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A vibrant plate of homemade butter chicken garnished with fresh cilantro, served alongside steamed rice and naan bread.

Easy Homemade Butter Chicken: Your New Favorite Indian Dish

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Discover the rich and creamy flavors of homemade butter chicken with this easy Indian recipe. Tender chicken simmered in a luscious tomato-based sauce infused with aromatic spices, perfect for a comforting dinner that everyone will love. Perfect for spice lovers and fans of Indian cuisine looking for a quick and authentic dish to impress family and friends.

  • Total Time: 1 hour
  • Yield: 4 servings

Ingredients

Scale
  • 500g boneless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 1 cup plain Greek yogurt
  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice
  • 2 teaspoons ground cumin
  • 2 teaspoons ground coriander
  • 1 teaspoon turmeric powder
  • 1 teaspoon garam masala
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1 large onion, finely chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon ginger, grated
  • 1 can (400g) crushed tomatoes
  • 1 cup heavy cream or coconut cream
  • Fresh cilantro leaves for garnish
  • Optional: chili powder or cayenne pepper for heat

Instructions

  1. Marinate the chicken with Greek yogurt, lemon juice, cumin, coriander, turmeric, garam masala, paprika, salt, and pepper. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, up to 2 hours for more flavor.
  2. In a large skillet, melt 2 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Add chopped onion and cook until translucent, about 5 minutes. Add garlic and ginger, sauté until fragrant, about 1 minute.
  3. Push aromatics to the side and add marinated chicken. Cook until browned and cooked through, about 8-10 minutes. Remove from skillet and set aside.
  4. Add crushed tomatoes to the same skillet and simmer for 10 minutes, seasoning with additional salt, pepper, and chili powder or cayenne if desired.
  5. Reduce heat to low, stir in heavy cream or coconut cream, and add remaining butter. Once melted and smooth, return cooked chicken to the sauce. Simmer for another 5 minutes to deepen flavors.
  6. Garnish with chopped cilantro and optional additional spices. Serve hot with basmati rice or naan bread.

Notes

  • For extra flavor, marinate the chicken longer up to 2 hours.
  • You can substitute coconut milk for heavy cream to make dairy-free butter chicken.
  • Adjust spice levels with chili powder or cayenne for heat preference.
  • Author: Emma Bloomfield
  • Prep Time: 40 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Category: Main Course
  • Method: Stovetop
  • Cuisine: Indian
  • Diet: Dairy-Free option available

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 plate
  • Calories: 430 kcal Kcal
  • Sugar: 8 g
  • Sodium: 650 mg
  • Fat: 25 g
  • Saturated Fat: 15 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
  • Trans Fat: 0.5 g
  • Carbohydrates: 20 g
  • Fiber: 4 g
  • Protein: 38 g
  • Cholesterol: 125 mg