Quick & Easy Homemade Butter Chicken Recipe
If you’re craving an Indian classic that’s both luxurious and unbelievably simple to whip up at home, you’re in for a treat with this Quick & Easy Homemade Butter Chicken Recipe. Picture juicy chunks of chicken simmered in a creamy, spiced tomato sauce and finished with velvety butter, all ready in less time than it takes to order takeout. This is the ultimate comfort food that doesn’t skimp on flavor, texture, or the wow factor. Whether you’re impressing friends or just need a little decadence on a busy weeknight, this recipe will instantly become your go-to for pure, saucy satisfaction.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The magic of the Quick & Easy Homemade Butter Chicken Recipe lies in its straightforward ingredients. Each one plays a key role—bringing depth, creaminess, color, and aroma that makes every bite so memorable. It’s a harmonious mix of pantry staples and a few special touches for that authentic restaurant feel.
- Chicken Thighs: Juicy, tender, and perfect for soaking up all those gorgeous flavors.
- Salt: Essential for brightening and balancing the whole dish.
- Garlic Powder & Fresh Garlic: Double the garlicky goodness for both marinade and sauce layers.
- Sweet Paprika: Delivers mild warmth and a lovely rosy color.
- Curry Powder: Adds subtle complexity and perfume to both marinade and sauce.
- Greek Yogurt: Tenderizes the chicken and imparts gentle tang in the marinade.
- Vegetable Oil: The high-heat hero for browning your chicken perfectly.
- Butter: The heart of butter chicken—gives the sauce its luscious, silky finish.
- Onion: Sweated down to mellow sweetness, building depth in your sauce base.
- Tomato Sauce: Tangy and rich, this brings color and a touch of sweetness.
- Sugar: Balances out tomato’s acidity and rounds out the flavors.
- Black Pepper: For a gentle pop of warmth.
- Heavy Cream: The secret to that signature, creamy texture that coats the chicken.
- Cayenne Pepper (optional): Gives your sauce a kick if you like a hint of heat.
- Garam Masala: A pinch of aromatic Indian spice blend for authenticity.
- Fresh Parsley (optional): A burst of color and freshness as a finishing touch.
- Naan Bread & Steamed Rice: Essential partners for mopping up that gorgeous sauce.
How to Make Quick & Easy Homemade Butter Chicken Recipe
Step 1: Marinate the Chicken
Start by combining the chicken, salt, garlic powder, sweet paprika, curry powder, and Greek yogurt in a medium bowl. Mix until each piece is evenly coated, letting all that flavor seep right in. Even a 15-minute marinade makes an incredible difference in how succulent and flavorful your chicken becomes.
Step 2: Cook the Chicken
Heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high. Add your marinated chicken in a single layer, letting it sear and turn gloriously golden for about 8 to 10 minutes. Once cooked through, remove the chicken and set it aside, keeping all the tasty bits and oil in the pan for the next stage.
Step 3: Prepare the Sauce Base
Lower the heat to medium, and add a pat of butter to the skillet. Use a wooden spoon to scrape any caramelized bits left behind—they’re flavor gold! Toss in your minced garlic and diced onion, plus a pinch of salt, sautéing until the onions turn soft and aromatic.
Step 4: Build the Sauce
Pour in your tomato sauce and sprinkle in the sugar. Allow this mixture to simmer gently for a few minutes, mellowing and bringing the flavors together. Return the cooked chicken (and any juices!) to the pan, then stir in heavy cream. Watch as the sauce turns a dreamy, creamy orange—pure magic.
Step 5: Season and Simmer
Now it’s time for the flavor powerhouses: cayenne pepper (if you like it spicy), garam masala, curry powder, black pepper, and a dash more salt. Let everything simmer gently on low for about 10 minutes, so the chicken gets infused with all those layers of flavor and the sauce thickens beautifully.
Step 6: Finish with Butter
Finally, swirl in the remaining butter until it melts luxuriously into your sauce. Sprinkle fresh parsley on top if you want a pop of green. That’s it! Restaurant-level comfort food, ready in a flash.
How to Serve Quick & Easy Homemade Butter Chicken Recipe
Garnishes
Scatter freshly chopped parsley across your butter chicken for a fresh kick and extra color. A drizzle of cream or a dollop of yogurt on top also looks beautiful and adds a cooling finish, especially if you used cayenne for extra heat.
Side Dishes
This curry was practically made to be enjoyed with pillowy naan bread—perfect for scooping up every last bit of that silken sauce. For a complete meal, serve with fluffy steamed basmati rice, which soaks up the rich flavors and rounds out the dish delightfully.
Creative Ways to Present
For a fun twist, serve your butter chicken as sliders in mini toasted buns or pile it into lettuce cups for a lighter approach. Fancy a party platter? Spoon the chicken atop crispy potatoes, or layer it over a rice bowl with crunchy cucumber, pickled onions, and more fresh herbs for that vibrant, modern look.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store any remaining Quick & Easy Homemade Butter Chicken Recipe in an airtight container in the fridge for up to four days. The flavors deepen and intensify overnight, making leftovers absolutely crave-worthy.
Freezing
This dish freezes beautifully! Let it cool, then portion into freezer-safe containers. Store for up to three months. Thaw in the fridge overnight when you’re ready for a lightning-fast dinner fix.
Reheating
Gently reheat your butter chicken on the stovetop over low heat, stirring occasionally until warmed through. To keep the sauce luscious, add a splash of water or cream if it looks too thick. Microwave reheating works as well—just cover loosely and stir halfway through heating.
FAQs
Can I use chicken breast instead of thighs?
Absolutely! Just know that thighs stay juicier, but chicken breast will work beautifully if that’s what you have. Be sure to not overcook, so the chicken stays tender.
Is this Quick & Easy Homemade Butter Chicken Recipe spicy?
The base recipe is rich, creamy, and mild, but you can turn up the heat by adding as much (or as little) cayenne pepper as you like. Customize the spice level to suit you and your family!
What can I use if I don’t have Greek yogurt?
You can swap in plain regular yogurt or even sour cream for the marinade—the goal is to tenderize and infuse flavor into the chicken, and both work great.
Can I make this recipe dairy-free?
Definitely! Use coconut cream instead of heavy cream and a plant-based buttery spread in place of regular butter. The result is still rich and delicious, though the flavor profile will have a gentle coconut note.
Is this Quick & Easy Homemade Butter Chicken Recipe freezer friendly?
Absolutely! Once the dish has cooled, simply portion and freeze. It reheats beautifully and makes busy weeknight cooking a breeze.
Final Thoughts
This Quick & Easy Homemade Butter Chicken Recipe is one of those rare gems: easy enough for a regular Tuesday, but so satisfying it feels like a celebration. I hope you give it a whirl—and that it becomes a beloved staple in your kitchen, too!
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Quick & Easy Homemade Butter Chicken Recipe
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: Halal
Description
Indulge in the rich and creamy flavors of this Quick & Easy Homemade Butter Chicken recipe. Tender chicken marinated in a blend of spices, simmered in a luscious tomato cream sauce, and finished with a touch of butter for a truly satisfying dish.
Ingredients
Marinated Chicken:
- 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
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)
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 2 cups heavy cream
- ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
- 1 teaspoon garam masala
- ½ teaspoon curry powder
- ¼ cup freshly chopped parsley (optional, for garnish)
Serving Suggestions:
- Naan bread
- Steamed rice
Instructions
- Marinate the Chicken: In a medium bowl, combine chicken, salt, garlic powder, sweet paprika, curry powder, and Greek yogurt. Let it marinate for at least 15 minutes.
- Cook the Chicken: Cook marinated chicken in oil until golden brown and cooked through. Set aside.
- Prepare the Sauce Base: Sauté garlic, onion, and spices in butter.
- Build the Sauce: Add tomato sauce, sugar, and cream. Simmer until thickened.
- Season and Simmer: Add remaining spices and simmer to meld flavors.
- Finish with Butter: Stir in butter for a silky finish.
- Serve and Enjoy: Serve hot with naan bread and rice.
Notes
- You can adjust the spice levels by increasing or decreasing the cayenne pepper.
- For a richer sauce, you can add a splash of chicken broth.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated and reheated gently on the stovetop.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Indian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 580 kcal
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 780mg
- Fat: 45g
- Saturated Fat: 25g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 10g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 32g
- Cholesterol: 210mg
Keywords: Butter Chicken, Indian Butter Chicken, Chicken Curry Recipe, Creamy Chicken Recipe
