Butter chicken

For chicken and marinade:

• 2.2 lbs (1 kg) boneless, skinless chicken breast cut in 1" - 2" cubes
• 2 tbsp lemon juice
• 2 cloves garlic minced
• 1 tbsp garam masala
• 1 tsp kosher salt

For sauce:

• ¼ cup vegetable oil
• 2 ½ cups chopped onion about 2 medium-large
• 2 tbsp coarsely chopped garlic
• 2 tbsp garam masala
• 2 tsp paprika
• ¼ tsp cinnamon
• 2 tsp kosher salt or to taste
• 2 cups diced no-salt-added canned tomatoes
• ¾ cup heavy 35% or whipping cream
• 2 tbsp butter
• Chopped cilantro to garnish (optional)

Instructions

• For marinade:

  Combine all ingredients in a zip-top bag or shallow baking dish, massaging the marinade into the chicken. Let stand at room temperature while you prepare the sauce, or marinate in the fridge overnight.

For sauce:

• Heat oil over medium heat in a large saucepan or dutch oven. Add onions and slowly cook until golden, about 20 minutes, reducing heat if they are getting crispy or browning quickly.
• Add garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute. Stir in garam masala, paprika, cinnamon and salt; cook 1 minute more. Add tomatoes; cook 2 minutes, then add cream and carefully puree using an immersion blender (or standing blender, but do it in batches or the steam will blow the top off).
• Return sauce to saucepan and bring to a simmer. Remove chicken from marinade and it to the sauce (discarding remaining marinade). Cover, and simmer over medium-low heat until cooked through, about 12 minutes (remove a couple of pieces to make sure they are no longer pink inside). A gentle simmer is required to gently cook the breasts so they don't become tough, and you don't want to overcook them.
• Stir in butter, taste and add more salt to taste. Serve sprinkled with cilantro, if desired.