Description
Quick & Easy Homemade Butter Chicken is a rich, creamy, and aromatic Indian-inspired dish featuring tender chicken pieces simmered in a luscious tomato-based sauce infused with butter, cream, and warming spices. Ready in under 30 minutes, this comforting recipe uses simple pantry staples to deliver irresistible flavor perfect for busy weeknights or impressing guests with minimal effort.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 500g boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- Salt, to taste
- Pinch of turmeric
Sauce Base
- 3 tablespoons butter, divided
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 1 tablespoon garlic and ginger paste
- 1 cup tomato puree
Spices
- 1 teaspoon garam masala
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- ½ teaspoon turmeric powder
- 1 teaspoon chili powder (adjust to taste)
Dairy and Seasoning
- ½ cup heavy cream
- Salt, to taste
- ½ teaspoon sugar (optional)
Garnish
- Fresh cilantro, chopped, for garnish
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken: Cut the chicken into bite-sized pieces. Lightly season with salt and a pinch of turmeric to build the base flavor.
- Cook Onions and Aromatics: In a heavy skillet or pan, melt 2 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Add finely chopped onions and sauté until soft and golden. Stir in garlic and ginger paste and cook until fragrant to create the aromatic foundation of the sauce.
- Add Spices: Sprinkle garam masala, cumin, turmeric, and chili powder into the butter-onion mixture. Toast the spices for a minute or two, stirring constantly to unlock their full flavor and aroma.
- Incorporate Tomato Puree: Pour in the tomato puree, mixing well with the spiced onion base. Allow the sauce to simmer gently for 5–7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it thickens and deepens in flavor.
- Add Chicken and Cook Through: Add the chicken pieces to the sauce, stirring to coat thoroughly. Cover the pan and cook on medium-low heat for 10–12 minutes, or until the chicken is tender and fully cooked.
- Finish with Cream and Butter: Lower the heat and stir in heavy cream along with the remaining tablespoon of butter until smooth and silky. Adjust salt and add a pinch of sugar if needed to balance acidity and seasoning perfectly.
- Garnish and Serve: Sprinkle freshly chopped cilantro over the top for a fresh herbal accent. Serve immediately with your choice of sides such as basmati rice, naan, or steamed vegetables.
Notes
- Use chicken thighs for juicier, more tender meat compared to breasts.
- Don’t skip the butter as it is essential for the smooth, rich sauce.
- Simmer the dish gently on low heat to meld flavors without drying out the chicken.
- Toast spices in butter to intensify their aroma and taste.
- Add cream at the end to keep the sauce silky and prevent curdling.
- For a vegetarian version, substitute chicken with paneer or tofu cubes.
- Adjust chili powder or add fresh green chilies to customize spice level.
- Use Greek yogurt instead of cream for a lighter, low-fat alternative.
- Freeze leftovers for up to 2 months; thaw in fridge overnight before reheating gently with added cream or water.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Indian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 400 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 550 mg
- Fat: 28 g
- Saturated Fat: 16 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 8 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 110 mg
Keywords: butter chicken, quick butter chicken, easy butter chicken recipe, Indian chicken curry, creamy chicken curry
