Looking for a delicious and satisfying meal that’s easy to make? Look no further than this homemade butter chicken recipe! Packed with flavorful spices and creamy sauce, this dish is perfect for a cozy night in or entertaining guests.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe?
- Great flavors: The combination of spices in this dish creates a rich and aromatic flavor that will have your taste buds dancing.
- Quick prep time: With simple ingredients and easy-to-follow instructions, you can have this mouthwatering meal on the table in no time.
- Perfect for meal prep: This recipe is great for meal prepping as the flavors only get better with time, making it a convenient option for busy weekdays.
Ingredient Notes:
For the Chicken & Marinade
- Skinless boneless chicken thighs: Provide a juicy and tender texture to the dish.
- Salt, garlic powder, sweet paprika, curry powder: These spices add depth and flavor to the chicken.
- Greek yogurt: Tenderizes the chicken and adds a creamy texture.
For the Butter Chicken Sauce - Vegetable oil, butter, garlic cloves, onion: Create a flavorful base for the sauce.
- Tomato sauce, sugar, salt, black pepper: Form the rich and tangy sauce.
- Heavy cream: Adds a creamy and luxurious texture to the dish.
- Cayenne pepper, garam masala, curry powder: Enhance the spice profile of the sauce.
- Fresh parsley: Optional for garnish.
To Serve - Naan bread: Perfect for scooping up the delicious sauce.
- Steamed rice: A classic pairing to soak up all the flavors.
Step-by-Step Instructions:
- In a bowl, combine the chicken thighs with salt, garlic powder, sweet paprika, curry powder, and Greek yogurt. Marinate for at least 30 minutes.
- In a large skillet, heat vegetable oil and butter. Add minced garlic and diced onion, cooking until fragrant.
- Stir in tomato sauce, sugar, salt, and black pepper. Simmer for a few minutes before adding heavy cream and spices.
- Add the marinated chicken to the sauce, cooking until the chicken is cooked through.
- Serve the butter chicken with naan bread and steamed rice. Enjoy!
Helpful Tips:
- For a healthier version, you can use chicken breast instead of thighs.
- Adjust the level of spice by adding more or less cayenne pepper.
- To make it vegetarian, substitute the chicken with paneer or tofu.
Expert Tips for the Best Results:
- For a richer flavor, let the chicken marinate overnight.
- Toast the spices in the sauce to enhance their aroma.
- Finish the dish with a dollop of butter for extra creaminess.
Serving Suggestions:
Pair this butter chicken with fluffy basmati rice, garlic naan, and a refreshing cucumber raita for a complete meal.

Storage and Reheating Tips:
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave, adding a splash of cream to revive the sauce.
Frequently Asked Questions:
- Can I freeze butter chicken? Yes, you can freeze the cooked dish for up to 3 months.
- Can I use coconut cream instead of heavy cream? Yes, coconut cream can be used as a dairy-free alternative.
- Can I make this recipe without yogurt? You can omit the yogurt, but it adds tenderness to the chicken.
Conclusion:
Now that you have the recipe for this quick and easy homemade butter chicken, it’s time to get cooking! Whether you’re a seasoned chef or a beginner in the kitchen, this dish is sure to impress. Try it out and let us know how it turns out!
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Quick & Easy Homemade Butter Chicken Recipe
- Prep Time: 30 mins
- Cook Time: 20 mins
- Total Time: 50 mins
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main-course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Indian
- Diet: Halal
Description
This Quick & Easy Homemade Butter Chicken recipe combines tender chicken in a rich, creamy sauce with a perfect blend of spices. Serve it with naan bread and steamed rice for a satisfying meal.
Ingredients
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 with salt, garlic powder, paprika, curry powder, and yogurt. Let it marinate for 30 minutes.
- Cook the Chicken: In a large skillet, heat oil, add chicken, and cook until browned. Set aside.
- Prepare the Sauce: In the same skillet, melt butter, sauté garlic and onion. Add tomato sauce, sugar, salt, pepper, cream, cayenne, garam masala, and curry powder. Simmer for 10 minutes.
- Combine Chicken and Sauce: Add cooked chicken to the sauce, simmer for another 10 minutes.
- Serve: Garnish with parsley and serve with naan bread and rice.
Notes
- You can adjust the spice level by increasing or decreasing the cayenne pepper.
- For a healthier version, you can use low-fat Greek yogurt and cream.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 10 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 35 g
- Cholesterol: 150 mg