Quick & Easy Homemade Butter Chicken Recipe
Introduction
If you love flavorful, comforting meals, then this Quick & Easy Homemade Butter Chicken recipe is for you! This dish is rich, creamy, and filled with spices that will make your taste buds dance. It’s perfect for those busy weeknights when you want something delicious but don’t have hours to spend in the kitchen. Let’s dive into this delightful recipe!
Why make this recipe
Making butter chicken at home is a fantastic way to enjoy a restaurant-style dish without the hassle. It’s quick, easy, and uses simple ingredients that you can find in your pantry. Plus, you can customize the spice levels according to your preference. Whether you’re cooking for yourself, your family, or impressing friends, this recipe will leave everyone wanting more.
How to prepare Quick & Easy Homemade Butter Chicken
Here’s how to whip up this mouth-watering butter chicken in just a few steps.
Ingredients:
- 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
- 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 for heat)
- 1 teaspoon garam masala
- ½ teaspoon curry powder
- ¼ cup freshly chopped parsley (optional, for garnish)
- Naan bread
- Steamed rice
Steps:
Marinate the Chicken: In a bowl, combine chicken chunks, salt, garlic powder, sweet paprika, curry powder, and Greek yogurt. Mix well and let it marinate for at least 30 minutes. This helps to infuse the flavors into the chicken.
Cook the Chicken: Heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the marinated chicken and cook until golden brown and cooked through. Remove chicken and set aside.
Prepare the Sauce Base: In the same skillet, add 2 tablespoons of butter. Add diced onions and minced garlic; sauté until they become soft and fragrant.
Build the Sauce: Pour in the tomato sauce, followed by sugar, salt, black pepper, heavy cream, and cayenne pepper (if using). Stir well to combine.
Season and Simmer: Add back the cooked chicken into the sauce. Stir in garam masala and additional curry powder. Allow the sauce to simmer for about 10-15 minutes on low heat, so the chicken absorbs all the flavors.
Finish with Butter: Just before serving, stir in the remaining tablespoon of butter for extra richness.
Serve and Enjoy: Spoon the butter chicken over steamed rice or serve it with warm naan bread. Garnish with freshly chopped parsley if desired.
How to serve Quick & Easy Homemade Butter Chicken
Serve your butter chicken hot with a side of fluffy steamed rice or warm naan bread. You can also add a simple salad or some sautéed vegetables for a complete meal.
How to store Quick & Easy Homemade Butter Chicken
Store any leftover butter chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. To reheat, simply warm it in the microwave or on the stovetop until heated through.
Tips to make Quick & Easy Homemade Butter Chicken perfectly
- Use chicken thighs for a juicier and more flavorful dish compared to chicken breasts.
- Allow the chicken to marinate for a few hours or overnight for even more intense flavor.
- Adjust the spices to your taste. If you enjoy it spicier, add more cayenne pepper!
Variations
- For a healthier option, you can substitute heavy cream with coconut milk.
- Add vegetables like bell peppers or peas for extra color and nutrition.
FAQ
1. Can I use chicken breast instead of thighs?
Yes, you can use chicken breasts, but they may turn out drier than thighs.
2. Is butter chicken spicy?
The spice level can be adjusted based on your preference. You may reduce the cayenne pepper or skip it entirely for a milder flavor.
3. Can I freeze butter chicken?
Yes, you can freeze butter chicken. Make sure it cools completely before transferring it to a freezer-safe container. It’s best used within three months.
Now that you have this simple and delightful butter chicken recipe, it’s time to gather your ingredients and start cooking! Enjoy the rich flavors and the smiles it brings to your table.
PrintQuick & Easy Homemade Butter Chicken
A rich, creamy, and flavorful butter chicken dish that’s quick and easy to prepare, perfect for busy weeknights.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Cooking
- Cuisine: Indian
- Diet: Non-Vegetarian
Ingredients
- 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
- 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 for heat)
- 1 teaspoon garam masala
- ½ teaspoon curry powder
- ¼ cup freshly chopped parsley (optional, for garnish)
- Naan bread
- Steamed rice
Instructions
- Marinate the Chicken: In a bowl, combine chicken chunks, salt, garlic powder, sweet paprika, curry powder, and Greek yogurt. Mix well and let it marinate for at least 30 minutes.
- Cook the Chicken: Heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the marinated chicken and cook until golden brown. Remove chicken and set aside.
- Prepare the Sauce Base: In the same skillet, add 2 tablespoons of butter. Add diced onions and minced garlic; sauté until soft.
- Build the Sauce: Pour in the tomato sauce, followed by sugar, salt, black pepper, heavy cream, and cayenne pepper (if using). Stir well.
- Season and Simmer: Add back the cooked chicken into the sauce. Stir in garam masala and additional curry powder. Simmer on low heat for 10-15 minutes.
- Finish with Butter: Stir in the remaining tablespoon of butter just before serving.
- Serve and Enjoy: Serve the butter chicken over steamed rice or with naan bread, garnished with parsley if desired.
Notes
Use chicken thighs for a juicier dish; adjust spices to taste.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 600
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 40g
- Saturated Fat: 20g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 1g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 120mg
Keywords: butter chicken, indian chicken, quick dinner, easy recipes, comfort food

