Homemade Butter Chicken

Why Make This Recipe

Butter chicken is a popular Indian dish loved for its rich flavors and creamy sauce. It’s quick and easy to make at home, perfect for a weeknight dinner or a special occasion. This recipe allows you to enjoy the taste of the restaurant-style butter chicken without spending hours in the kitchen. You can impress your family and friends with this delicious meal in no time!

How to Make Quick & Easy Homemade Butter Chicken

Ingredients:

• 1 ½ pounds skinless boneless chicken thighs, cut into bite-sized chunks
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon sweet paprika
• ½ teaspoon curry powder
• 1 tablespoon Greek yogurt
• 3 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 3 tablespoons butter, divided
• 6 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 medium onion, diced
• 1 15-ounce can tomato sauce
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 1 teaspoon salt (adjust to taste)
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• 2 cups heavy cream
• ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional for heat)
• 1 teaspoon garam masala
• ½ teaspoon curry powder
• ¼ cup freshly chopped parsley (optional, for garnish)
• Naan bread
• Steamed rice

Directions:

1. In a bowl, mix the chicken with salt, garlic powder, paprika, curry powder, and Greek yogurt. Cover and refrigerate for at least 15 minutes.
2. In a large skillet, heat vegetable oil and 1 tablespoon of butter. Sauté garlic and onion until fragrant.
3. Add tomato sauce, sugar, salt, black pepper, heavy cream, cayenne pepper, garam masala, and curry powder to the skillet. Simmer for a few minutes.
4. In another pan, cook the marinated chicken until browned and cooked through.
5. Add the cooked chicken to the sauce. Stir in the remaining butter. Simmer for a few more minutes.
6. Garnish with chopped parsley and serve hot with naan bread and steamed rice.

How to Serve Quick & Easy Homemade Butter Chicken

Serve the butter chicken hot with warm naan bread for scooping and steamed rice to soak up the delicious sauce. You can also sprinkle some extra chopped parsley on top for a fresh touch. This meal is well-rounded and satisfying for any occasion.

How to Store Quick & Easy Homemade Butter Chicken

To store leftover butter chicken, let it cool completely. Place it in an airtight container and store it in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. You can also freeze it for up to 2 months. When ready to eat, thaw it overnight in the fridge and reheat gently on the stove.

Tips to Make Quick & Easy Homemade Butter Chicken

• Marinate the chicken longer for more flavor. If you can, let it sit in the fridge for a few hours or overnight.
• Add more spices if you like it spicier or if you prefer a stronger flavor.
• Experiment with other proteins like shrimp or vegetables for a different twist.
• Use low-fat cream if you want a lighter version.

Variation

You can add peas, bell peppers, or spinach to the sauce to include more vegetables. This makes the dish more colorful and nutritious.

FAQs

1. Can I use chicken breasts instead of thighs?
Yes, you can use chicken breasts, but they might be less tender than thighs. Cook them until they are fully done.

2. What if I don’t have garam masala?
If you don’t have garam masala, you can substitute with a mix of cumin, coriander, and cinnamon for a similar flavor.

3. Can I make this dish dairy-free?
To make it dairy-free, you can use coconut milk instead of heavy cream and skip the butter or use a dairy-free alternative.

Butter Chicken

A quick and easy recipe for rich and creamy Indian butter chicken that's perfect for weeknight dinners or special occasions.

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Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 30 minutes mins

Total Time 45 minutes mins

Course Dinner, Main Course

Cuisine Indian

Servings 4 servings

Calories 600 kcal

Ingredients

  

For the Chicken Marinade

• 1.5 pounds skinless boneless chicken thighs, cut into bite-sized chunks
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon sweet paprika
• 0.5 teaspoon curry powder
• 1 tablespoon Greek yogurt

For the Sauce

• 3 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 3 tablespoons butter, divided
• 6 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 medium onion, diced
• 1 15-ounce can tomato sauce
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 1 teaspoon salt (adjust to taste)
• 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
• 2 cups heavy cream
• 0.5 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional for heat)
• 1 teaspoon garam masala
• 0.5 teaspoon curry powder
• 0.25 cup freshly chopped parsley (optional, for garnish)

For Serving

• Naan bread For scooping
• Steamed rice To soak up the sauce

Instructions

 

Preparation

• In a bowl, mix the chicken with salt, garlic powder, paprika, curry powder, and Greek yogurt. Cover and refrigerate for at least 15 minutes.

Cooking

• In a large skillet, heat vegetable oil and 1 tablespoon of butter. Sauté garlic and onion until fragrant.
• Add tomato sauce, sugar, salt, black pepper, heavy cream, cayenne pepper, garam masala, and curry powder to the skillet. Simmer for a few minutes.
• In another pan, cook the marinated chicken until browned and cooked through.
• Add the cooked chicken to the sauce. Stir in the remaining butter. Simmer for a few more minutes.

Serving

• Garnish with chopped parsley and serve hot with naan bread and steamed rice.

Notes

For better flavor, marinate the chicken longer. Add more spices for extra heat or experiment with proteins like shrimp or vegetables. Use low-fat cream for a lighter version. This dish can be made with additional vegetables such as peas, bell peppers, or spinach.

Keyword Butter Chicken, Creamy Chicken Dish, Easy Butter Chicken, Quick Indian Recipe, Weeknight Dinner