Description
Easy Creamy Butter Chicken with Garlic Drizzle is a comforting and flavorful dish featuring tender chicken thighs simmered in a rich, velvety tomato-based cream sauce infused with aromatic spices and finished with a fragrant garlic butter drizzle. Perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or a special family meal, this recipe balances creamy textures with vibrant flavors using simple, accessible ingredients.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Marinade
- 500g boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 2 tbsp plain yogurt
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1/2 tsp salt (plus more to taste)
Sauce Base
- 3 tbsp unsalted butter, divided
- 4 garlic cloves, minced (divided into 2 tbsp for sauce, 2 tbsp for drizzle)
- 1 cup tomato puree
- 1 tsp garam masala
- 1/2 tsp ground cumin
- 1/2 tsp ground coriander
Cream and Finishing Touches
- 3/4 cup heavy cream
- 2 tbsp fresh cilantro, chopped
- 1 tbsp lemon juice (for finishing, optional)
Instructions
- Prepare and Marinate the Chicken: Cut chicken thighs into bite-sized pieces. In a bowl, combine chicken with yogurt, lemon juice, and salt. Mix well and let marinate for at least 20 minutes to tenderize and infuse flavors.
- Sauté the Aromatics: Heat 2 tablespoons of butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add half of the minced garlic and sauté gently until fragrant and golden, forming the aromatic base for the sauce and garlic drizzle.
- Cook the Chicken: Add the marinated chicken pieces to the skillet. Cook over medium heat, turning occasionally, until browned on all sides and cooked through, sealing in the juices and developing caramelized flavors.
- Build the Sauce: Stir in tomato puree, garam masala, ground cumin, and coriander. Let the mixture simmer gently, allowing the spices to bloom and the sauce to thicken and develop deep flavor.
- Add Cream and Simmer: Pour in the heavy cream, stirring to combine. Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer, carefully avoiding boiling, to create a creamy, smooth consistency that coats the chicken evenly.
- Finish with Garlic Drizzle and Cilantro: In a small pan, melt 1 tablespoon of butter and gently fry the remaining minced garlic over low heat until just golden (not brown) to avoid bitterness. Drizzle this fragrant garlic butter over the finished chicken. Sprinkle with fresh chopped cilantro and, if desired, a squeeze of lemon juice before serving.
Notes
- Don’t skip the marinade; it tenderizes the chicken and enhances flavor absorption.
- Use fresh garlic for the richest aroma and taste in the garlic drizzle.
- Simmer gently after adding the cream to prevent the sauce from curdling and keep it velvety.
- Choose unsalted butter for better control over seasoning and a cleaner flavor.
- Adjust creaminess by adding cream gradually to suit your preference without overpowering the spices.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Indian-inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 550mg
- Fat: 33g
- Saturated Fat: 18g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 8g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 110mg
Keywords: butter chicken, creamy chicken recipe, garlic drizzle, Indian-inspired chicken, easy weeknight dinner, creamy tomato sauce, garam masala chicken
