Quick & Easy Homemade Butter Chicken Recipe
This Quick & Easy Homemade Butter Chicken recipe offers a rich, creamy, and flavorful Indian-inspired dish with tender chunks of chicken thighs marinated in yogurt and spices, cooked in a luscious tomato-based butter sauce. Perfectly paired with naan bread and steamed rice, this recipe is ideal for a satisfying weeknight dinner or a special meal with loved ones.
- Prep Time: 35 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Indian-inspired
Ingredients
Scale
For the Chicken & Marinade
- 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
For the Butter Chicken Sauce
- 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)
To Serve
- Naan bread
- Steamed rice
Instructions
- Marinate the Chicken: In a large bowl, combine the chicken chunks with salt, garlic powder, sweet paprika, curry powder, and Greek yogurt. Mix well to ensure the chicken is evenly coated. Let it marinate for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to develop.
- Heat the Oil and Butter: In a large skillet or pan, heat the vegetable oil and 1 tablespoon of butter over medium heat until melted and hot.
- Sauté Garlic and Onion: Add the minced garlic and diced onion to the skillet. Cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the onions become soft and translucent and the garlic is fragrant.
- Add Tomato Sauce and Seasonings: Pour in the tomato sauce, then stir in sugar, salt, black pepper, cayenne pepper (if using), garam masala, and curry powder. Simmer this sauce for 10 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together and the sauce to thicken slightly.
- Cook the Chicken: Add the marinated chicken pieces to the skillet with the sauce. Stir to coat the chicken evenly and cook for about 10-15 minutes, until the chicken is fully cooked through and tender.
- Add Cream and Butter: Reduce the heat to low and stir in the heavy cream and remaining 2 tablespoons of butter. Simmer gently for another 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce is creamy and well combined.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove from heat, sprinkle freshly chopped parsley over the dish if desired. Serve the butter chicken hot with naan bread and steamed rice, perfect for soaking up the rich sauce.
Notes
- For extra heat, increase cayenne pepper or add chopped fresh chili.
- Use chicken thighs for juicier and more flavorful meat compared to chicken breasts.
- Greek yogurt in the marinade helps tenderize the chicken and adds tanginess.
- If you prefer a thicker sauce, simmer it a bit longer before adding cream.
- This recipe can be adapted to be gluten-free by ensuring naan bread is gluten-free or substituting with rice or gluten-free flatbreads.
Keywords: Butter Chicken, Indian Butter Chicken, Homemade Butter Chicken Recipe, Creamy Chicken Curry, Easy Indian Dinner