Quick & Easy Homemade Butter Chicken Recipe

The moment you walk into a home and catch a whiff of buttery spices swirling around the kitchen, you just know something wonderful is brewing. That’s the magic of Butter Chicken, a dish that feels like a warm hug, transporting you straight to the bustling streets of India with just one spoonful. It’s not just another chicken recipe; this is a symphony of flavors, where tender chicken dances in a creamy, spiced sauce. There’s a story here—a mix of love, family dinners, and the joy of sharing. Join me as we whip up this Quick & Easy Homemade Butter Chicken, a recipe that’s as comforting as your favorite blanket.

Why cooking this recipe tonight

Now, let’s chat about why this Butter Chicken is a must-try. First off, it marries flavor with simplicity. How often do you crave something rich and delectable, yet want it on your table in under an hour? This dish screams indulgence without making you slog all day in the kitchen. The boneless chicken thighs soak up the spices like a sponge, making every bite a burst of savory bliss. Then, we pull in garlic, sweet paprika, and that pop of garam masala. Oh, and don’t get me started on the cream. It smooths everything out, creating that luscious texture that you’ll want to mop up with naan or steamed rice.

This recipe feels like a restaurant experience made approachable for your home. From its delightful aroma to its inviting colors, Butter Chicken is a crowd-pleaser—perfect for date night, family gatherings, or when you’re just craving comfort food. Trust me, your taste buds are in for a treat!

Gather these ingredients

Let’s gather our culinary toolbox for this masterpiece.

• 1 ½ pounds skinless, boneless chicken thighs: The thighs are the unsung heroes of chicken—they’re juicy and tender, making them ideal for this dish.
• 1 teaspoon salt: A pinch of salt enhances all the other flavors.
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder: For that unmistakable garlicky warmth.
• 1 teaspoon sweet paprika: Sweetness rounds out the spices and gives that beautiful color.
• ½ teaspoon curry powder: A hint of complexity that beckons the taste buds.
• 1 tablespoon Greek yogurt: This brings a delightful tanginess to balance the richness.
• 3 tablespoons vegetable oil: Helps with the sautéing, keeping things nice and light.
• 3 tablespoons butter (divided): Because butter makes everything better, right?
• 6 garlic cloves (minced): Fresh garlic is the soul of this sauce.
• 1 medium onion (diced): Sweet caramelized onions create the perfect base.
• 1 15-ounce can tomato sauce: Adds depth and a touch of acidity.
• 1 teaspoon sugar: Just a pinch to cut the acidity of the tomatoes.
• 1 teaspoon salt (adjust to taste): Always tweak to your palate.
• ½ teaspoon black pepper: A dash for warmth.
• 2 cups heavy cream: The star of the show—creamy, dreamy goodness.
• ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional for heat): Love a little spice? This is your friend.
• 1 teaspoon garam masala: The secret ingredient that elevates the dish.
• ½ teaspoon curry powder: Adding just a dash more magic.
• ¼ cup freshly chopped parsley (optional, for garnish): A pop of color and freshness on top.
• Naan bread and steamed rice: The perfect accompaniments for a satisfying meal!

Feel free to swap chicken for tofu or chickpeas for a vegetarian version, and if you’re low on time, rotisserie chicken works like a charm, too!

Preparing Quick & Easy Homemade Butter Chicken Recipe

Ready to dive into the cooking process? Here’s how to bring this delightful dish to life.

1. Marinate the Chicken: In a bowl, combine the chicken with salt, garlic powder, sweet paprika, and curry powder. Add the Greek yogurt and mix well. Cover and let it marinate for at least 30 minutes (or even overnight if you’re planning ahead). This step infuses the chicken with flavor that makes each bite sing.

2. Cook the Chicken: Heat 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the marinated chicken chunks, cooking until they’re golden and slightly crisp on the outside. This typically takes about 5-7 minutes. Remove them from the pan and set aside.

3. Prepare the Sauce Base: In the same skillet, add 3 tablespoons of butter and the remaining tablespoon of vegetable oil. Once melted, toss in the diced onion and minced garlic, cooking until fragrant and translucent. Think of this as building your flavor foundation.

4. Build the Sauce: Stir in the tomato sauce, sugar, salt, and black pepper. Let it simmer for 5 minutes—you want those ingredients to in-love, mingling and sharing their flavors.

5. Season and Simmer: Return the chicken to the skillet and pour in the heavy cream. Stir it all together. This is where the magic happens—watch as your sauce transforms into a rich, creamy dream. If you like it spicy, go ahead and add the cayenne pepper here. Let it simmer on low for about 10-15 minutes, allowing the flavors to deepen.

6. Finish with Butter: Right before serving, stir in the remaining tablespoon of butter and garam masala. This final touch is like giving your dish a soft, velvety hug.

7. Serve and Enjoy: Ladle that flaky butter chicken over steamed rice or alongside warm naan for dunking. Garnish with freshly chopped parsley to brighten things up.

Best way to enjoy it

Butter Chicken is best enjoyed family-style, heaped on a large platter with warm naan and fluffy rice on the side. Imagine inviting friends over, scooping the paste and thick sauce into your naan, and sharing laughs over a hearty meal. If you’re feeling a little fancy, consider garnishing your dish with more chopped parsley or even a drizzle of cream.

Pair it with a crisp cucumber salad or a bowl of raita to balance the spice, and don’t forget your favorite Chardonnay or a spicy ginger beer to wash it all down. Trust me, your taste buds will thank you!

Storage and reheating tips

Now, let’s chat about leftovers. If you manage to have any, this dish is a dream to store! Store your leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat gently on the stove, adding a splash of cream to keep it luscious and creamy. I wouldn’t recommend freezing it, as the cream can separate, but if you must, do so in an airtight container and consume within a month.

Pro chef tips

• For an extra layer of flavor, toast your spices in the butter before adding the tomato sauce. Just a minute or two, and it transforms the flavor profile completely!
• If you plan on making this dish often, consider investing in some good-quality garam masala. The difference is night and day!
• Want to lighten it up? You can substitute half the heavy cream with Greek yogurt for a tangy spin.

Creative Twists

Feeling adventurous? Here are some variations to play with:

• Vegetarian option: Swap the chicken for roasted cauliflower or chickpeas. Both soak up flavors beautifully!
• Tikka Masala Inspired: For a twist, add marinated and grilled chicken pieces. It gives a beautiful smoky flavor to the dish.
• Sweet and Nutty: Add a tablespoon of almond or cashew butter to the sauce for a nutty depth that’s irresistible.
• Spice Up: Experiment with adding different spices like coriander or turmeric for your own unique spin.

Ingredients list

• 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 to follow

1. Marinate the chicken with salt, garlic powder, sweet paprika, curry powder, and Greek yogurt. Cover and let it rest.
2. Heat vegetable oil in a skillet and cook the marinated chicken until golden brown. Remove and set aside.
3. In the same skillet, add butter and sauté diced onion and minced garlic until fragrant.
4. Stir in tomato sauce, sugar, salt, and black pepper. Let simmer for 5 minutes.
5. Return the chicken to the skillet and pour in the heavy cream. Stir and simmer on low for 10-15 minutes.
6. Finish with the remaining butter and garam masala, then serve hot.

Your questions answered

Here are a few answers to questions that may be swirling around in your mind:

1. Can I use chicken breast instead of thighs? Absolutely! Just be careful not to overcook it, as breasts can dry out.
2. What if I don’t have garam masala? You can make your own with a mix of cumin, coriander, cardamom, and cinnamon.
3. Can this be made dairy-free? Yes! Substitute the cream with coconut cream and use olive oil instead of butter.
4. How spicy is this dish? It can be adjusted to your liking! Omit the cayenne if you prefer it mild.
5. What sides go best with it? Alongside naan and steamed rice, any salad or raita will complete the meal beautifully.

I hope this recipe brings you as much joy as it has brought me over the years. This Butter Chicken embraces everything special about cooking: the shared laughter, the lingering scents, and the pure satisfaction of a well-fed belly. I encourage you to dive into this culinary journey, sprinkle in your own creativity, and really make it your own. And remember, sharing your cooking adventures—whether triumphs or mishaps—only adds to the joy of cooking. So, roll up your sleeves, grab your apron, and let’s get cooking!

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Quick & Easy Homemade Butter Chicken Recipe

Difficulty: Beginner Prep Time Cook Time Rest Time Total Time 80 hrs

Servings: 4 Estimated Cost: $ 15 Calories: 800

Description

Quick & Easy Homemade Butter Chicken is a creamy, spiced dish filled with tender chicken and rich flavors, perfect for family dinners or date nights.

Ingredients

Scale

1/2x 1x 2x 3x

Main Ingredients

• 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
• 3 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 3 tablespoons butter (divided)
• 6 cloves garlic (minced)
• 1 medium onion (diced)
• 1 15-ounce can tomato sauce
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
• 2 cups heavy cream
• 0.5 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional for heat)
• 1 teaspoon garam masala
• 0.5 cup freshly chopped parsley (optional, for garnish)
• as needed Naan bread (for serving)
• as needed steamed rice (for serving)

Cooking Instructions

Preparation

1. Marinate the Chicken

   In a bowl, combine the chicken with salt, garlic powder, sweet paprika, curry powder, and Greek yogurt. Cover and let it marinate for at least 30 minutes (or even overnight).
   Mark as complete

Cooking

1. Cook the Chicken

   Heat 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the marinated chicken and cook until golden, about 5-7 minutes. Remove and set aside.
   Mark as complete

2. Prepare the Sauce Base

   In the same skillet, add 3 tablespoons of butter and the remaining vegetable oil. Sauté onion and garlic until fragrant.
   Mark as complete

3. Build the Sauce

   Stir in tomato sauce, sugar, salt, and black pepper. Let simmer for 5 minutes.
   Mark as complete

4. Season and Simmer

   Add chicken back to skillet and pour in the heavy cream. Stir and simmer on low for 10-15 minutes.
   Add cayenne pepper for extra heat if desired.
   Mark as complete

5. Finish with Butter

   Stir in the remaining butter and garam masala right before serving.
   Mark as complete

6. Serve and Enjoy

   Serve over steamed rice or with naan, garnished with parsley.
   Mark as complete

Nutrition Facts

Servings 4

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Amount Per Serving

Calories 800kcal

% Daily Value *

Total Fat 54g84%

Saturated Fat 30g150%

Trans Fat 2g

Cholesterol 200mg67%

Sodium 900mg38%

Potassium 800mg23%

Total Carbohydrate 40g14%

Dietary Fiber 2g8%

Sugars 6g

Protein 45g90%

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Vitamin A 1500 IU

Vitamin C 20 mg

Calcium 200 mg

Iron 3 mg

Vitamin D 0 IU

Vitamin E 1 IU

Vitamin K 5 mcg

Thiamin 0.1 mg

Riboflavin 0.4 mg

Niacin 7 mg

Vitamin B6 0.5 mg

Folate 50 mcg

Vitamin B12 2 mcg

Biotin 0 mcg

Pantothenic Acid 1 mg

Phosphorus 400 mg

Iodine 0 mcg

Magnesium 40 mg

Zinc 4 mg

Selenium 35 mcg

Copper 0.5 mg

Manganese 0.4 mg

Chromium 0 mcg

Molybdenum 0 mcg

Chloride 0 mg

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

Keywords: Butter Chicken, Indian, Comfort Food, Quick Recipe