Quick & Easy Homemade Butter Chicken Recipe

If you’re looking for a comfort food that’s rich in flavor and easy to put together, look no further than this Quick & Easy Homemade Butter Chicken Recipe. This classic Indian dish combines tender chicken in a creamy tomato sauce, making it perfect for a family meal any night of the week. With simple ingredients and a straightforward cooking process, your taste buds will thank you for trying this delightful dish!

Why Make This Recipe

Butter chicken is not just a meal; it’s an experience. The creamy sauce, infused with spices, creates a warm and comforting dish that’s perfect for any occasion. Not only is it quick and easy to make, but this recipe also allows you to customize flavors to suit your taste preferences. Plus, it pairs beautifully with naan bread or steamed rice, making it a hit for dinner gatherings!

How to Make Quick & Easy Homemade Butter Chicken Recipe

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 (for serving)
Steamed rice (for serving)

Directions

Marinate the Chicken: In a bowl, combine the chicken chunks with salt, garlic powder, sweet paprika, curry powder, and Greek yogurt. Mix well and let it sit for about 20 minutes to marinate.
Cook the Chicken: Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the marinated chicken and cook until golden brown and cooked through, about 8-10 minutes. Remove chicken from the skillet and set aside.
Prepare the Sauce Base: In the same skillet, melt 1 tablespoon of butter. Add minced garlic and diced onion, sautéing until the onion is translucent.
Build the Sauce: Pour in the tomato sauce, sugar, salt, and black pepper. Stir to combine, allowing it to cook for about 5 minutes.
Season and Simmer: Lower the heat and slowly whisk in the heavy cream, garam masala, and curry powder. Add chicken back to the skillet and simmer for another 10 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together.
Finish with Butter: Stir in the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter for a richer flavor.
Serve and Enjoy: Garnish with freshly chopped parsley (if using) and serve hot with naan bread or steamed rice.

How to Serve Quick & Easy Homemade Butter Chicken Recipe

For an authentic Indian dining experience, serve your butter chicken with warm naan bread for dipping. You can also accompany it with fluffy steamed rice, allowing guests to enjoy the creamy sauce in a flavorful bowl.

How to Store Quick & Easy Homemade Butter Chicken Recipe

To keep your leftover butter chicken fresh, store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. If you want to keep it longer, consider freezing it in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. Just reheat on the stove or in the microwave before serving.

Tips to Make Quick & Easy Homemade Butter Chicken Recipe

For extra tenderness, you can use chicken breast instead of thighs, but thighs tend to stay juicier.
Feel free to adjust the heat by adding more or less cayenne pepper based on your taste preference.
If you’re short on time, you can skip the marinating step, but it does enhance the flavor!

Variations

Vegetarian Option: Substitute the chicken with tofu, chickpeas, or vegetables such as cauliflower and bell peppers for a delicious vegetarian butter "chicken."
Spicy Version: Add more cayenne pepper or even diced green chilies to intensify the heat.

FAQs

Can I use canned tomato soup instead of tomato sauce?
- While you can use canned tomato soup, it may alter the flavor of the dish. Tomato sauce is best for achieving the authentic taste of butter chicken.
Is butter chicken spicy?
- Butter chicken isn’t typically very spicy, but you can adjust the level of spice by adding cayenne pepper or other spices to suit your preference.
Can I make this dish in advance?
- Yes! Butter chicken tastes even better when made ahead of time, allowing the flavors to deepen. Just store it in the fridge until you’re ready to serve.

With this Quick & Easy Homemade Butter Chicken Recipe, you’re set to impress your family and friends with a dish that’s as simple to make as it is delicious. Enjoy!

Homemade Butter Chicken

A rich and flavorful butter chicken dish made with tender chicken chunks in a creamy tomato sauce, perfect for family meals or gatherings.

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Prep Time 20

Cook Time 25

Total Time 45

Course Dinner, Main Course

Cuisine Indian

Servings 4 servings

Calories 540 kcal

Ingredients

For the Chicken

1.5 pounds skinless, boneless chicken thighs, cut into bite-sized chunks
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon sweet paprika
0.5 teaspoon curry powder
1 tablespoon Greek yogurt for marination
3 tablespoons vegetable oil
3 tablespoons butter divided
6 cloves garlic, minced
1 medium onion, diced

For the Sauce

1 15-ounce can tomato sauce
1 teaspoon sugar
1 teaspoon salt adjust to taste
0.5 teaspoon black pepper
2 cups heavy cream
0.5 teaspoon cayenne pepper optional for heat
1 teaspoon garam masala
0.5 teaspoon curry powder
0.25 cup freshly chopped parsley optional, for garnish

For Serving

Naan bread for serving
Steamed rice for serving

Instructions

Preparation

In a bowl, combine the chicken chunks with salt, garlic powder, sweet paprika, curry powder, and Greek yogurt. Mix well and let it sit for about 20 minutes to marinate.

Cooking

Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the marinated chicken and cook until golden brown and cooked through, about 8-10 minutes. Remove chicken from the skillet and set aside.
In the same skillet, melt 1 tablespoon of butter. Add minced garlic and diced onion, sautéing until the onion is translucent.
Pour in the tomato sauce, sugar, salt, and black pepper. Stir to combine and let it cook for about 5 minutes.
Lower the heat and slowly whisk in the heavy cream, garam masala, and curry powder. Add chicken back to the skillet and simmer for another 10 minutes.
Stir in the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter for a richer flavor.

Serving

Garnish with freshly chopped parsley (if using) and serve hot with naan bread or steamed rice.

Notes

To keep your leftover butter chicken fresh, store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Freeze in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months.

Keyword Butter Chicken, Chicken Dinner, comfort food, Creamy Sauce, Easy Recipe