Name: Butter Chicken
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 45 min
Cuisine: Indian
Ingredients: 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces; 1 cup plain yogurt; 2 tbsp lemon juice; 4 cloves garlic, minced; 1 tbsp ginger, grated; 2 tsp garam masala; 1 tsp ground cumin; 1 tsp ground coriander; 1 tsp chili powder or paprika; 1 tsp salt; 4 tbsp butter; 1 onion, finely chopped; 3 cloves garlic, minced; 1 tbsp ginger, grated; 2 cups tomato puree or crushed tomatoes; 1 cup heavy cream; 1 tsp garam masala; 1 tsp ground cumin; 1/2 tsp ground turmeric; 1 tsp chili powder or paprika; 1–2 tsp sugar (optional); Fresh cilantro, for garnish

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This dish delivers a perfect harmony of smoky, savory, and slightly sweet flavors with a luxurious, buttery sauce. It’s comforting, flavorful, and ideal for pairing with warm naan or fluffy basmati rice. Plus, you can adjust the spice level to suit your taste.

Ingredients

(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

For the chicken marinade:

Boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs (cut into bite-sized pieces)
Plain yogurt
Lemon juice
Garlic (minced)
Ginger (grated)
Garam masala
Ground cumin
Ground coriander
Chili powder or paprika
Salt

For the sauce:

Butter
Onion (finely chopped)
Garlic (minced)
Ginger (grated)
Tomato puree or crushed tomatoes
Heavy cream
Garam masala
Ground cumin
Ground turmeric
Chili powder or paprika
Sugar (optional, to balance acidity)
Fresh cilantro for garnish

Directions

Marinate the chicken: In a large bowl, combine yogurt, lemon juice, garlic, ginger, and spices. Add chicken and coat well. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour (up to overnight).
Heat a large skillet or pot over medium-high heat. Add a little butter or oil and cook the marinated chicken until browned on all sides (it doesn’t need to be fully cooked). Remove and set aside.
In the same skillet, melt butter. Add onion and cook until soft and golden. Stir in garlic and ginger, cooking until fragrant.
Add garam masala, cumin, turmeric, and chili powder, stirring for 30 seconds to toast the spices.
Pour in tomato puree and simmer for 5–7 minutes until thickened.
Stir in heavy cream and return the chicken to the pan. Simmer gently for 10–15 minutes until the chicken is cooked through and the sauce is creamy.
Taste and adjust seasoning, adding sugar if desired.
Garnish with fresh cilantro and serve with rice or naan.

Servings and timing

This recipe serves 4–6.
Preparation time: 15 minutes (plus marinating time)
Cooking time: 30 minutes
Total time: 45 minutes (plus marinating)

Variations

Use coconut milk instead of cream for a dairy-free version.
Add vegetables like spinach or peas for more texture and nutrition.
Grill the marinated chicken for extra smoky flavor before adding to the sauce.
Adjust spices for a milder or hotter dish.
Use bone-in chicken pieces for a more traditional preparation.

Storage/Reheating

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Reheat gently on the stove over low heat or in the microwave until warmed through.
Freeze for up to 2 months; thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.

FAQs

What’s the difference between butter chicken and chicken tikka masala?

Butter chicken is usually creamier and slightly sweeter, while tikka masala has a spicier, more tomato-forward sauce.

Can I skip the marinating step?

Marinating adds flavor and tenderness, but you can skip it if you’re short on time.

Is this dish very spicy?

It’s typically mild to medium, but you can adjust chili powder to your preference.

Can I make this in a slow cooker?

Yes, cook on low for 4–5 hours after sautéing onions, garlic, and spices.

What’s the best cut of chicken to use?

Chicken thighs stay juicier, but chicken breasts work well too.

Can I use canned tomato sauce instead of puree?

Yes, but puree or crushed tomatoes give the best texture.

How do I make it thicker?

Simmer longer to reduce the sauce or add a bit more cream.

Can I double the recipe?

Yes, it scales well—just use a large enough pot.

What sides go well with butter chicken?

Basmati rice, naan bread, or a cucumber raita are perfect accompaniments.

Can I make it ahead of time?

Yes, the flavors deepen when made ahead, making it great for meal prep.

Conclusion

Butter Chicken is a luscious, flavorful dish that’s surprisingly easy to recreate at home. With tender, spiced chicken in a silky tomato-cream sauce, it’s the ultimate comfort food for fans of Indian cuisine. Serve it with warm naan or fluffy rice for a meal that’s sure to satisfy every time.

Butter Chicken

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Butter Chicken, or Murgh Makhani, is a creamy and mildly spiced Indian dish featuring tender marinated chicken simmered in a rich tomato-butter sauce. It’s comforting, flavorful, and perfect with naan or rice.

Author: Laura
Prep Time: 15 minutes (+1 hour marinating)
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes (+marinating)
Yield: 4–6 servings
Category: Main Course
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: Indian
Diet: Halal

Instructions

In a large bowl, mix yogurt, lemon juice, garlic, ginger, garam masala, cumin, coriander, chili powder, and salt. Add chicken and coat well. Cover and refrigerate at least 1 hour or overnight.

Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add a little butter or oil and brown marinated chicken on all sides (do not fully cook). Remove and set aside.
In the same skillet, melt butter. Add onion and cook until golden and soft. Stir in garlic and ginger, cooking until fragrant.
Add garam masala, cumin, turmeric, and chili powder; cook for 30 seconds to toast spices.
Stir in tomato puree and simmer 5–7 minutes until slightly thickened.
Add heavy cream and return chicken to skillet. Simmer gently for 10–15 minutes until chicken is cooked through and sauce is creamy.
Taste and adjust seasoning, adding sugar if needed.
Garnish with fresh cilantro and serve with rice or naan.

Notes

For a dairy-free version, replace cream with coconut milk.
Grilling the marinated chicken before adding it to the sauce adds a smoky flavor.
Adjust chili powder to control spice level.
Marinating overnight gives the best flavor and tenderness.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 serving
Calories: 420
Sugar: 6g
Sodium: 710mg
Fat: 28g
Saturated Fat: 16g
Unsaturated Fat: 10g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 12g
Fiber: 3g
Protein: 30g
Cholesterol: 150mg