Creamy, cozy, weeknight favorite
This Quick & Easy Homemade Butter Chicken is the perfect solution for busy nights when you want bold flavor without spending hours in the kitchen. Tender chicken is simmered in a rich, creamy tomato sauce infused with warm spices, garlic, and butter for that classic restaurant-style taste—made right at home. This easy butter chicken recipe uses simple ingredients and comes together fast, making it ideal for weeknight dinners, meal prep, or cozy family meals. Serve it with fluffy rice or warm naan, and you’ve got a comforting, crowd-pleasing dinner everyone will love.
⏱️ Time Breakdown
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Servings: 4
📝 Ingredients List
- 1½ lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts, cut into bite-size pieces
- 2 tablespoons olive oil or butter
- 1 small onion, finely diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated (or 1 teaspoon ground ginger)
- 1 tablespoon garam masala
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- ½ teaspoon turmeric
- ½ teaspoon chili powder (adjust to taste)
- 1 cup tomato sauce or crushed tomatoes
- ¾ cup heavy cream
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- Salt, to taste
- Fresh cilantro, chopped (for garnish)
✨ Kitchen Tools You’ll Need
This recipe doesn’t require fancy gadgets, just a few reliable kitchen basics to keep everything simple and stress-free.
- Large skillet or sauté pan
- Sharp knife
- Cutting board
- Measuring cups & spoons
- Wooden spoon or spatula
🍗 Step-by-Step Beginner-Friendly Instructions
- Heat the pan: Warm olive oil or butter in a large skillet over medium heat 😊.
- Cook the chicken: Add chicken pieces and cook for 5–6 minutes, stirring occasionally, until lightly golden. Remove and set aside.
- Build flavor: In the same pan, add onion and cook 3 minutes until soft. Stir in garlic and ginger; cook 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Add spices: Sprinkle in garam masala, paprika, cumin, turmeric, and chili powder. Stir for 1 minute to bloom the spices 🌶️.
- Simmer the sauce: Pour in tomato sauce and simmer for 5 minutes until slightly thickened and glossy.
- Make it creamy: Stir in heavy cream and butter until smooth and rich ✨.
- Finish cooking: Return chicken to the pan and simmer 5–7 minutes until fully cooked and coated in sauce. Season with salt to taste.
- Garnish & serve: Sprinkle with fresh cilantro and serve hot.
💡 Pro Tips
- Extra rich: Use chicken thighs for juicier, more flavorful results.
- Milder heat: Skip chili powder for a kid-friendly version.
- Meal prep: This dish tastes even better the next day—store up to 4 days refrigerated.
- Dairy swap: Use coconut cream for a dairy-free option.
🍚 Serving Ideas
Serve your butter chicken with:
- Steamed basmati rice
- Warm naan or flatbread
- Cucumber yogurt sauce
- Roasted cauliflower or green beans
