Grilled Indian-Spiced Butter Chicken

Ingredients for Grilled Indian-Spiced Butter Chicken

• 160g chopped onion (1 medium)

• 3 tablespoons finely chopped garlic

• 2 tablespoons finely chopped peeled fresh ginger

• 1 1/4 teaspoons salt

• 1 small green fresh Thai or serrano chilli, coarsely chopped, including seeds

• 1 teaspoon white distilled vinegar

• 80ml thick plain yoghurt, such as Greek yoghurt or lebneh, or drained regular yoghurt (see cooks' note, below)

• 1 1/2 tablespoons ground coriander

• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil

• 1 teaspoon ground turmeric

• 1/2 teaspoons cayenne

• 1 (3- to 3 1/2-lb) chicken, quartered, then backbone and as much skin as possible discarded

• 1 stick (110g ) unsalted butter

How to make Grilled Indian-Spiced Butter Chicken

Purée onion, garlic, ginger, salt, chilli, and vinegar to a smooth paste in a food processor. Transfer to a large wide bowl and whisk in yoghurt, coriander, oil, turmeric, and cayenne. Add chicken pieces and turn to coat thickly. Cover with plastic wrap and marinate, chilled, at least 16 hours. Let stand at room temperature 30 minutes before grilling.

Bring butter to a boil in a 1-quart heavy saucepan over moderate heat. When foam completely covers butter, reduce heat to very low. Cook butter until a very thin crust begins to form on surface and milky white solids fall to bottom of pan, about 8 minutes. Continue to cook butter, watching constantly, until solids at bottom of pan turn light brown and butter has a nutty fragrance, 8 to 16 minutes.

Remove pan from heat and let butter stand 1 minute. Pour through a sieve lined with a dampened heavy-duty paper towel or a triple layer of cheesecloth into a bowl, discarding solids.

Prepare grill for cooking over indirect heat with medium-hot charcoal (moderate heat for gas); see Grilling Procedure .

To cook chicken using a charcoal grill: Lightly oil grill rack. Put chicken (still heavily coated with marinade) on rack over area of grill with no coals underneath. Drizzle chicken with about 1 tablespoon ghee. Cook chicken over medium-high heat, turning over and drizzling with ghee every 5 minutes, until cooked through, 20 to 25 minutes.

To cook chicken using a gas grill: Lightly oil grill rack. Put chicken over shut-off burner. Cook chicken, turning over and drizzling with ghee every 5 minutes, until cooked through, about 20 to 25 minutes. (Cover grill between turns.)

Serve chicken drizzled with any remaining ghee.

Disclaimer

While every effort has been made to ensure the information is accurate and up to date, individual needs may vary and dietary requirements can differ based on personal health conditions. Always check food labels and allergen information before preparing or consuming any recipe. If you have specific health concerns, allergies, intolerances, or are following a medically prescribed diet, seek advice from your GP, pharmacist, or a registered dietitian before making significant changes to your diet or lifestyle.