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A plate of vibrant homemade butter chicken garnished with fresh cilantro, served alongside steaming basmati rice and naan bread.

Quick & Easy Homemade Butter Chicken: A Flavorful Delight

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Enjoy a quick and easy homemade butter chicken that delivers rich, creamy goodness with tender chicken and aromatic spices. Perfect for weeknights or special occasions, this flavorful dish combines velvety tomato-based sauce with butter and fragrant seasonings for a truly satisfying meal.

  • Total Time: 40 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 2 tbsp vegetable oil or ghee
  • 1 large onion, finely chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tbsp fresh ginger, grated
  • 1 can (14 oz) crushed tomatoes
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream or coconut milk
  • 3 tbsp butter
  • 1 tbsp garam masala
  • 1 tsp ground cumin
  • 1 tsp turmeric
  • 1 tsp paprika
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Fresh cilantro for garnish

Instructions

  1. Season chicken with salt, pepper, and turmeric. Heat oil or ghee in a skillet over medium heat and cook chicken until golden brown. Remove and set aside.
  2. In the same skillet, sauté chopped onion until translucent. Add garlic and ginger, cook for another minute until fragrant.
  3. Add crushed tomatoes, garam masala, cumin, turmeric, and paprika. Simmer for 10 minutes to meld flavors and thicken.
  4. Return cooked chicken to the skillet. Pour in heavy cream and add butter, stirring until combined. Simmer for an additional 5 minutes.
  5. Garnish with fresh cilantro and serve hot over steamed basmati rice or with naan bread.

Notes

  • For dairy-free options, substitute coconut milk and vegan butter alternatives.
  • Use cooked leftover chicken to reduce cooking time—just add at the end to heat through.
  • Add a splash of water or cream during reheating to keep the sauce creamy.
  • Author: Emma Bloomfield
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 30 minutes
  • Category: Main Course
  • Method: Stovetop
  • Cuisine: Indian
  • Diet: Gluten-Free

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 plate
  • Calories: 450 Kcal
  • Sugar: 7g
  • Sodium: 820mg
  • Fat: 30g
  • Saturated Fat: 15g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 12g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 20g
  • Fiber: 4g
  • Protein: 35g
  • Cholesterol: 130mg