Craving a taste of India? Indulge in the rich, creamy flavors of classic butter chicken right at home.
Tender chunks of chicken are simmered in an aromatic sauce infused with warm spices like garam masala, cumin, and a hint of chili.
This recipe is quick and easy, making it accessible for even the busiest of home cooks.
While it tastes like it took hours, this dish comes together in about 30 minutes. It’s perfect for a cozy night in or impressing dinner guests!
Why You’ll Love This Indian Butter Chicken
Irresistible Taste: This butter chicken boasts a rich, creamy tomato-based sauce infused with aromatic Indian spices. The flavor is irresistible.
Simple Preparation: It takes just a few easy-to-follow steps and ingredients you likely already have in your pantry. This recipe makes preparing authentic butter chicken at home a breeze, even for novice cooks.
Crowd-Pleaser: This classic Indian dish is a crowd-favorite, appealing to a wide range of palates with its mild yet flavorful sauce.
Authentic Experience: Enjoy the authentic flavors and aromas of Indian cuisine without visiting a restaurant.
Ingredients
- Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breasts: The star of the dish. Tender, lean chunks of chicken soak up the rich, creamy sauce.
- Vegetable Oil: Just a splash to get the party started. It helps cook the aromatics and brown the chicken.
- Butter: It adds richness and depth to the sauce. It’s called “butter chicken” for a reason!
- Onion, Ginger, Garlic: The flavorful trio. These aromatics provide the savory base for the entire dish.
- Tomato Paste: It adds sweetness, acidity, and a beautiful red hue to the sauce.
- Garam Masala, Chili Powder, Cumin: This powerful blend gives butter chicken its signature Indian flavor.
- Salt and Black Pepper: The dynamic duo enhances all the other flavors and adds a subtle kick of heat.
- Heavy Cream: The velvety smooth finisher transforms the sauce into something truly luxurious and indulgent.
How to Make Indian Butter Chicken
You won’t believe how easy this chicken is to make.
1. Sauté the aromatics. Heat the oil and butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the onions and cook until lightly golden, about 3-4 minutes. Stir in the ginger and garlic and cook for 30 seconds.
2. Cook the chicken. Add the chicken, tomato paste, garam masala, chili powder, cumin, salt and pepper. Cook for 5-6 minutes until the chicken is cooked through.
3. Finish the sauce. Pour in the heavy cream and simmer for 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce has thickened.
4. Serve. Serve the butter chicken over basmati rice or with naan bread. Enjoy!
Tips for the Best Indian Butter Chicken
Follow these tips for a flavorful and authentic experience.
- Let it marinate. Marinate the pieces in yogurt mixed with garam masala, cumin, chili powder, ginger, garlic, and salt for tender and flavorful chicken. Marinate for at least 30 minutes or up to overnight before cooking.
- Make it smoky. To add some smoky tandoori flavor, grill or broil the marinated chicken pieces before adding them to the sauce.
- Butter makes everything better. Using butter (or ghee) to sauté the onions and cook the sauce will make the dish richer and more flavorful than just using oil.
- Spice it up. Adding a cinnamon stick, some cardamom pods, and a bay leaf to the sauce enhances the warm, spiced notes of the dish. You can fish them out before serving.
- Make it saucy. The hallmark of good butter chicken is a thick, creamy sauce. Let it simmer until it reaches your desired consistency. If it gets too thick, add a splash of water or chicken broth.
- Go vegetarian. You can make a vegetarian version by substituting paneer (Indian cheese cubes), tofu, chickpeas, or vegetables for the chicken.
- Make it a meal. Butter chicken is delicious served with steamed basmati rice, naan bread, roti, or paratha. A cooling raita or cucumber salad makes a great accompaniment.
How to Store
Keep your leftovers nice and fresh with this advice.
To Store: Transfer cooled butter chicken to an air-tight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Keep the butter chicken separate from any rice or naan.
To Freeze: Place cooled butter chicken in a freezer-safe container or resealable freezer bag and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
To Reheat: Gently rewarm the butter chicken in a skillet over medium-low heat until heated through, stirring occasionally. You can also reheat individual portions in the microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring between each interval, until warmed through.
Indian Butter Chicken
4
servings10
minutes20
minutes459
kcalThis Indian butter chicken is authentic yet so easy to make at home! Enjoy all of the classic flavors without ordering takeout!
Ingredients
1 ½ pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into chunks
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1 tablespoon butter
1 medium onion, diced
1 teaspoon ginger, minced
2-3 cloves garlic, minced
4 tablespoons tomato paste
1 tablespoon garam masala
1 teaspoon chili powder
1 teaspoon cumin
1 tsp salt
1/4 tsp black pepper
1 cup heavy cream
Instructions
- Heat the oil and butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the onions and cook until lightly golden, about 3-4 minutes. Stir in ginger and garlic and cook for 30 seconds.
- Add the chicken, tomato paste, garam masala, chili powder, cumin, salt and pepper. Cook for 5-6 minutes until the chicken is cooked through.
- Pour in the heavy cream and simmer for 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce has thickened.
- Serve the butter chicken over basmati rice or with naan bread. Enjoy!
Difficulty with printing a copy of the recipe. Help!
Hi Karen!
If you scroll to the recipe card at the bottom of the post, you’ll see a PRINT button on bottom right corner of the image, just above where the prep/cook times are 🙂