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A bowl of creamy homemade butter chicken garnished with fresh cilantro and served with rice.

Easy Homemade Butter Chicken

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Discover the delicious and creamy homemade butter chicken, an authentic Indian classic that combines tender chicken pieces in a rich tomato-based sauce infused with spices. Perfect for a comforting dinner, this easy butter chicken recipe will impress your family and guests alike with its flavorful profile and satisfying texture.

  • Total Time: 40 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1.5 lbs (700g) boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 3 tablespoons butter
  • 1 large onion, finely chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon grated fresh ginger
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon ground coriander
  • 1 teaspoon garam masala
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon turmeric
  • 1 cup tomato puree or crushed tomatoes
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream or coconut milk for a dairy-free option
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Fresh cilantro for garnish

Instructions

  1. Start by seasoning the chicken with a pinch of salt and pepper. Optionally, marinate in yogurt with spices for extra tenderness.
  2. Melt 1 tablespoon of butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add chopped onion and sauté until translucent. Stir in garlic and ginger, cooking until fragrant. Add cumin, coriander, garam masala, smoked paprika, and turmeric; cook for 1 minute.
  3. Add chicken pieces to the skillet, stirring to coat with spices. Cook until browned about 5-7 minutes.
  4. Pour in tomato puree and simmer for 10 minutes until the sauce thickens. Stir in heavy cream or coconut milk, cook for another 5 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.
  5. Remove from heat, garnish with fresh cilantro, and serve hot over rice or naan bread.

Notes

  • You can marinate the chicken in yogurt and spices for extra tenderness.
  • Adjust spice levels to suit your heat preference by adding cayenne pepper.
  • Use heavy cream or coconut milk depending on dietary preference.
  • Best served fresh but can be stored in an airtight container for up to 3 days in the fridge.
  • Author: Emma Bloomfield
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 30 minutes
  • Category: Main Course
  • Method: Stove Top
  • Cuisine: Indian
  • Diet: Dairy-Free (if using coconut milk)

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 plate (~350g)
  • Calories: 420 Kcal
  • Sugar: 6g
  • Sodium: 850mg
  • Fat: 28g
  • Saturated Fat: 14g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 12g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 20g
  • Fiber: 4g
  • Protein: 40g
  • Cholesterol: 125mg