Indian Butter Chicken Recipe

Introduction

Indian Butter Chicken is a rich and creamy dish that combines tender chicken pieces with aromatic spices and a luscious tomato-based sauce. This comforting favorite is perfect for a cozy dinner and pairs wonderfully with basmati rice or warm naan bread.

Ingredients

• 1 ½ pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into chunks
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 1 medium onion, diced
• 1 teaspoon ginger, minced
• 2-3 cloves garlic, minced
• 4 tablespoons tomato paste
• 1 tablespoon garam masala
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• 1 teaspoon cumin
• 1 teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper
• 1 cup heavy cream

Instructions

1. Step 1: Heat the vegetable oil and butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the diced onions and cook until they turn lightly golden, about 3-4 minutes. Stir in the minced ginger and garlic, cooking for an additional 30 seconds until fragrant.
2. Step 2: Add the chicken chunks, tomato paste, garam masala, chili powder, cumin, salt, and black pepper to the skillet. Cook for 5-6 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the chicken is cooked through and well coated in the spices.
3. Step 3: Pour in the heavy cream and reduce the heat to medium-low. Let the sauce simmer gently for 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it thickens to a creamy consistency.
4. Step 4: Serve the butter chicken over basmati rice or alongside warm naan bread. Enjoy your flavorful and comforting meal!

Tips & Variations

• For extra depth, marinate the chicken in yogurt and spices for an hour before cooking.
• Adjust the chili powder to control the heat level according to your taste.
• Swap heavy cream for coconut milk for a dairy-free version with a subtle twist.

Storage

Store leftover butter chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave, stirring occasionally to maintain the creamy texture. Avoid boiling the sauce to prevent curdling.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use chicken thighs instead of chicken breasts?

Yes, boneless, skinless chicken thighs work great and offer a juicier and more flavorful option. Just adjust cooking time to ensure they are fully cooked.

Is this recipe spicy?

The recipe has a mild to moderate spice level due to the chili powder and garam masala. You can easily adjust the amount of chili powder to make it milder or spicier according to your preference.

Indian Butter Chicken Recipe

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★★★★★

4.7 from 135 reviews

A classic Indian Butter Chicken recipe featuring tender chicken pieces simmered in a rich, creamy tomato-based sauce flavored with aromatic spices like garam masala, cumin, and chili powder. This comforting dish is perfect served over basmati rice or with warm naan bread.

• Author: Bella
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings 1x
• Category: Main Course
• Method: Stovetop
• Cuisine: Indian

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Chicken and Marinade

• 1 ½ pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into chunks

Sauce and Seasonings

• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 1 medium onion, diced
• 1 teaspoon ginger, minced
• 2–3 cloves garlic, minced
• 4 tablespoons tomato paste
• 1 tablespoon garam masala
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• 1 teaspoon cumin
• 1 teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper
• 1 cup heavy cream

Instructions

1. Prepare the base: Heat the vegetable oil and butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the diced onions and cook until they become lightly golden, about 3-4 minutes. Stir in the minced ginger and garlic and cook for an additional 30 seconds to release their aroma.
2. Cook the chicken with spices: Add the chicken chunks into the skillet along with tomato paste, garam masala, chili powder, cumin, salt, and black pepper. Stir well to coat the chicken and spices evenly. Cook the mixture for 5-6 minutes until the chicken is fully cooked and no longer pink inside.
3. Simmer the sauce: Pour in the heavy cream and reduce the heat to low. Let the sauce simmer gently for 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it thickens to a rich and creamy consistency.
4. Serve: Remove from heat and serve the butter chicken hot, ideally over steamed basmati rice or with warm naan bread for a complete meal. Enjoy your flavorful dish!

Notes

• For best results, use fresh ginger and garlic to enhance the flavor.
• If you prefer a less spicy dish, reduce the chili powder to ½ teaspoon.
• Heavy cream provides the signature richness; you can substitute with coconut cream for a dairy-free alternative, though flavor will vary.
• Chicken thighs can be used instead of breasts for a juicier texture.
• Make sure the chicken is fully cooked before adding the cream to avoid any raw chicken texture.

Keywords: Butter Chicken, Indian Butter Chicken, Chicken Curry, Indian Cuisine, Creamy Chicken, Easy Butter Chicken Recipe