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This easy Butter Chicken recipe is rich, creamy, and full of amazing flavor. Ready in about 30 minutes, it’s the perfect quick and comforting dinner for busy weeknights.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
One of the things I am most grateful for is that my four children grew up to be much more adventurous eaters than I ever was. I think living in foreign countries helped open their eyes—and mine—to all kinds of amazing foods and flavors from around the world. They were the ones who first introduced me to Indian food, and ever since then I have fallen in love with the rich spices, creamy sauces, and comforting flavors.
Butter Chicken quickly became one of my favorite Indian-inspired dishes to make at home because it delivers incredible flavor without being complicated. The sauce is rich, creamy, and perfectly spiced, and the whole dish comes together in about 30 minutes, making it ideal for busy weeknights. If you’ve ever wanted to try making Indian food at home, this is a great place to start!
Ingredients Needed
- Chicken Breast, boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- Chicken Broth
- Tomato Paste
- Butter
- Half and Half
- Olive Oil
- Garam Masala, this is a combination of pepper, cloves, cinnamon, cumin and cardamon and is a key ingredient.
- Onion
- Jalapeño
- Ginger
- Garlic
- Chili Powder
- Salt and Pepper
- Lime
- Cilantro, for garnish
How to Make Butter Chicken
- Sauté onions, ginger and jalapeno pepper in a frying pan
- Add in your garlic. garam masala and a little extra chill powder if you want a bit more kick.
- Pour mixture into your blender,
- Add in tomato paste and chicken broth and pulse until smooth.
- Add mixture back into frying pan, add in milk and let it come to a gentle boil. Reduce heat and simmer for about 10 minutes.
- Melt butter over high heat in another frying pan. Salt and pepper chicken and add into pan. Cook until chicken is no longer pink.
- Combine the sauce and chicken and simmer over medium heat. Add in remaining butter.
- Serve over rice and garnish the butter chicken with a squeeze of some fresh lime and a sprinkle of fresh chopped cilantro.
Tips from leigh Anne
- Cut the chicken into evenly sized pieces. This helps the chicken cook quickly and evenly so every bite stays tender and juicy.
- Don’t skip the spices. The combination of spices is what gives butter chicken its signature flavor. Fresh spices will give you the best flavor and aroma.
- Adjust the spice level to your taste. If you prefer a milder dish, reduce the chili powder. Want more heat? Add a little extra.
- Let the sauce simmer. Even a few extra minutes of simmering helps the flavors blend together and creates a richer, more flavorful sauce.
- Instead of half and half you can use coconut milk, I prefer full fat.
- Serve with rice or naan. The creamy sauce is too good to waste, so be sure to serve it with something that can soak up every bit of it.
- Make it ahead. Butter chicken tastes even better the next day after the flavors have had time to develop, making it great for meal prep or leftovers.
- Add fresh cilantro before serving. A sprinkle of fresh cilantro brightens up the rich sauce and adds fresh flavor.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Butter chicken spicy?
Butter Chicken is usually mild to moderately spiced. It is known more for its rich, creamy flavor than for being overly hot. You can easily adjust the spice level to fit your preference.
Can I use chicken thighs instead of chicken breast?
Absolutely. Chicken thighs work wonderfully in this recipe and tend to stay extra tender and juicy.
Can I freeze butter chicken?
Yes. Allow it to cool completely and store it in an airtight container in the freezer for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and reheat gently on the stovetop.
Do I need special spices?
Most ingredients can be found at a regular grocery store. Garam masala is one spice blend you may need to purchase if you don’t already have it, but it is commonly available in the spice aisle.
Is Butter Chicken the same as Tikka Masala?
They are similar, but Butter Chicken is usually creamier and slightly sweeter, while Chicken Tikka Masala tends to have a bolder tomato flavor and a bit more spice.
This easy Butter Chicken recipe is one of those comforting meals that feels special without requiring a lot of time or effort. The creamy sauce, warm spices, and tender chicken create the perfect balance of flavor in every bite. Whether you are new to Indian-inspired cooking or already love these flavors as much as I do, this recipe is an easy way to bring a little extra warmth and deliciousness to your dinner table.
Check out more of my favorite dinner ideas:
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Butter Chicken Recipe
Ingredients
- 1/2 onion chopped
- 1 Tbsp minced ginger
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 jalapeno pepper seeded and chopped
- 1 Tbsp olive oil
- 2 tsp garam masala
- 1 tsp chili powder if extra heat is desired
- 1 6boz. tomato paste
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1/2 cups half and half
- 3 chicken breast boneless, skinless, cut into pieces
- 1/2 tsp pepper
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/4 cup butter
- lime
- cilantro chopped
Instructions
- In a large pan saute onion, ginger and jalapeno pepper in oil.
- Stir until onion is lightly browned about 5 minutes. Add in garlic, garam masala and chili powder (if desired). Saute for 2-3 minutes.
- Put mixture into blender. Add in tomato paste and chicken broth and pulse until smooth.
- Put mixture back in pan and add in half and half. Bring to a boil and simmer for 5-10 minutes.
- In another pan heat 1 Tbsp butter over high heat and add in chicken that has been salted and peppered.
- Cook until chicken is no longer pink.
- Add in sauce and stir. Cook for 3-4 more minutes.
- Add in 3 Tbsp butter and stir until melted.
- Serve over rice. Squeeze lime juice over mixture and garnish with chopped cilantro.
Tips & Notes:
- Cut the chicken into evenly sized pieces. This helps the chicken cook quickly and evenly so every bite stays tender and juicy.
- Don’t skip the spices. The combination of spices is what gives butter chicken its signature flavor. Fresh spices will give you the best flavor and aroma.
- Adjust the spice level to your taste. If you prefer a milder dish, reduce the chili powder. Want more heat? Add a little extra.
- Let the sauce simmer. Even a few extra minutes of simmering helps the flavors blend together and creates a richer, more flavorful sauce.
- Instead of half and half you can use coconut milk, I prefer full fat.
- Serve with rice or naan. The creamy sauce is too good to waste, so be sure to serve it with something that can soak up every bit of it.
- Make it ahead. Butter chicken tastes even better the next day after the flavors have had time to develop, making it great for meal prep or leftovers.
- Add fresh cilantro before serving. A sprinkle of fresh cilantro brightens up the rich sauce and adds fresh flavor.
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Heidi says
Made this tonight and all of the kids ate it without protest. Win!
Leigh Anne says
I think that is a winner then if everyone ate it without complaining. Love it!!!
Kristen says
Off to check it out but I can already tell I’m going to love this recipe. Looks delicious!
Emily says
We love Butter Chicken at our house! My recipe is a little different, I must try it your way and compare.