Butter Chicken

Untested recipe from Milk Street

1 cup plain whole-milk yogurt

2 tablespoons honey

1 tablespoon sweet paprika

½ teaspoon cayenne pepper

4 tablespoons garam masala, divided

2 tablespoons ground cumin, divided

2 tablespoons fresh ginger, grated, divided

Kosher salt and freshly cracked black pepper

2½ pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut crosswise into 3 strips

1 cup roasted salted cashews

4 tablespoons butter, cut into 2 pieces, divided

1 large yellow onion, finely chopped

6 medium garlic cloves, grated

1 (28 oz) can crushed tomatoes

¼ cup fresh cilantro, finely chopped

2 tablespoons fresh lime juice

1. In a large bowl, whisk together the yogurt, honey, paprika, cayenne, 3 tablespoons garam masala, 1 tablespoon cumin, 1 tablespoon ginger and 1 teaspoon salt. Add the chicken and stir until evenly coated. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes or for up to 1 hour.
2. Heat the broiler with a rack about 6 inches from the broiler element. Line a broiler-safe rimmed baking sheet with foil, set a wire rack in the baking sheet and mist it with cooking spray. In a blender, puree the cashews with ¾ cup water until smooth, about 1 minute; set aside.
3. In a large Dutch oven over medium, melt 2 tablespoons of butter. Add the onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until beginning to brown, about 5 minutes. Stir in the remaining 1 tablespoon ginger and the garlic, then cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Stir in the remaining 1 tablespoon garam masala and the remaining 1 tablespoon cumin. Add the cashew puree and cook, stirring constantly, until the mixture begins to brown, about 3 minutes. Stir in the tomatoes and 2 cups water, scraping up any browned bits. Add the remaining 2 tablespoons butter and bring to a simmer, stirring to combine. Reduce to medium and cook, stirring often, until the sauce is thick enough to heavily coat a spoon, 12 to14 minutes. Taste and season with salt and pepper. Remove from the heat and cover to keep warm.
4. Arrange the chicken with its marinade still clinging to it in an even layer on the prepared rack. Broil until well browned and lightly charred on both sides, 15 to 20 minutes, flipping the pieces once about halfway through. Transfer to the sauce, bring to a simmer over medium and cook, stirring occasionally, until a skewer inserted into the chicken meets no resistance, about 10 minutes. Off heat, stir in the cilantro and lime juice, then let stand for 5 minutes. Taste and season with salt and pepper.