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Easy Indian Butter Chicken Recipe

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★★★★★

4.7 from 716 reviews

This Easy Indian Butter Chicken recipe offers a rich, creamy, and flavorful dish featuring tender pieces of chicken simmered in a spiced tomato-based butter sauce. Perfect for a comforting weeknight meal, it combines aromatic spices with a creamy tomato sauce for a delicious and satisfying Indian classic.

Ingredients

Scale

Butter Chicken Sauce

  • 1 cup butter, divided
  • 1 onion, minced
  • 1 tablespoon minced garlic
  • 1 (15 ounce) can tomato sauce
  • 3 cups heavy cream
  • 2 teaspoons salt
  • 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • 1 teaspoon garam masala

Chicken

  • 1 ½ pounds skinless, boneless chicken breast, cut into bite-sized chunks
  • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
  • 2 tablespoons tandoori masala

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Chicken: In a bowl, toss the bite-sized chicken pieces with the 2 tablespoons of tandoori masala to coat evenly. Set aside to marinate briefly while preparing the sauce.
  2. Sauté Onion and Garlic: In a large skillet or pan, melt half of the butter (½ cup) over medium heat. Add the minced onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until translucent and soft, about 5-7 minutes. Add the minced garlic and sauté for an additional 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
  3. Add Tomato Sauce and Spices: Pour the tomato sauce into the skillet with the onions and garlic. Stir in salt, cayenne pepper, and garam masala. Let the mixture simmer gently for about 10 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld.
  4. Cook the Chicken: In a separate pan, heat the vegetable oil over medium-high heat. Add the marinated chicken pieces and cook until they are browned on all sides and cooked through, about 6-8 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside.
  5. Combine Chicken and Sauce: Add the cooked chicken pieces to the simmering tomato sauce. Stir well to coat the chicken evenly with the sauce.
  6. Add Cream and Butter: Pour in the heavy cream and add the remaining ½ cup of butter. Stir continuously until the butter is melted and the sauce is creamy and smooth. Simmer the combined dish for an additional 5-7 minutes to thicken the sauce and deepen the flavors.
  7. Final Seasoning and Serve: Taste the butter chicken and adjust salt or spices if needed. Serve hot with basmati rice or naan bread for a complete meal.

Notes

  • You can adjust the cayenne pepper quantity for milder or spicier heat.
  • Using skinless, boneless chicken breast keeps the dish lean and tender.
  • For authentic flavor, marinate the chicken longer in tandoori masala if time allows.
  • This dish pairs perfectly with steamed basmati rice or warm naan.
  • Heavy cream can be substituted with half-and-half for a lighter option, but sauce richness will be reduced.

Keywords: Butter Chicken, Indian Butter Chicken, Easy Butter Chicken Recipe, Indian Cuisine, Chicken Curry, Creamy Chicken Curry

Find it online: https://mjrecipe.com/easy-indian-butter-chicken-recipe/