Butter Chicken
A quick and easy recipe to make delicious, creamy butter chicken at home, perfect for busy weeknights.
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!
Notes
For deeper flavor, consider marinating the chicken overnight. Adjust spice levels to suit your preference. Use fresh garlic and onion for enhanced flavor. For a vegetarian option, replace chicken with paneer.