Homemade Butter Chicken

why make this recipe

This Quick & Easy Homemade Butter Chicken Recipe delivers the rich, creamy flavors of restaurant-style butter chicken with minimal fuss. It’s perfect for weeknights when you want something comforting, flavorful, and fast — using common pantry spices and a short marination to boost flavor without the long wait.

introduction

Butter chicken (murgh makhani) is a beloved Indian dish known for its tender, spiced chicken in a silky tomato-cream sauce. This simplified home version keeps the essential elements — yogurt-marinated chicken, garlic and onion aromatics, tomato sauce, cream, butter, and warming spices — while trimming steps and time so you can get a delicious meal on the table quickly.

how to make Quick & Easy Homemade Butter Chicken Recipe

This method separates sauce and chicken so both cook quickly and keep ideal textures. Marinate bite-sized chicken pieces briefly for flavor, brown them in a skillet, and build a creamy tomato-based sauce in another pan. Finish by combining chicken and sauce with extra butter for shine and richness. The result: tender chicken in a smooth, mildly spiced sauce ready for naan or rice.

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 :

1. In a bowl, mix the chicken with salt, garlic powder, paprika, curry powder, and Greek yogurt. Cover and refrigerate for at least 15 minutes.
2. In a large skillet, heat vegetable oil and 1 tablespoon of butter. Sauté garlic and onion until fragrant. Add tomato sauce, sugar, salt, black pepper, heavy cream, cayenne pepper, garam masala, and curry powder. Simmer for a few minutes.
3. In another pan, cook the marinated chicken until browned and cooked through.
4. Add the cooked chicken to the sauce. Stir in the remaining butter. Simmer for a few more minutes.
5. Garnish with chopped parsley and serve hot with naan bread and steamed rice.

how to serve Quick & Easy Homemade Butter Chicken Recipe

Serve hot over steamed basmati rice or with warm naan to soak up the sauce. Offer lemon wedges and extra chopped parsley or cilantro for brightness. A side of cucumber raita or a simple salad balances the richness.

how to store Quick & Easy Homemade Butter Chicken Recipe

• Refrigerate: Transfer cooled leftovers to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3–4 days.
• Reheat gently on the stovetop over low heat (add a splash of cream or water if the sauce has thickened) or microwave in short bursts.
• Freeze: Freeze cooled portions in freezer-safe containers for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.

tips to make Quick & Easy Homemade Butter Chicken Recipe

• Use thigh meat for juicier, more forgiving results than breast.
• Don’t overcook the chicken in the pan — it will finish cooking in the sauce.
• Taste and adjust seasoning after adding cream; you may need a pinch more salt or sugar depending on your tomato sauce.
• For a smoother sauce, blend the onion-tomato mixture before adding the cream.
• Make it dairy-free by swapping heavy cream for full-fat coconut milk and using vegan butter.

variation (if any)

• Spicier version: increase cayenne or add chopped green chilies.
• Smoky flavor: finish with a small pinch of smoked paprika or a quick tadka of charred dried fenugreek (kasuri methi).
• Paneer or tofu: replace chicken with pan-fried paneer or firm tofu for a vegetarian option.
• Lighter version: use half-and-half instead of heavy cream and reduce butter slightly.

FAQ

Q: Can I marinate the chicken longer?
A: Yes — marinating for 1–2 hours (or overnight) will deepen the flavor, but the recipe works well with a quick 15-minute marination for speed.

Q: Can I use fresh tomatoes instead of canned tomato sauce?
A: You can — blender-purée cooked fresh tomatoes to make about 1 ½ to 2 cups of tomato base; you may need to simmer longer to reach the right consistency.

Q: Is garam masala necessary?
A: It adds characteristic warmth and aroma. If you don’t have it, a pinch of cinnamon plus ground cumin and coriander can be a substitute.

Conclusion

This Quick & Easy Homemade Butter Chicken Recipe is an approachable way to enjoy a creamy, aromatic classic at home; for an alternative quick recipe and additional tips, see Easy 20 Minute Butter Chicken | Gimme Delicious.