients of the first marinade and rub over the chicken pieces. Set this aside for an hour.

Now mix together the ingredients of the second marinade and coat the chicken pieces with this as well. Set the marinated chicken aside for 3-4 hrs.

step 2
Preheat oven to 180 degree C. Place the marinated chicken pieces over a baking tray or a wire rack and grill the chicken for around 10-15 mins on each side.
Baste the chicken with some oil during the grilling process.

When the chicken is dry and cooked well remove from oven and set aside.

step 3
Heat butter (or oil) in a deep non-stick pan and add the whole spices (cloves, cinnamon and cardamom). Let them splutter and start releasing their lovely aroma. Now add the cumin seeds and let them splutter too.

step 4
To this add ginger-garlic paste and sauté till the raw smell goes off. Now add the onions and continue sautéing till the onions turn translucent.

step 5
Add on all the spice powders (chilli powder, coriander powder and garam masala) and kasuri methi and stir on for a couple of minutes. Pour in 2 tbsp of water to this to avoid the spices from getting burned.

step 6
Now add the tomato puree and tomato ketchup as well and continue stirring till the oil starts leaving the sides of the pan and the whole kitchen is filled with the intoxicating aroma of the spices.

At this point pour in the milk and stir well. Lower the flame and let the gravy boil till it reaches a thick creamy consistency (If using cream you can skip this step. Replace milk with 1 cup water and let the gravy boil. Once done add cream)

step 7
Add the prepared Tandoori chicken to this and cook for another minute or two and remove from flame.

Garnish with a blob of butter and some chopped coriander leaves before serving
Enjoy your dish with butter nan, pulav , rotis etc.