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    Home » Recipes » Poultry

    Easy Butter Chicken Recipe

    Published: Mar 5, 2023 · This post may contain affiliate links · Leave a Comment

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    Butter chicken is one of the most popular chicken dishes in Indian cuisine. It's tender pieces of chicken cooked in a creamy tomato sauce. You can find it on any menu at your local Indian restaurant along side chicken tikka masala. The main difference between the two Indian curries is the creaminess and the spiciness. Butter chicken is more creamy and mild and chicken tikka has the spice. The rich gravy of the butter chicken won me over even though I LOVE a spicy dish! My first time having Indian food was the butter chicken dish and I knew I wanted to create a version myself. Now this is not an authentic butter chicken recipe but it's an easy recipe to follow and a delicious recipe to make at home.

    Butter Chicken Ingredients

    overhead shot of labeled butter chicken ingredients

    Chicken- Boneless skinless chicken thighs or chicken breast cut into small pieces.

    Tenderizers- Yogurt and lemon juice are used in the marinade to tenderize the chicken. Greek or plain whole fat yogurt work.

    Aromatics- Garlic, ginger, and onions are used to give great flavor. Ginger garlic paste can be used instead of minced of each.

    Spices- Turmeric powder, cumin powder, red chili powder, and garam masala powder.

    Let's Make This Creamy Butter Chicken Recipe!

    chicken thigh pieces marinating in seasoned yogurt sauce

    Combine all the marinade ingredients throughly. Add in chicken and mix well so that all the pieces are covered. Marinate for at least an hour and up to overnight.

    cooked marinated chicken thigh pieces in a silver mixing bowl

    Heat olive oil in a large pan over medium high heat. Add marinated chicken and cook for about 6 minutes, cook in batches to make sure chicken gets color. Remove and set aside.

    slices of onion cooking in a stainless steel skillet

    Lower to medium heat and butter to the pan. Cook onions for 5 minutes until tender.

    seasoned onions cooking in a stainless steel skillet

    Add garlic and ginger and cook for one minute. Next, add in spices and cook for an additional minute.

    tomatoes and onions simmering in a large skillet

    Pour in diced tomatoes and cook for 10 minutes.

    seated onions and tomatoes being blended in a blender

    Carefully transfer tomato mixture to a blender and blend until smooth,

    cooked chicken thighs added to skillet with butter sauce.

    Pour the buttery tomato gravy back into the pan and add in the chicken pieces and heavy cream. Cook for 10 minutes.

    close up of butter chicken served with basmati rice in a black dinner bowl

    Serve with basmati rice and garnish with a drizzle of heavy cream and cilantro (coriander leaves).

    Other Chicken Dishes You May Enjoy

    • Jamaican Brown Stew Chicken
    • Jamaican Curry Chicken
    • Pollo Guisado (Chicken Stew)
    butter chicken feature image

    Butter Chicken

    Tender pieces of chicken cooked in a creamy tomato sauce with warm spices.
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Main Course
    Cuisine: Indian
    Prep Time: 20 minutes
    Cook Time: 40 minutes
    Marinade Time: 1 hour
    Total Time: 2 hours
    Servings: 4
    Calories: 552kcal

    Equipment

    stainless steel skillet
    wooden spoon

    Ingredients

    Chicken Marinade

    • 1 1/2 lb boneless skinless chicken thighs diced
    • 1/2 cup plain whole milk yogurt
    • 1 tbsp minced garlic
    • 1 tbsp minced ginger
    • 2 tsp garam masala
    • 1 tsp cumin
    • 1 tsp salt
    • 2 tbsp lemon juice

    Butter Chicken Sauce

    • 1 tbsp olive oil
    • 2 tbsp butter
    • 1 onion sliced
    • 1 1/2 tbsp minced garlic
    • 1 tbsp minced ginger
    • 1 tsp cumin
    • 1 1/2 tsp garam masala
    • 1 tsp chili powder
    • 14 oz diced tomatoes
    • 1/2 cup heavy cream

    Instructions

    • Combine all the marinade ingredients throughly. Add in chicken and mix well so that all the pieces are covered. Marinate for at least an hour and up to overnight.
    • Heat olive oil in a large pan over medium high heat. Add marinated chicken and cook for about 6 minutes, cook in batches to make sure chicken gets color. Remove and set aside.
    • Lower to medium heat and butter to the pan. Cook onions for 5 minutes until tender.
    • Add garlic and ginger and cook for one minute. Next, add in spices and cook for an additional minute.
    • Pour in diced tomatoes and cook for 10 minutes.
    • Carefully transfer tomato mixture to a blender and blend until smooth.
    • Pour sauce back into the pan and add in the chicken pieces and heavy cream. Cook for 10 minutes.
    • Serve with basmati rice and garnish with a drizzle of heavy cream and cilantro (coriander leaves).

    Video

    Easy Butter Chicken

    Nutrition

    Calories: 552kcal | Carbohydrates: 14.4g | Protein: 39.5g | Fat: 37.2g | Saturated Fat: 16.4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 5.5g | Monounsaturated Fat: 13.7g | Trans Fat: 0.2g | Cholesterol: 162mg | Sodium: 791mg | Fiber: 2.7g | Sugar: 6.9g
    Tried this recipe?Mention @itairaeats on Instagram and hashtag #itairaeats!
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    My name is Itaira and I’m from the garden state known as New Jersey. I’ve had passion for many things but the one thing that is consistent is food. I love everything there is to love about food in every aspect. I welcome you all to join me on this food journey. I hope to inspire you to cook and try new foods... learn more

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