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A plate of creamy homemade butter chicken garnished with fresh cilantro, served with steaming basmati rice and naan bread.

Effortless Homemade Butter Chicken: A Weeknight Flavor Escape

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Effortless Homemade Butter Chicken is a quick, flavorful, and comforting dish perfect for weeknights. Tender chicken cooked in a rich, creamy tomato-based sauce infused with aromatic spices delivers authentic Indian flavor with minimal effort. Enjoy this easy butter chicken for a satisfying dinner that’s ready in under 40 minutes.

  • Total Time: 40 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 2 tbsp unsalted butter
  • 1 large onion, finely chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tbsp fresh ginger, minced
  • 1 can (14 oz) crushed tomatoes
  • 1 cup heavy cream or coconut cream
  • 2 tsp garam masala
  • 1 tsp ground cumin
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • 1/2 tsp turmeric powder
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
  • Fresh cilantro for garnish

Instructions

  1. Start by seasoning the chicken pieces with salt, pepper, and a pinch of cumin. Set aside.
  2. In a large skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add chopped onions and cook until translucent, about 5 minutes. Stir in minced garlic and ginger, cooking for another minute.
  3. Add crushed tomatoes, garam masala, cumin, smoked paprika, and turmeric. Simmer for 10 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly.
  4. Incorporate the chicken into the sauce. Cover and cook on low to medium heat until cooked through, about 15 minutes.
  5. Stir in heavy cream or coconut cream, simmer for 5 minutes until the sauce becomes rich and creamy. Adjust salt and pepper to taste.

Notes

  • For extra flavor, garnish with chopped fresh cilantro before serving.
  • Use chicken thighs for juicier, more flavorful results, adjusting cooking time as needed.
  • Make it dairy-free by replacing heavy cream with coconut milk or cashew cream.
  • Author: Emma Bloomfield
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 30 minutes
  • Category: Main Course
  • Method: Stovetop
  • Cuisine: Indian
  • Diet: Gluten-Free

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 plate
  • Calories: 450 kcal Kcal
  • Sugar: 7 g
  • Sodium: 600 mg
  • Fat: 30 g
  • Saturated Fat: 15 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 20 g
  • Fiber: 4 g
  • Protein: 40 g
  • Cholesterol: 120 mg