Indulge in the rich and flavorful taste of homemade butter chicken with this quick and easy recipe. Perfect for weeknight dinners or special occasions, this dish is sure to impress your taste buds.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe?
- Bursting with delicious flavors that will tantalize your taste buds.
- Requires minimal prep time, making it perfect for busy days.
- Ideal for meal prep and can be enjoyed as leftovers.
Ingredient Notes:
For the Chicken & Marinade:
- Skinless boneless chicken thighs: Adds tenderness and flavor to the dish.
- Salt, garlic powder, sweet paprika, curry powder: Enhances the marinade with a blend of spices.
- Greek yogurt: Tenderizes the chicken and adds a creamy texture.
For the Butter Chicken Sauce:
- Vegetable oil, butter: Creates a rich and creamy base for the sauce.
- Garlic, onion: Adds depth and aroma to the dish.
- Tomato sauce, sugar, salt, black pepper: Forms the flavorful base of the sauce.
- Heavy cream: Adds richness and creaminess to the dish.
- Cayenne pepper, garam masala, curry powder: Infuses the sauce with bold Indian flavors.
- Fresh parsley: Optional for garnish.
To Serve:
- Naan bread: Perfect for dipping into the sauce.
- Steamed rice: Ideal for soaking up the flavorful sauce.
Step-by-Step Instructions:
- In a bowl, combine chicken, salt, garlic powder, paprika, curry powder, and Greek yogurt. Marinate for at least 30 minutes.
- In a pan, heat oil and butter. Add garlic and onion, then stir in tomato sauce, sugar, salt, and pepper.
- Pour in heavy cream and add cayenne pepper, garam masala, and curry powder. Simmer until thickened.
- Add marinated chicken to the sauce and cook until cooked through. Garnish with parsley.
- Serve with naan bread and steamed rice.
Helpful Tips:
- For a healthier version, use Greek yogurt instead of heavy cream.
- Adjust the spice levels by adding more or less cayenne pepper.
Expert Tips for the Best Results:
- Use boneless chicken thighs for the most tender and flavorful results.
- Allow the chicken to marinate for longer for a more intense flavor profile.
Serving Suggestions:
Pair this butter chicken with fragrant basmati rice, cucumber raita, and a refreshing mango lassi for a complete Indian meal experience.
Storage and Reheating Tips:
Store leftover butter chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave to preserve the flavors.
Frequently Asked Questions:
- Can I use chicken breast instead of thighs?
- Yes, but thighs are more flavorful and tender.
- Can I make this dish ahead of time?
- Yes, it tastes even better the next day.
- How spicy is this dish?
- You can adjust the spice level to your preference.
- Can I freeze butter chicken?
- Yes, it freezes well for up to 3 months.
Conclusion:
Treat yourself to the aromatic flavors of homemade butter chicken with this simple and delicious recipe. Give it a try and let us know how it turned out!
Print
Quick & Easy Homemade Butter Chicken Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 mins
- Cook Time: 25 mins
- Total Time: 40 mins
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main-course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Indian
- Diet: Halal
Description
This Quick & Easy Homemade Butter Chicken recipe features tender chicken marinated in a flavorful blend of spices, cooked in a rich and creamy buttery tomato sauce. Serve with naan bread or steamed rice for a satisfying meal.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
For the Chicken & Marinade
- 1 1/2 pounds skinless boneless chicken thighs, cut into bite-sized chunks
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon sweet paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon curry powder
- 1 tablespoon Greek yogurt
For the Butter Chicken Sauce
- 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
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper optional for heat
- 1 teaspoon garam masala
- 1/2 teaspoon curry powder
- 1/4 cup freshly chopped parsley optional, for garnish
To Serve
- Naan bread
- Steamed rice
Instructions
- Marinate the Chicken: In a bowl, mix chicken chunks with salt, garlic powder, sweet paprika, curry powder, and Greek yogurt. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
- Cook the Butter Chicken Sauce: In a pan, heat oil and 1 tablespoon butter. Sauté garlic and onion until translucent. Add tomato sauce, sugar, salt, black pepper, heavy cream, cayenne pepper, garam masala, and curry powder. Simmer for 10 minutes.
- Cook the Chicken: In another pan, heat remaining butter and cook marinated chicken until browned and cooked through.
- Combine Chicken and Sauce: Add cooked chicken to the sauce. Simmer for an additional 10 minutes. Garnish with parsley.
- Serve: Serve hot with naan bread or steamed rice.
Notes
- If you prefer a spicier dish, increase the amount of cayenne pepper or add chopped fresh chili.
- For a lighter version, you can substitute heavy cream with coconut cream or coconut milk.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 480 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 900 mg
- Fat: 35 g
- Saturated Fat: 20 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 16 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 150 mg