Description
Savor rich, creamy flavors with this Quick & Easy Homemade Butter Chicken recipe—perfect for a fast, delicious dinner any night! This irresistible dish features tender chicken cooked in a velvety tomato-based sauce enriched with butter, cream, and fragrant spices. Mildly spiced and family-friendly, it is ready in under 30 minutes and pairs wonderfully with rice, naan, or vegetables for a complete, satisfying meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein
- 500g boneless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
Dairy & Fats
- 3 tablespoons butter (or coconut oil for dairy-free)
- 150ml heavy cream or coconut cream
Vegetables & Aromatics
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 1 tablespoon garlic and ginger paste
Spices & Seasonings
- 1 tablespoon garam masala
- 1 teaspoon chili powder (adjust to taste)
- Salt, to taste
- 1 teaspoon sugar
Other
- 250ml tomato puree
- Fresh cilantro, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken: Cut the chicken into bite-sized pieces. Lightly season with salt and chili powder if desired, to allow flavors to penetrate during cooking.
- Sauté the Aromatics: In a large skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the finely chopped onions and sauté until golden and soft, about 5 minutes. Stir in the garlic and ginger paste and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute.
- Cook the Spices: Add the garam masala, chili powder, and any other preferred spices to the pan. Toast briefly to release their aromatic oils, enhancing the sauce’s depth of flavor.
- Add Tomato Puree: Pour in the tomato puree and stir well. Let it simmer gently for 8-10 minutes, allowing the sauce to thicken and the flavors to meld.
- Simmer the Chicken: Add the chicken pieces to the sauce, stirring to coat thoroughly. Cover and cook for 10-12 minutes until the chicken is fully cooked and tender.
- Finish with Cream: Reduce heat to low and stir in the heavy cream. Gently simmer for another 3-5 minutes until the sauce is velvety and luscious. Adjust salt and sugar to taste.
Notes
- Prep in advance: Marinate chicken briefly in yogurt and spices for extra tenderness and flavor.
- Use fresh spices: Opt for freshly ground garam masala for the most vibrant taste.
- Control the heat: Start with less chili powder and add more later if needed.
- Don’t rush the simmer: Allowing the sauce to thicken enhances richness and consistency.
- Butter finish: Add an extra pat of butter right at the end for true restaurant-style creaminess.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Indian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 400 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 10 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg
Keywords: butter chicken, homemade butter chicken, quick butter chicken, easy butter chicken, Indian chicken recipe, creamy chicken curry
