Go Back

Quick & Easy Homemade Butter Chicken

A delicious homemade butter chicken recipe featuring tender chicken in a creamy, flavorful sauce, perfect for weeknight dinners.
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: Indian
Calories: 600

Ingredients
  

For the Chicken Marinade
  • 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 Cooking
  • 3 tablespoons vegetable oil
  • 3 tablespoons butter (divided into portions)
  • 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

Method
 

Marinating the Chicken
  1. In a mixing bowl, combine bite-sized chicken pieces with salt, garlic powder, sweet paprika, curry powder, and Greek yogurt. Mix well until the chicken is evenly coated.
  2. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and place it in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes.
Cooking the Chicken
  1. Heat 3 tablespoons of vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
  2. Once the oil is hot, add the marinated chicken pieces. Cook for about 5 to 7 minutes, turning occasionally, until the chicken is browned and fully cooked.
  3. Use a meat thermometer to ensure the internal temperature reaches 165°F (75°C). After cooking, remove the chicken from the skillet and set it aside.
Sautéing the Aromatics
  1. Add 3 tablespoons of butter to the same skillet and allow it to melt.
  2. Once melted, add the minced garlic and diced onion. Sauté for about 3 to 5 minutes until the onion is soft and translucent.
Preparing the Sauce
  1. Stir in the canned tomato sauce, sugar, salt, and black pepper.
  2. Allow this mixture to simmer on low heat for about 10 minutes.
Combining Everything
  1. Add in the heavy cream, stirring gently.
  2. Return the cooked chicken to the skillet and sprinkle in garam masala and another ½ teaspoon of curry powder.
  3. Simmer the mixture for an additional 5 to 10 minutes.
Finishing with Butter
  1. Stir in the remaining butter until it melts completely.
Serving
  1. Dish out your butter chicken over steaming rice or alongside warm naan bread.
  2. If desired, sprinkle freshly chopped parsley on top.

Notes

For better flavor, do not skip the marination. This dish can be adjusted for spice and can be served with basmati rice or naan.