Quick & Easy Homemade Butter Chicken Recipe
Butter chicken is a beloved Indian dish known for its rich and creamy sauce. This recipe is a quick and easy way to whip up this delicious meal right at home. With tender pieces of chicken and a delightful blend of spices, this dish is sure to please your taste buds and impress your family and friends.
Why Make This Recipe
Making homemade butter chicken allows you to control the ingredients and adjust the flavors to your liking. It’s a simple yet flavorful recipe that doesn’t take much time to prepare. Plus, it’s perfect for a cozy dinner or when you want to treat yourself to something special. You can enjoy it with naan bread or steamed rice, making it a comforting and satisfying meal.
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:
Marinate the Chicken: In a bowl, mix chicken chunks with salt, garlic powder, sweet paprika, curry powder, and Greek yogurt. Let it marinate for at least 30 minutes.
Cook the Chicken: In a large skillet, heat vegetable oil over medium heat. Add marinated chicken pieces and cook until golden brown. Remove the chicken and set aside.
Prepare the Sauce Base: In the same skillet, add 2 tablespoons of butter, chopped onions, and minced garlic. Sauté until the onions become translucent.
Build the Sauce: Stir in the tomato sauce, sugar, salt, and black pepper. Let it simmer for a few minutes.
Season and Simmer: Add the cooked chicken back to the skillet. Pour in the heavy cream, cayenne pepper (if using), garam masala, and curry powder. Stir well and let it cook for another 10 minutes on low heat.
Finish with Butter: Add the remaining tablespoon of butter to the sauce, stirring until it’s melted and well combined.
Serve and Enjoy: Serve the butter chicken hot, garnished with fresh parsley, alongside naan bread and steamed rice.
How to Serve Quick & Easy Homemade Butter Chicken
Serve butter chicken hot, with warm naan bread on the side. It’s also great over a bed of fluffy steamed rice. You can garnish with freshly chopped parsley for an extra touch. Enjoy this comforting meal with your loved ones!
How to Store Quick & Easy Homemade Butter Chicken
If you have leftovers, you can store butter chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It will stay fresh for about 3 to 4 days. To reheat, simply warm it in a skillet over low heat until heated through.
Tips to Make Quick & Easy Homemade Butter Chicken
- To save time, you can marinate the chicken overnight.
- Adjust the spices according to your taste. If you like it spicier, add more cayenne pepper.
- For a lighter version, you can substitute heavy cream with coconut milk.
Variation
You can add vegetables like spinach or bell peppers to the dish for extra nutrition. Some people also like to use chicken breast instead of thighs for a leaner option.
FAQs
1. Can I make butter chicken in advance?
Yes, you can prepare the dish ahead of time. Just store it in the fridge and reheat it when you’re ready to serve.
2. Is butter chicken spicy?
Butter chicken is typically mild, but you can adjust the heat by adding more cayenne pepper or other spices if you prefer.
3. Can I freeze butter chicken?
Yes, butter chicken freezes well. Store it in a freezer-safe container, and it can last for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator before reheating.
Enjoy your delicious homemade butter chicken!
Homemade Butter Chicken
Ingredients
For the Chicken
- 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 Cooking
- 3 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 3 tablespoons butter (divided)
- 6 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 medium onion (diced)
For the Sauce
- 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)
Serving Suggestions
- Naan bread
- Steamed rice
Instructions
Preparation
- In a bowl, mix chicken chunks with salt, garlic powder, sweet paprika, curry powder, and Greek yogurt. Let it marinate for at least 30 minutes.
Cooking
- In a large skillet, heat vegetable oil over medium heat. Add marinated chicken pieces and cook until golden brown. Remove the chicken and set aside.
- In the same skillet, add 2 tablespoons of butter, chopped onions, and minced garlic. Sauté until the onions become translucent.
- Stir in the tomato sauce, sugar, salt, and black pepper. Let it simmer for a few minutes.
- Add the cooked chicken back to the skillet. Pour in the heavy cream, cayenne pepper (if using), garam masala, and curry powder. Stir well and let it cook for another 10 minutes on low heat.
- Add the remaining tablespoon of butter to the sauce, stirring until it’s melted and well combined.
Serving
- Serve the butter chicken hot, garnished with fresh parsley, alongside naan bread and steamed rice.
