Butter chicken is a delicious Indian dish that many people love. It is rich, creamy, and full of flavor. Although it sounds fancy, you can make this recipe quickly and easily at home. This guide will show you how to prepare a tasty butter chicken that your family will enjoy.
Why Make This Recipe
Making homemade butter chicken is a great idea for many reasons. First, it is quick and easy to prepare, making it perfect for busy weeknights. Second, you can adjust the spices to suit your taste. Finally, it is a comforting dish that goes well with naan bread and steamed rice. You can impress your family and friends with this delicious meal!
How to Make Quick & Easy Homemade Butter Chicken
Ingredients
- 1 ½ pounds skinless boneless chicken thighs, cut into bite-sized chunks
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon sweet paprika
- ½ teaspoon curry powder
- 1 tablespoon Greek yogurt
- 3 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 3 tablespoons butter (divided)
- 6 garlic cloves (minced)
- 1 medium onion (diced)
- 1 (15-ounce) can tomato sauce
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt (adjust to taste)
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 2 cups heavy cream
- ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional for heat)
- 1 teaspoon garam masala
- ½ teaspoon curry powder
- ¼ cup freshly chopped parsley (optional, for garnish)
- Naan bread
- Steamed rice
Directions
Marinate the Chicken: In a bowl, mix the chicken, salt, garlic powder, sweet paprika, curry powder, and Greek yogurt. Let it marinate for at least 30 minutes.
Cook the Chicken: In a large skillet, heat the vegetable oil over medium-high heat. Add the marinated chicken and cook until the chicken is golden brown. Remove from the skillet and set aside.
Prepare the Sauce Base: In the same skillet, add 2 tablespoons of butter. Then, add the minced garlic and diced onion. Sauté until the onion is soft and golden.
Build the Sauce: Stir in the tomato sauce, sugar, salt, black pepper, and heavy cream. If you want some heat, add the cayenne pepper. Let the sauce simmer for a few minutes.
Season and Simmer: Add the cooked chicken back into the sauce. Sprinkle in the garam masala and curry powder. Simmer everything together for about 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Finish with Butter: Stir in the remaining tablespoon of butter for extra creaminess.
Serve and Enjoy: Serve the butter chicken hot, garnished with parsley. Enjoy it with naan bread and steamed rice!
How to Serve Quick & Easy Homemade Butter Chicken
Serve butter chicken hot in a bowl. You can add a sprinkle of fresh parsley on top for extra color. It goes well with warm naan bread on the side and a scoop of steamed rice. Some people like to serve it with a side salad or a yogurt dip for balance.
How to Store Quick & Easy Homemade Butter Chicken
If you have leftovers, let the butter chicken cool down. Place it in an airtight container and store it in the refrigerator. It will stay fresh for up to 3 days. You can reheat it in the microwave or on the stove. If you want to keep it longer, you can freeze it for up to 2 months. Just make sure to thaw it in the refrigerator before reheating.
Tips to Make Quick & Easy Homemade Butter Chicken
- Marinate Longer: For deeper flavor, consider marinating the chicken overnight.
- Adjust Spice Levels: If you prefer a milder dish, skip the cayenne pepper. You can also increase it if you like more heat!
- Use Fresh Ingredients: Fresh garlic and onion can make a big difference in flavor.
Variation
You can try this butter chicken recipe with paneer (Indian cheese) if you want a vegetarian option. Simply replace the chicken with cubed paneer and follow the same steps. You can also add vegetables like bell peppers or peas for extra nutrition.
FAQs
Q1: Can I use chicken breasts instead of thighs?
A1: Yes, you can use boneless chicken breasts. Just be careful not to overcook them, as they can become dry.
Q2: Is this recipe spicy?
A2: The recipe has some spices, but you can adjust the cayenne pepper to make it less spicy.
Q3: Can I make this dish ahead of time?
A3: Yes, you can prepare it ahead of time and reheat it when you are ready to serve.
Enjoy cooking this quick and easy butter chicken! It’s a wonderful dish that will bring the taste of India to your home.
Butter Chicken
Ingredients
For the Chicken Marinade
- 1.5 pounds skinless boneless chicken thighs, cut into bite-sized chunks
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon sweet paprika
- 0.5 teaspoon curry powder
- 1 tablespoon Greek yogurt
For the Cooking
- 3 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 3 tablespoons butter (divided)
- 6 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 1 15-ounce can tomato sauce
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt (adjust to taste)
- 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 0.5 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional for heat)
- 1 teaspoon garam masala
- 0.5 teaspoon curry powder
- 0.25 cup freshly chopped parsley (optional, for garnish)
For Serving
- Naan bread To serve on the side
- Steamed rice To serve on the side
Instructions
Marinate the Chicken
- In a bowl, mix the chicken, salt, garlic powder, sweet paprika, curry powder, and Greek yogurt. Let it marinate for at least 30 minutes.
Cook the Chicken
- In a large skillet, heat the vegetable oil over medium-high heat. Add the marinated chicken and cook until the chicken is golden brown. Remove from the skillet and set aside.
Prepare the Sauce Base
- In the same skillet, add 2 tablespoons of butter. Then, add the minced garlic and diced onion. Sauté until the onion is soft and golden.
Build the Sauce
- Stir in the tomato sauce, sugar, salt, black pepper, and heavy cream. If you want some heat, add the cayenne pepper. Let the sauce simmer for a few minutes.
Season and Simmer
- Add the cooked chicken back into the sauce. Sprinkle in the garam masala and curry powder. Simmer everything together for about 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Finish with Butter
- Stir in the remaining tablespoon of butter for extra creaminess.
Serve and Enjoy
- Serve the butter chicken hot, garnished with parsley. Enjoy it with naan bread and steamed rice!