Quick & Easy Homemade Butter Chicken Recipe

The rich aroma of warming spices and the velvety texture of tomato-infused cream sauce make this Quick & Easy Homemade Butter Chicken Recipe an irresistible weeknight dinner option. This beloved Indian classic brings restaurant-quality flavors right to your kitchen table in just about 30 minutes. The tender chicken pieces bathed in a luscious, buttery sauce create a dish that’s both comforting and impressive. You’ll learn how to create authentic butter chicken flavors using accessible ingredients and straightforward techniques that guarantee success every time.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This Homemade Butter Chicken Recipe stands out for its perfect balance of convenience and authentic flavor. Unlike takeout versions that can be heavy and overly rich, this homemade version lets you control the spice level and ingredients while maintaining that signature creamy texture. The contrast between the tender, juicy chicken and the silky, aromatic sauce creates a sensory experience that’s truly satisfying.

What makes this recipe special is its accessibility—you don’t need to visit specialty stores or spend hours in the kitchen. Most ingredients are pantry staples, and the cooking process is streamlined without sacrificing flavor. The sauce achieves that perfect consistency—thick enough to coat the chicken but still ideal for scooping up with naan bread or spooning over rice.

Even novice cooks can master this butter chicken recipe, as it’s forgiving and adaptable. The preparation time is minimal, making it perfect for busy weeknights when you want something that tastes like it took hours but actually comes together in minutes.

Ingredients

For the Chicken Marinade:

• 1.5 lbs (680g) boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into 1-inch pieces
• 1/2 cup (120g) plain yogurt
• 2 tbsp lemon juice
• 2 tsp garam masala
• 1 tsp ground turmeric
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1-inch piece ginger, grated (about 1 tbsp)

For the Butter Chicken Sauce:

• 4 tbsp (56g) unsalted butter, divided
• 1 large onion, finely chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1-inch piece ginger, grated
• 1 tbsp garam masala
• 1 tsp ground coriander
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper (adjust to taste)
• 1 can (14oz/400g) tomato sauce
• 1 cup (240ml) heavy cream
• 2 tbsp tomato paste
• 1 tsp sugar
• Salt to taste
• 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped (for garnish)

The key to authentic butter chicken lies in the quality of your spices. Fresh garam masala makes a significant difference, as does using full-fat yogurt for the marinade to tenderize the chicken properly.

Pro Tips

Marinate Longer for Better Flavor: While this quick butter chicken recipe can be made with just 30 minutes of marination time, allowing the chicken to marinate for 4-24 hours dramatically improves the flavor and tenderness. The yogurt contains enzymes that break down proteins in the chicken, resulting in more succulent meat.

Bloom Your Spices: Don’t rush adding the spices to the hot butter. Allow them to toast for 30-45 seconds until fragrant before adding wet ingredients. This process, known as blooming, releases the essential oils in the spices, intensifying their flavors and creating that signature authentic butter chicken taste.

Balance the Cream Addition: For the silkiest texture, turn down the heat before adding cream to prevent curdling. For the best flavor development, don’t skip simmering the sauce for at least 5-10 minutes after adding the cream. This gives the flavors time to meld while allowing the sauce to thicken to that perfect, velvety consistency that distinguishes great butter chicken from good butter chicken.

Instructions

Step 1: Marinate the Chicken
Combine the yogurt, lemon juice, garam masala, turmeric, cumin, garlic, and ginger in a large bowl. Whisk until smooth. Add your chicken pieces and toss until evenly coated. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, though longer is better if you have time. This marinade not only flavors but also tenderizes your chicken, giving you that melt-in-your-mouth texture that makes homemade butter chicken so special.

Step 2: Prepare the Base
Melt 2 tablespoons of butter in a large, deep skillet over medium heat. Add the onions and cook until soft and translucent, about 5 minutes. You’re building layers of flavor here, so don’t rush this step. Add the garlic and ginger, cooking for another 30 seconds until fragrant. Your kitchen should already be filling with an incredible aroma!

Step 3: Toast the Spices
Add the garam masala, coriander, cumin, and cayenne to the skillet. Stir constantly for about 30-45 seconds until the spices become fragrant but don’t burn. This crucial step releases the essential oils in the spices, creating that authentic depth of flavor that defines great butter chicken.

Step 4: Create the Sauce
Pour in the tomato sauce and add the tomato paste. Stir well to combine and bring to a gentle simmer. Let it cook for about 5 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld and the sauce to thicken slightly. The consistency should coat the back of a spoon but still be pourable.

Step 5: Cook the Chicken
Heat the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter in a separate pan over medium-high heat. Remove the chicken from the marinade, letting excess drip off, and add to the hot pan. Cook for 5-6 minutes, turning occasionally, until the chicken is just cooked through with some charred edges for extra flavor.

Step 6: Combine and Finish
Add the cooked chicken to the simmering sauce. Reduce the heat to low and gently stir in the heavy cream. Allow the butter chicken to simmer for 8-10 minutes, until the sauce has thickened slightly and the flavors have melded together. Stir in the sugar and salt to taste, adjusting the seasonings as needed.

Step 7: Serve
Transfer your homemade butter chicken to a serving dish and garnish with fresh cilantro. Serve hot with basmati rice, naan bread, or both for a complete, satisfying meal that rivals your favorite Indian restaurant.

Variations

Vegetarian Butter Paneer: For a meatless version of this butter chicken recipe, substitute 14 ounces (400g) of firm paneer cheese, cut into cubes, for the chicken. Skip the marination step and simply pan-fry the paneer until golden before adding it to the sauce. The creamy texture of paneer perfectly complements the rich sauce, creating an equally satisfying dish.

Dairy-Free Butter Chicken: Create a dairy-free version by replacing the butter with ghee or coconut oil, the yogurt with coconut yogurt, and the heavy cream with full-fat coconut milk. These substitutions maintain the rich, creamy texture while accommodating dairy allergies or vegan diets. The coconut adds a subtle sweetness that works beautifully with the spices in this homemade butter chicken.

Spicy Butter Chicken: For heat lovers, double the cayenne pepper and add 1-2 finely chopped green chilies with the garlic and ginger. You can also finish the dish with a drizzle of chili oil for an extra kick that balances beautifully with the creamy sauce, creating a more complex version of the classic butter chicken recipe.

Storage and Serving

This Homemade Butter Chicken actually tastes even better the next day as the flavors continue to develop. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. When reheating, do so gently over low heat, adding a splash of water or cream if the sauce has thickened too much. For longer storage, freeze portions in freezer-safe containers for up to 3 months, then thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

For serving, traditional basmati rice is the classic accompaniment, absorbing the rich sauce perfectly. Naan bread makes an excellent side for scooping up extra sauce. For a complete Indian feast, serve your butter chicken alongside cucumber raita, a simple side salad with lemon dressing, and mango chutney for a sweet contrast to the savory main dish.

For a lower-carb option, serve over cauliflower rice or with a side of roasted vegetables—the sauce is versatile enough to complement almost any side dish while maintaining its star status on your dinner table.

FAQs

Can I use chicken breast instead of thighs for butter chicken?
Yes, you can substitute chicken breasts for thighs in this butter chicken recipe. However, be careful not to overcook them as they can dry out more easily than thighs. Reduce the cooking time by 1-2 minutes and consider marinating them longer to ensure tenderness.

Why is my butter chicken sauce not smooth?
For the silkiest homemade butter chicken sauce, you may need to blend the sauce before adding the chicken. After cooking the tomato mixture, let it cool slightly, then blend with an immersion blender or transfer to a standard blender before returning to the pan and adding the cream.

Can I make butter chicken in advance for a party?
Absolutely! This butter chicken actually improves with time as flavors meld. Prepare it up to 2 days ahead, storing in the refrigerator. Reheat gently on the stovetop, adding a splash of cream if needed to restore the original consistency.

Is butter chicken very spicy?
Traditional butter chicken is mild to medium in spiciness. This recipe can be adjusted by reducing or increasing the cayenne pepper. For a milder version, omit the cayenne completely; for extra heat, double the amount or add fresh chilies.

What can I substitute for heavy cream in butter chicken?
If you don’t have heavy cream, you can use half-and-half, coconut cream, or a mixture of milk and melted butter (4 parts milk to 1 part butter). These alternatives will affect the richness of your homemade butter chicken, but will still produce a delicious result.

Conclusion

This Quick & Easy Homemade Butter Chicken Recipe is comfort food at its finest — a luxurious blend of tender chicken bathed in a silky, aromatic sauce that’s both impressive and approachable. It’s the kind of dish that transforms an ordinary weeknight into a special occasion, bringing the exotic flavors of Indian cuisine into your home with minimal effort. Whether you’re cooking for family or entertaining friends, this butter chicken delivers restaurant-quality results that will have everyone asking for seconds and requesting your secret recipe.

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