Quick & Easy Homemade Butter Chicken Recipe

Why Make This Recipe

Homemade butter chicken is a fantastic dish that fills your home with warm spice and rich flavors. It’s quick, easy, and perfect for a family meal or any gathering. Making it at home means you can adjust the spices and flavors to your taste. Plus, it’s a wonderful way to enjoy Indian cuisine without needing to go out.

How to Make Quick & Easy Homemade Butter Chicken

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
• Steamed rice

Directions:

1. Marinate the Chicken: In a bowl, mix chicken chunks with salt, garlic powder, paprika, and curry powder. Add Greek yogurt and stir well. Let it sit for at least 30 minutes to absorb the flavors.

2. Cook the Chicken: Heat vegetable oil in a large pan over medium heat. Add the marinated chicken and cook until browned and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. Remove chicken from the pan and set aside.

3. Prepare the Sauce Base: In the same pan, melt 1 tablespoon of butter. Add minced garlic and diced onion, cooking for about 3-4 minutes until the onion becomes soft.

4. Build the Sauce: Stir in the tomato sauce, sugar, salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper (if using). Allow it to simmer for about 5 minutes.

5. Season and Simmer: Add heavy cream, garam masala, and curry powder to the sauce. Bring to a gentle boil, then reduce heat and let it simmer for another 5-10 minutes, stirring occasionally.

6. Finish with Butter: Add the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter to create a rich and silky sauce. Stir until melted and combined.

7. Serve and Enjoy: Add the cooked chicken back to the sauce and combine. Let everything heat through, then serve hot, garnished with fresh parsley if desired.

How to Serve Quick & Easy Homemade Butter Chicken

Serve butter chicken with warm naan bread or steamed rice for a complete meal. The bread is perfect for scooping up the delicious sauce, while the rice helps balance the rich flavors.

How to Store Quick & Easy Homemade Butter Chicken

Store leftover butter chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It will stay fresh for about 3-4 days. You can also freeze it for up to 2 months. Just ensure it’s cooled before placing it in the freezer.

Tips to Make Quick & Easy Homemade Butter Chicken

• For extra flavor, marinate the chicken overnight.
• Adjust the spice level by adding more or less cayenne pepper.
• If you don’t have heavy cream, you can use coconut milk for a lighter version.
• Always taste your sauce and adjust seasoning as needed before serving.

Variation

You can add vegetables like bell peppers, spinach, or peas for added nutrition and color. You can also use chicken breast instead of thighs if you prefer a leaner meat option.

FAQs

1. Can I use chicken breasts instead of thighs?
Yes, you can use chicken breasts, but thighs tend to be juicier and more flavorful.

2. Is this recipe really quick and easy?
Absolutely! Once your chicken is marinated, the cooking process takes about 30 minutes.

3. Can I make this dish ahead of time?
Yes, you can make the sauce and marinate the chicken ahead of time. Just cook it when you’re ready to serve.

Butter Chicken

A quick and easy homemade butter chicken recipe filled with warm spices and rich flavors, perfect for family meals or gatherings.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 30 minutes mins

Cook Time 15 minutes mins

Total Time 45 minutes mins

Servings: 4 servings

Course: Dinner, Main Course

Cuisine: Indian

Calories: 600

Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients

  

For Marinating the Chicken

• 1.5 pounds skinless boneless chicken thighs, cut into bite-sized chunks
• 1 teaspoon salt adjust to taste
• 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
• 6 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 medium onion, diced
• 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

• to taste Naan bread
• to taste Steamed rice

Method

 

Marinating the Chicken

1. In a bowl, mix chicken chunks with salt, garlic powder, paprika, and curry powder. Add Greek yogurt and stir well. Let it sit for at least 30 minutes to absorb the flavors.

Cooking the Chicken

1. Heat vegetable oil in a large pan over medium heat. Add the marinated chicken and cook until browned and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. Remove chicken from the pan and set aside.

Preparing the Sauce Base

1. In the same pan, melt 1 tablespoon of butter. Add minced garlic and diced onion, cooking for about 3-4 minutes until the onion becomes soft.

Building the Sauce

1. Stir in the tomato sauce, sugar, salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper (if using). Allow it to simmer for about 5 minutes.

Seasoning and Simmering

1. Add heavy cream, garam masala, and curry powder to the sauce. Bring to a gentle boil, then reduce heat and let it simmer for another 5-10 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Finishing with Butter

1. Add the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter to create a rich and silky sauce. Stir until melted and combined.

Serving

1. Add the cooked chicken back to the sauce and combine. Let everything heat through, then serve hot, garnished with fresh parsley if desired.

Notes

For extra flavor, marinate the chicken overnight. Adjust the spice level by adding more or less cayenne pepper. If you don’t have heavy cream, you can use coconut milk for a lighter version. Always taste your sauce and adjust seasoning as needed before serving. You can add vegetables like bell peppers, spinach, or peas for added nutrition and color. You can also use chicken breast instead of thighs if you prefer a leaner meat option.