If you’re looking to indulge in a meal that’s both comforting and bursting with flavor, then you must try this Quick & Easy Homemade Butter Chicken Recipe. It’s the perfect blend of spices, creamy textures, and hearty goodness that brings the taste of authentic Indian cuisine right to your home.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Comfort Food at Its Best: This butter chicken is rich, creamy, and perfect for any cozy meal.
- Simple Ingredient List: Most of the ingredients are pantry staples, making it accessible for any home cook.
- Adaptable and Customizable: Whether you like it spicy or mild, this recipe can be adjusted to suit your taste.
- Ready in Under an Hour: Despite its depth of flavor, it’s a dish you can whip up without much time.
Ingredients You’ll Need
What makes this Quick & Easy Homemade Butter Chicken Recipe so unbeatable is its simple set of ingredients that work perfectly together to create a symphony of flavors. Let’s break down what’s needed.
- Skinless Boneless Chicken Thighs: Offers a tender, juicy texture that’s perfect for absorbing all the flavors.
- Greek Yogurt: Provides a creamy texture and subtle tang that melds with the spices.
- Tomato Sauce: This forms the base of our sauce, adding a rich and luscious body.
- Heavy Cream: Gives the dish its signature creamy, luxurious texture that’s simply irresistible.
- Garam Masala: As a cornerstone of Indian flavors, it elevates the dish with its warm aromas.
Variations
Don’t be afraid to make this Quick & Easy Homemade Butter Chicken Recipe your very own! Here’s how you can tweak it to match your style and needs.
- Vegetarian Version: Swap out the chicken for paneer or tofu for a delightful vegetarian twist.
- Spice it Up: Add more cayenne or a touch of chili powder if you’re a heat aficionado.
- Lighten It Up: Use coconut milk instead of heavy cream for a lighter, yet still creamy dish.
How to Make Quick & Easy Homemade Butter Chicken Recipe
Step 1: Marinate the Chicken
Combine chicken pieces with salt, garlic powder, sweet paprika, curry powder, and Greek yogurt in a bowl. Mix them thoroughly to ensure each piece is well-coated. Let it marinate for at least 15 minutes to soak in all these wonderful flavors.
Step 2: Cook the Chicken
In a large skillet, heat up the oil. Add in your marinated chicken and let it cook until it’s beautifully golden and cooked through, about 8-10 minutes. Remove and set aside, allowing the rich marinade to linger in the pan.
Step 3: Prepare the Sauce Base
Lower the heat and add 1 tablespoon of butter to the skillet. Melt it and scrape up all those flavorful bits at the bottom. Sauté garlic and onion until aromatic. This fragrant base will make your kitchen smell irresistible.
Step 4: Build the Sauce
Add tomato sauce and sugar to the mix. Allow it to simmer before layering in the cooked chicken and heavy cream. Stir gently as the sauce transforms into a warm orange hue.
Step 5: Season and Simmer
With the sauce bubbling lightly, sprinkle in cayenne pepper, garam masala, and curry powder for that extra kick of warmth. Let it simmer for ten minutes, letting the spices infuse deeply.
Step 6: Finish with Butter
Butter brings it all together. Stir in cold butter to enrich the sauce until it’s silky smooth. Garnish with parsley for a fresh, colorful touch if desired.
Pro Tips for Making Quick & Easy Homemade Butter Chicken Recipe
- Perfect Marination: Let the chicken marinate longer for deeper flavor penetration.
- Creamy Consistency: Use full-fat Greek yogurt and heavy cream for the ultimate creamy texture.
- Balancing Spices: Adjust spices to suit your palate—less curry for mild, more cayenne for heat.
- Genuine Garnish: Fresh parsley or cilantro adds a refreshing contrast to the rich sauce.
How to Serve Quick & Easy Homemade Butter Chicken Recipe
Garnishes
Nothing elevates this dish quite like a sprinkle of freshly chopped parsley or cilantro. They not only add color but also provide a light, herbaceous note that beautifully balances the richness of the sauce.
Side Dishes
Pair your butter chicken with warm, fluffy naan or aromatic basmati rice. These help soak up every last drop of that sumptuous sauce, offering a complete and satisfying dining experience.
Creative Ways to Present
For a special occasion, serve it in a wide, shallow bowl to showcase the beautiful color of the sauce. Garnish with a sprinkle of garam masala for added aroma, and pair with a side salad to brighten the plate.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Let your butter chicken cool completely before transferring it to an airtight container. It’ll keep in the fridge for up to 3 days, maintaining its flavor while the spices continue to meld.
Freezing
This dish freezes well for up to 2 months. Divide into portions for convenient reheating, and store in freezer-safe containers to preserve its wonderful flavors and texture.
Reheating
Gently reheat your butter chicken on the stove over medium heat until warmed through. Add a splash of cream if needed to restore the sauce’s signature creamy consistency.
FAQs
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Can I make this butter chicken recipe without yogurt?
Yes, absolutely! You can substitute yogurt with coconut cream or sour cream to still achieve a nice rich marination.
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What’s the best type of chicken for this recipe?
Boneless chicken thighs are recommended for their juiciness and flavor, but you can also use chicken breast if preferred.
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How can I make the sauce thicker?
If the sauce is thinner than desired, let it simmer uncovered for a few extra minutes to naturally reduce and thicken up.
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Is this recipe gluten-free?
This recipe is naturally gluten-free; however, ensure that all packaged ingredients (like spice mixes) are gluten-free certified if required.
Final Thoughts
This Quick & Easy Homemade Butter Chicken Recipe is a delightful meal that brings the authentic taste of Indian cuisine into your kitchen. Whether you’re serving it for a weeknight dinner or a weekend feast, it’s sure to impress and become a favorite on your recipe list. Why not give it a try? It might just become your new household classic.
Print
Quick & Easy Homemade Butter Chicken Recipe
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Indian-inspired
Description
This Quick & Easy Homemade Butter Chicken is a rich, creamy, and flavorful dish that combines tender chicken chunks marinated in spices and Greek yogurt, cooked in a luscious tomato-based sauce infused with garlic, onion, and warm spices. Perfect for a cozy dinner, it comes together quickly and pairs beautifully with naan and rice.
Ingredients
For the Chicken & Marinade
- 1 1/2 pounds skinless boneless chicken thighs, cut into bite-sized chunks
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon sweet paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon curry powder
- 1 tablespoon Greek yogurt
For the Butter Chicken Sauce
- 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
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper optional for heat
- 1 teaspoon garam masala
- 1/2 teaspoon curry powder
- 1/4 cup freshly chopped parsley optional, for garnish
Instructions
- Marinate the Chicken: In a medium bowl, combine chicken, salt, garlic powder, sweet paprika, curry powder, and Greek yogurt. Mix well, ensuring the chicken is evenly coated. Let it marinate for at least 15 minutes while preparing the other ingredients.
- Cook the Chicken: Heat 3 tablespoons of oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the marinated chicken and cook for about 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until golden brown and cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside, leaving the oil in the pan.
- Prepare the Sauce Base: Reduce the heat to medium and add 1 tablespoon of butter to the skillet. Deglaze the pan by scraping any browned bits, adding a splash of water if needed. Add the minced garlic and diced onion, along with a pinch of salt. Sauté until the onion is translucent and fragrant.
- Build the Sauce: Stir in the tomato sauce and sugar. Let it simmer for 2-3 minutes before adding the cooked chicken back into the skillet. Mix well, then pour in the heavy cream. Stir until the sauce turns a beautiful orange hue.
- Season and Simmer: Add cayenne pepper (if using), garam masala, curry powder, and black pepper. Let the sauce simmer on low heat for 10 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld. Adjust spices and salt to taste.
- Finish with Butter: Stir in the remaining 2 tablespoons of cold butter and let it melt into the sauce for a silky finish. Sprinkle with chopped parsley if desired.
- Serve and Enjoy: Serve hot with naan bread and steamed rice. Enjoy the creamy, flavorful goodness!
Notes
- Marinating time can be extended for deeper flavor, up to 1 hour.
- Use coconut milk instead of heavy cream for a dairy-free variation.
- Adjust the cayenne pepper quantity based on desired heat level.
- For a smoky flavor, add a pinch of smoked paprika replacing regular sweet paprika.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl (about 1/4 of recipe)
- Calories: 650 kcal
- Sugar: 8 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 42 g
- Saturated Fat: 22 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 42 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 44 g
- Cholesterol: 165 mg
