Quick & Easy Homemade Butter Chicken Recipe

Welcome to your new favorite recipe! This Quick & Easy Homemade Butter Chicken is perfect for busy home cooks. It’s rich, creamy, and packed with flavor. You can have a delicious meal on the table in no time. With just a few simple steps, you’ll create a comforting dish that the whole family will love.

Emma Hale Story

As a busy mom, I understand the struggle of getting dinner on the table with limited time. This butter chicken recipe became my go-to during hectic weeks. It’s easy to prepare and always a crowd-pleaser. Plus, it allows me to spend more time with my loved ones rather than slaving away in the kitchen. Trust me, your family will be asking for seconds!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This Quick & Easy Homemade Butter Chicken is a true gem in my recipe collection. It combines simple, accessible ingredients with vibrant spices. You won’t need to spend hours cooking. Most of the work is done while you let the chicken marinate and the sauce simmer. It’s rich and creamy, yet still light enough for any night of the week. The recipe is also adaptable; you can adjust the spice levels to suit your taste. It’s not just comforting but also serves beautifully with naan bread and steamed rice. This dish is sure to be a hit, making it worth saving on Pinterest for later!

Ingredients

1. 1 ½ pounds skinless boneless chicken thighs – cut into bite-sized chunks for quicker cooking
2. 1 teaspoon salt – enhances the chicken’s flavor
3. 1 teaspoon garlic powder – adds delicious depth
4. 1 teaspoon sweet paprika – gives a touch of sweetness
5. ½ teaspoon curry powder – complements the spices
6. 1 tablespoon Greek yogurt – tenderizes the chicken
7. 3 tablespoons vegetable oil – for sautéing
8. 3 tablespoons butter, divided – adds richness
9. 6 garlic cloves – minced for freshness
10. 1 medium onion – diced for a savory base
11. 1 (15-ounce) can tomato sauce – for the base of the sauce
12. 1 teaspoon sugar – balances acidity
13. 1 teaspoon salt (adjust to taste) – always taste as you go
14. ½ teaspoon black pepper – adds a subtle kick
15. 2 cups heavy cream – creates a luscious sauce
16. ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional for heat) – adjust to your spice preference
17. 1 teaspoon garam masala – introduces warm spices
18. ½ teaspoon curry powder – adds extra flavor depth
19. ¼ cup freshly chopped parsley (optional, for garnish) – freshens up the dish
20. Naan bread – perfect for dipping
21. Steamed rice – a classic side to soak up the sauce

How to Make Quick & Easy Homemade Butter Chicken Recipe

1. Mix chicken with salt, garlic powder, paprika, curry powder, and Greek yogurt. Refrigerate for at least 15 minutes.
2. Heat vegetable oil and 1 tablespoon of butter in a skillet. Sauté garlic and onion until fragrant.
3. Add tomato sauce, sugar, salt, black pepper, heavy cream, cayenne pepper, garam masala, and curry powder. Simmer for a few minutes.
4. In another pan, cook the marinated chicken until browned and cooked through.
5. Add the chicken to the sauce and stir in the remaining butter. Simmer for a few more minutes.
6. Garnish with parsley and serve hot with naan and rice.

How to Serve

Serve your homemade butter chicken with warm naan and fluffy steamed rice. Both pair beautifully, allowing everyone to scoop up that delicious sauce. You could also add a side of sautéed vegetables or a fresh salad for a pop of color and crunch. For a cozy dinner, consider pouring a glass of your favorite white wine or a refreshing beverage. This dish is perfect for family gatherings or a cozy date night at home.

How to Perfect This Recipe

To make this butter chicken truly exceptional, use fresh spices for the best flavor. Don’t skip marinating the chicken; that step adds greatly to its tenderness and taste. Adjust the cream and spices to fit your preference—it’s all about making it your own. For a healthier twist, try using coconut cream instead of heavy cream. And if you love a bit of heat, increase the cayenne pepper carefully. Lastly, always taste your sauce before serving to adjust seasonings as needed.

Common Mistakes

• Skipping marination: Marination enhances flavor and tenderness. Always allow chicken to sit with spices and yogurt.
• Overcooking the chicken: Cook just until browned and cooked through to keep it juicy.
• Neglecting to taste: Adjusting salt and spices as you go is crucial for the perfect flavor.

Storage and Reheating

Store your butter chicken in an airtight container in the fridge for up to four days. It also freezes well! Just transfer it to a freezer-safe container and enjoy it within three months. For reheating, thaw it overnight in the fridge. Heat slowly in a saucepan over low to medium heat until warmed through. Add a splash of cream to loosen it up if needed.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can I use chicken breast instead of thighs?
Yes, you can use chicken breast, but it may turn out a bit drier. Thighs are juicier and more forgiving for this recipe.

2. Can I make this vegetarian?
Sure! Replace the chicken with paneer, chickpeas, or tofu for a delicious vegetarian version.

3. How spicy is this recipe?
The spice level is adjustable. You can omit the cayenne pepper to keep it mild. Taste the sauce as you go for the best results.

4. Can I use low-fat cream?
Using low-fat cream will change the texture and flavor slightly. For the creamiest result, stick with heavy cream or use coconut cream for a dairy-free option.

Conclusion

I hope you give this Quick & Easy Homemade Butter Chicken a try! It’s simple, flavorful, and guaranteed to impress. Your family will love it, and it might just become a new favorite in your home. Enjoy your cooking adventure!

Butter Chicken

This Quick & Easy Homemade Butter Chicken is rich, creamy, and packed with flavor, perfect for busy home cooks.

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Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 20 minutes mins

Total Time 35 minutes mins

Servings: 4 servings

Course: Dinner, Main Course

Cuisine: Indian

Calories: 520

Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients

  

For the Chicken

• 1.5 pounds skinless boneless chicken thighs, cut into bite-sized chunks
• 1 teaspoon salt enhances the chicken's flavor
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder adds delicious depth
• 1 teaspoon sweet paprika gives a touch of sweetness
• 0.5 teaspoon curry powder complements the spices
• 1 tablespoon Greek yogurt tenderizes the chicken

For the Sauce

• 3 tablespoons vegetable oil for sautéing
• 3 tablespoons butter, divided adds richness
• 6 cloves garlic, minced for freshness
• 1 medium onion, diced for a savory base
• 15 ounces canned tomato sauce for the base of the sauce
• 1 teaspoon sugar balances acidity
• 1 teaspoon salt, adjust to taste always taste as you go
• 0.5 teaspoon black pepper adds a subtle kick
• 2 cups heavy cream creates a luscious sauce
• 0.5 teaspoon cayenne pepper, optional for heat adjust to your spice preference
• 1 teaspoon garam masala introduces warm spices
• 0.5 teaspoon curry powder adds extra flavor depth
• 0.25 cup freshly chopped parsley, optional for garnish freshens up the dish

To Serve

• 1 Naan bread perfect for dipping
• 1 Steamed rice a classic side to soak up the sauce

Method

 

Preparation

1. Mix chicken with salt, garlic powder, paprika, curry powder, and Greek yogurt. Refrigerate for at least 15 minutes.

Cooking

1. Heat vegetable oil and 1 tablespoon of butter in a skillet. Sauté garlic and onion until fragrant.
2. Add tomato sauce, sugar, salt, black pepper, heavy cream, cayenne pepper, garam masala, and curry powder. Simmer for a few minutes.
3. In another pan, cook the marinated chicken until browned and cooked through.
4. Add the chicken to the sauce and stir in the remaining butter. Simmer for a few more minutes.
5. Garnish with parsley and serve hot with naan and rice.

Notes

For the best flavor, use fresh spices. Adjust cream and spices to fit your preference. Taste your sauce before serving to adjust seasonings as needed.