The Best Homemade Butter Chicken Recipe You’ll Ever Need

Creamy, aromatic butter chicken has been a beloved staple in Indian cuisine that tantalizes taste buds with its rich, velvety sauce.

This quick and easy homemade butter chicken recipe brings the authentic flavors of traditional Indian cooking right to your kitchen.

Tender chicken pieces swim in a luxurious blend of tomatoes, cream, and warm spices that create an irresistible meal.

The secret lies in marinating the chicken to ensure maximum flavor and tenderness.

Each bite promises a symphony of spices that dance across your palate with remarkable depth and complexity.

You’ll fall in love with how simple ingredients can transform into such a magnificent dish.

Let’s unlock the magic of this restaurant-quality butter chicken that will impress everyone at your dinner table.

Why Homemade Butter Chicken Always Delivers Flavor

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What’s Needed To Make Butter Chicken Recipe

• Chicken: The main protein that provides a tender and juicy base for the dish.
• Greek Yogurt: Helps tenderize the chicken and adds a subtle tangy flavor.

• Salt, Black Pepper: Enhance the overall flavor profile of the dish.
• Garlic Powder, Curry Powder, Sweet Paprika, Garam Masala, Cayenne Pepper: Create a complex and aromatic spice blend that gives the dish its signature taste.

• Butter, Heavy Cream: Provide a rich and creamy texture to the sauce.
• Tomato Sauce, Sugar: Create a balanced sweet and tangy base for the sauce.
• Onion, Garlic: Add depth and aromatic flavors to the dish.
• Parsley: Offers a fresh garnish and subtle herbal note.

Cooking Instructions For Homemade Butter Chicken

Step 1: Create Flavor-Packed Marinade

Grab a mixing bowl and combine chicken with yogurt and a symphony of spices. Mix everything thoroughly so each chicken piece gets coated with delicious seasoning.

Let the chicken soak up those incredible flavors for about 15 minutes while you prep other ingredients.

Step 2: Sizzle and Cook Chicken

Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high temperature.

Carefully place marinated chicken pieces into the hot pan. Cook while stirring occasionally until the chicken turns golden brown and is completely cooked through.

Once done, transfer chicken to a separate plate.

Step 3: Build Aromatic Sauce Base

Lower the skillet’s heat and add a pat of butter.

• Minced garlic
• Diced onions
• Pinch of salt

Saute until onions become soft and translucent, releasing their wonderful aroma.

Step 4: Develop Rich Sauce Layers

Introduce tomato sauce and a touch of sugar to the skillet. Let the mixture simmer and develop deep flavors.

Return cooked chicken back to the pan and mix well. Pour in heavy cream, stirring until the sauce transforms into a beautiful orange color.

Step 5: Enhance with Spices

• Cayenne pepper
• Garam masala
• Curry powder
• Black pepper

Allow the sauce to gently simmer, letting all the spices mingle and create an extraordinary taste profile.

Step 6: Finish with Luxurious Butter

Add cold butter to the sauce, letting it melt and create an incredibly silky texture.

Optional: Garnish with fresh chopped parsley for a pop of color and freshness.

Step 7: Serve and Savor

Plate your butter chicken alongside warm naan bread and fluffy steamed rice.

This dish promises a restaurant-quality experience right in your own kitchen – creamy, spicy, and absolutely irresistible!

Tips and Hints For Butter Chicken Lovers

• Let chicken sit in yogurt mixture for at least 30 minutes to boost flavor absorption and tenderize meat completely.
• Adjust cayenne and curry powder to match your heat tolerance, creating a personalized taste experience.
• Use full-fat Greek yogurt and add cream slowly to maintain smooth, silky sauce consistency.
• Choose boneless, skinless thighs for juicier results compared to breast meat, ensuring rich and tender texture.
• Toast whole spices before grinding to release deeper, more complex aromatic notes in your butter chicken.

Ways To Spice Up Homemade Butter Chicken

• Vegan Butter Chicken Alternative: Replace chicken with tofu or chickpeas, swap Greek yogurt for coconut yogurt, and use plant-based cream for a completely dairy-free version.
• Low-Carb Protein Option: Substitute chicken with cauliflower or zucchini chunks, reduce sugar, and serve over cauliflower rice instead of traditional rice.
• Spicy Tandoori Remix: Increase cayenne pepper, add extra garam masala, and marinate chicken longer for a more intense flavor profile.
• Lighter Wellness Version: Use coconut milk instead of heavy cream, replace butter with olive oil, and add extra vegetables like spinach or bell peppers for increased nutrition.

Bread And Rice To Serve With Butter Chicken

• Pair Creamy Red Wine: Select a medium-bodied red wine like Grenache or Syrah that complements the rich, spicy butter chicken sauce without overpowering its delicate flavors.
• Refresh with Mango Lassi: Blend a traditional Indian yogurt drink with ripe mangoes to cool down the spiciness and provide a sweet, smooth counterpoint to the savory chicken dish.
• Complement with Crisp Cucumber Salad: Prepare a light cucumber salad with mint and lemon to add refreshing brightness and cut through the creamy sauce, balancing the meal's richness.
• Balance with Pilsner Beer: Choose a crisp, light Pilsner that helps cleanse the palate and provides a subtle hoppy contrast to the butter chicken's intense spice profile.

Butter Chicken: Best Ways to Keep It Fresh

• Store leftover butter chicken in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Keep the sauce and chicken together to maintain moisture and flavor.
• Transfer cooled butter chicken to freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags. Seal tightly and freeze for up to 2-3 months. Label with the date for easy tracking.
• Place butter chicken in a microwave-safe dish, cover with a damp paper towel to prevent drying. Heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each interval until thoroughly warmed.
• Gently reheat in a skillet over low-medium heat. Add a splash of cream or water to restore sauce consistency. Stir frequently to prevent burning and ensure even heating.

FAQs

• Is butter chicken spicy?

The spice level can be adjusted by controlling the amount of cayenne pepper and curry powder. This recipe allows you to customize the heat to your preference, making it mild or more intense based on your taste.

• Can I use chicken breasts instead of thighs?

Yes, you can use chicken breasts. However, chicken thighs are recommended because they’re more tender and flavorful. If using breasts, be careful not to overcook to maintain moisture.

• What makes the sauce creamy?

The combination of Greek yogurt in the marinade and heavy cream in the sauce creates the signature creamy texture. The cold butter added at the end also contributes to the rich, silky consistency of the sauce.

Quick & Easy Homemade Butter Chicken Recipe

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4.6 from 37 reviews

• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Creamy butter chicken brings Indian culinary magic straight to home kitchens with tender marinated chicken swimming in a luxurious tomato-based sauce. Fragrant spices and silky cream elevate this classic dish, promising a delightful meal that transports you to the heart of North Indian cuisine.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Protein:

• 1 1/2 pounds (680 grams) skinless boneless chicken thighs, cut into bite-sized chunks

Spices:

• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon sweet paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon curry powder

Binding Ingredient:

• 1 tablespoon Greek yogurt

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Instructions

1. Thoroughly blend chicken with salt, garlic powder, sweet paprika, curry powder, and Greek yogurt in a medium bowl, ensuring complete and even coating.
2. Allow chicken to marinate at room temperature for 15-20 minutes, developing deeper flavor profiles.
3. Preheat large skillet to medium-high heat with 3 tablespoons of oil, creating an ideal searing environment.
4. Carefully introduce marinated chicken, cooking 8-10 minutes while rotating periodically to achieve uniform golden-brown exterior.
5. Extract chicken from skillet, maintaining residual cooking oils for subsequent sauce preparation.
6. Reduce skillet temperature to medium, introducing 1 tablespoon butter to deglaze pan and capture caramelized remnants.
7. Incorporate minced garlic and diced onions, seasoning with pinch of salt, sautéing until onions become translucent and aromatic.
8. Introduce tomato sauce and sugar, allowing mixture to simmer 2-3 minutes for flavor melding.
9. Reintegrate cooked chicken into skillet, thoroughly combining with developing sauce.
10. Pour heavy cream, stirring until sauce transforms into vibrant orange consistency.
11. Enhance with cayenne pepper, garam masala, curry powder, and black pepper.
12. Reduce heat, allowing sauce to gently simmer 10 minutes, concentrating flavors.
13. Adjust seasoning according to personal preference.
14. Finish by incorporating remaining cold butter, creating luxuriously smooth sauce texture.
15. Optional: Garnish with fresh chopped parsley for visual appeal.
16. Serve immediately alongside warm naan bread and steamed rice, presenting restaurant-quality butter chicken in home kitchen.

Notes

• Marinate longer for deeper flavor by refrigerating chicken mixture up to 4 hours before cooking.
• Swap Greek yogurt with coconut yogurt for a dairy-free alternative that maintains creamy texture.
• Use boneless chicken thighs instead of breasts to keep the meat more tender and juicy during cooking.
• Reduce spice intensity by cutting cayenne pepper quantity or omitting entirely for mild-loving palates.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: Indian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 125 kcal
• Sugar: 0 g
• Sodium: 600 mg
• Fat: 4 g
• Saturated Fat: 1 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 2 g
• Fiber: 0.5 g
• Protein: 20 g
• Cholesterol: 70 mg