Quick & Easy Homemade Butter Chicken Recipe
Butter chicken is a beloved dish known for its creamy texture and delicious flavors. If you crave a comforting meal that is easy to make, this recipe is perfect for you. With simple ingredients and straightforward steps, you can whip up this classic Indian dish in no time.
Why Make This Recipe
This quick and easy homemade butter chicken recipe is perfect for busy weeknights when you want something delicious without spending hours in the kitchen. It uses common ingredients and can easily be adjusted to suit your taste. Plus, it’s a crowd-pleaser that pairs well with naan bread or steamed rice, making it a great option for family dinners or gatherings with friends.
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 pan, heat vegetable oil over medium-high heat. Add the marinated chicken and cook until browned on all sides, about 5-7 minutes. Remove the chicken from the pan and set aside.
Prepare the Sauce Base: In the same pan, add 2 tablespoons of butter. Add minced garlic and diced onion, and sauté until the onion is soft and translucent.
Build the Sauce: Stir in the tomato sauce, sugar, salt, and black pepper. Let it cook for a few minutes to combine the flavors.
Season and Simmer: Return the chicken to the pan. Add heavy cream, cayenne pepper (if using), garam masala, and curry powder. Stir well and let it simmer for about 15 minutes, until the chicken is fully cooked through.
Finish with Butter: Add the remaining tablespoon of butter to the sauce and stir until melted. This gives the sauce a rich finish.
Serve and Enjoy: Garnish with freshly chopped parsley if desired. Serve hot with naan bread or steamed rice.
How to Serve Quick & Easy Homemade Butter Chicken
Serve your butter chicken warm, straight from the pan. Pair it with warm naan bread for dipping, or spoon it over a bed of steamed rice to soak up the delicious sauce. A side of salad or raita can also add a refreshing touch.
How to Store Quick & Easy Homemade Butter Chicken
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. To reheat, simply warm it on the stove over low heat, adding a splash of water or cream if necessary to loosen the sauce.
Tips to Make Quick & Easy Homemade Butter Chicken
- Letting the chicken marinate longer enhances the flavors.
- Adjust the amount of cayenne pepper based on your heat preference.
- For a thicker sauce, let it simmer longer without the lid.
Variation
You can easily make this butter chicken recipe with other proteins like shrimp or paneer for a vegetarian option. Just adjust the cooking time accordingly for different ingredients.
FAQs
1. Can I use chicken breast instead of chicken thighs?
Yes, chicken breast works fine, but it may be a bit drier. Cooking time may vary, so check that it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (75°C).
2. Is it possible to make this dish dairy-free?
Yes, you can use coconut milk instead of heavy cream and skip the butter for a dairy-free version.
3. Can I freeze butter chicken?
Absolutely! Let it cool completely, then place it in a freezer-safe container. It can be frozen for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
Butter Chicken
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 Cooking
- 3 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 3 tablespoons butter divided
- 6 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 medium onion, diced
For the Sauce
- 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
- as needed Naan bread
- as needed Steamed rice
Instructions
Marinating 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.
Cooking the Chicken
- In a large pan, heat vegetable oil over medium-high heat. Add the marinated chicken and cook until browned on all sides, about 5-7 minutes. Remove the chicken from the pan and set aside.
Preparing the Sauce Base
- In the same pan, add 2 tablespoons of butter. Add minced garlic and diced onion, and sauté until the onion is soft and translucent.
Building the Sauce
- Stir in the tomato sauce, sugar, salt, and black pepper. Let it cook for a few minutes to combine the flavors.
Seasoning and Simmering
- Return the chicken to the pan. Add heavy cream, cayenne pepper (if using), garam masala, and curry powder. Stir well and let it simmer for about 15 minutes, until the chicken is fully cooked through.
Finishing with Butter
- Add the remaining tablespoon of butter to the sauce and stir until melted. This gives the sauce a rich finish.
Serving
- Garnish with freshly chopped parsley if desired. Serve hot with naan bread or steamed rice.
