Why Make This Recipe
Butter chicken is a beloved dish known for its rich, creamy sauce and flavorful spices. Making it at home offers you the chance to customize the flavors and adjust the ingredients to suit your taste. This quick and easy recipe is perfect for busy weeknights, allowing you to enjoy a delicious meal without spending hours in the kitchen.
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:
- In a bowl, mix the chicken with salt, garlic powder, paprika, curry powder, and Greek yogurt. Cover and refrigerate for at least 15 minutes.
- In a large skillet, heat vegetable oil and 1 tablespoon of butter. Sauté garlic and onion until fragrant.
- Add tomato sauce, sugar, salt, black pepper, heavy cream, cayenne pepper, garam masala, and curry powder. Simmer for a few minutes.
- In another pan, cook the marinated chicken until browned and cooked through.
- Add the cooked chicken to the sauce. Stir in the remaining butter. Simmer for a few more minutes.
- Garnish with chopped parsley and serve hot with naan bread and steamed rice.
How to Serve Quick & Easy Homemade Butter Chicken
Serve your butter chicken hot, paired with naan bread or steamed rice to soak up the creamy sauce. For added freshness, sprinkle some chopped parsley on top before serving. This dish is perfect for a cozy dinner or when you have guests over.
How to Store Quick & Easy Homemade Butter Chicken
To store leftovers, let the butter chicken cool completely. Then, place it in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days. You can also freeze it for up to 3 months. Just make sure to thaw it overnight in the fridge before reheating.
Tips to Make Quick & Easy Homemade Butter Chicken
- Marinate Longer: For even more flavor, marinate the chicken for a few hours or overnight.
- Adjust Spices: Feel free to adjust the spices based on your heat preference. You can add more cayenne or skip it altogether.
- Use Fresh Ingredients: Fresh garlic and onion make a big difference in flavor, so try to use fresh if you can.
Variation
You can switch the chicken for paneer or tofu to make a vegetarian version. The cooking process remains the same, and you’ll get a delicious, creamy dish that everyone will enjoy!
FAQs
-
Can I use chicken breast instead of thighs?
Yes, you can use boneless chicken breasts. Just be mindful that they can dry out faster, so don’t overcook them. -
Is there a dairy-free option for the cream?
Yes, you can use coconut cream or a plant-based cream alternative to make this recipe dairy-free. -
Can I make this recipe in advance?
Yes, you can make butter chicken ahead of time. It actually tastes better the next day as the flavors meld together. Just store it in the fridge and reheat when you’re ready to enjoy!
Quick & Easy Homemade Butter Chicken
- Total Time: 45
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: Non-Vegetarian
Description
A rich and creamy butter chicken recipe, spiced to perfection, perfect for dinner on busy weeknights.
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
- 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
Instructions
- In a bowl, mix the chicken with salt, garlic powder, paprika, curry powder, and Greek yogurt. Cover and refrigerate for at least 15 minutes.
- In a large skillet, heat vegetable oil and 1 tablespoon of butter. Sauté garlic and onion until fragrant.
- Add tomato sauce, sugar, salt, black pepper, heavy cream, cayenne pepper, garam masala, and curry powder. Simmer for a few minutes.
- In another pan, cook the marinated chicken until browned and cooked through.
- Add the cooked chicken to the sauce. Stir in the remaining butter. Simmer for a few more minutes.
- Garnish with chopped parsley and serve hot with naan bread and steamed rice.
Notes
Marinate chicken longer for enhanced flavor. Adjust spices to taste and use fresh ingredients for best results.
- Prep Time: 15
- Cook Time: 30
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Indian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 500
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 36g
- Saturated Fat: 20g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 150mg