Quick and Easy Homemade Butter Chicken is a comforting and flavorful dish that many people enjoy. This recipe combines tender chicken with a creamy and spiced sauce. It is simple to make and perfect for a weeknight dinner.
Why You Will Love This Recipe
You will love this recipe for many reasons. First, it is quick to prepare. You can have a delicious meal ready in under an hour. Second, the flavors are rich and satisfying. The blend of spices and creamy sauce makes every bite enjoyable. Third, it is versatile. You can serve it with rice, naan, or other sides. Finally, this dish can easily become a family favorite. It is sure to please everyone at the table.
How to Make Quick & Easy Homemade Butter Chicken
Making Butter Chicken is simple when you follow these steps. This recipe is straightforward and does not require special skills. You will be proud to serve it to family or guests.
Equipment Needed
Before you start, gather your equipment:
- A large bowl for marinating
- A frying pan or skillet
- A wooden spoon for stirring
- A knife and cutting board for chopping
- Measuring cups and spoons
- A serving spoon
Ingredients You’ll Need
To make Quick & Easy Homemade Butter Chicken, you will need the following 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
Step-by-Step Instructions
Follow these easy steps to prepare your Butter Chicken:
Marinate the Chicken
- In a large bowl, add the chicken chunks.
- Sprinkle salt, garlic powder, sweet paprika, and curry powder over the chicken.
- Add the Greek yogurt and mix well to coat the chicken.
- Let it marinate for at least 15 to 30 minutes. The longer you marinate, the more flavor it will have.
Cook the Chicken
- In a large skillet, heat 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil over medium heat.
- Add the marinated chicken to the pan.
- Cook the chicken until it is browned and cooked through, about 5 to 7 minutes.
- Remove the chicken from the skillet and set it aside.
Prepare the Sauce Base
- In the same skillet, add 1 tablespoon of butter.
- Add the diced onion and cook until it becomes soft and translucent, about 3 to 5 minutes.
- Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
Build the Sauce
- Pour in the tomato sauce and mix well.
- Add sugar, salt, and black pepper. Stir to combine.
- Reduce the heat to low and let the sauce simmer for about 5 minutes.
Season and Simmer
- After the sauce has simmered, add the cooked chicken back into the skillet.
- Pour in the heavy cream and stir to combine.
- If you want some heat, add cayenne pepper.
- Mix in garam masala and curry powder.
- Let it simmer for another 10 minutes to let the flavors blend.
Finish with Butter
- Remove the skillet from heat and add the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter.
- Stir until the butter melts into the sauce.
- Adjust the seasoning as needed, adding more salt or pepper to taste.
Serve and Enjoy
- Spoon the Butter Chicken over steamed rice or serve it with naan bread.
- Garnish with fresh parsley if desired.
- Enjoy your meal!
How to Serve Quick & Easy Homemade Butter Chicken
You can serve Butter Chicken in different ways to enjoy its rich flavors. Here are some ideas:
- Serve over a bed of fluffy steamed rice.
- Pair it with warm naan bread for dipping.
- Add a side salad for a fresh contrast.
- Serve it with roasted vegetables for a healthy touch.
Storage & Freezing: Quick & Easy Homemade Butter Chicken
To store leftover Butter Chicken, follow these tips:
- Allow it to cool completely before storing.
- Place it in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 to 4 days.
- For long-term storage, you can freeze it. Use a freezer-safe container or bag.
- When frozen, it can last for 2 to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge before reheating.
Serving Suggestions
Here are some suggestions to make your meal even better:
- Serve with chilled cucumber raita for a refreshing side.
- Add a squeeze of lemon on top for extra zest.
- Pair with a glass of mango lassi to complement the spices.
- Enjoy with a side of lentil dal for a complete Indian feast.
Variations
You can easily customize this recipe to suit your taste:
- Use boneless chicken breasts instead of thighs for a different texture.
- Substitute heavy cream with coconut milk for a lighter option or a different flavor.
- Add vegetables like spinach or bell peppers for more nutrition.
- Make it vegetarian by using paneer or chickpeas in place of chicken.
FAQs
1. Can I use frozen chicken for this recipe?
Yes, you can use frozen chicken, but it is best to thaw it first. This will help in even cooking and marinating.
2. How spicy is this recipe?
This recipe is mild, but you can adjust the cayenne pepper to make it spicier. Start with a little and add more if you like heat.
3. Can I make Butter Chicken in advance?
Yes, Butter Chicken can be made in advance. Store it in the fridge and reheat it before serving. The flavors may develop even more over time!
4. What can I substitute for heavy cream?
You can use half-and-half or whole milk, but the sauce will not be as rich and creamy.
Make-Ahead Tips for Quick & Easy Homemade Butter Chicken
- Marinate the chicken a day ahead. This will save time and enhance flavor.
- Prepare the sauce in advance and store it separately. Combine it with chicken before serving.
- Cook a larger batch and freeze individual portions. This makes dinner easy on busy nights!
By keeping these tips in mind, you can enjoy Quick & Easy Homemade Butter Chicken with less stress and more flavor. Happy cooking!
This authentic butter chicken pairs wonderfully with our Texas Roadhouse butter chicken skillet for those who want to compare traditional and Americanized versions. For a pasta twist on these flavors, try serving it alongside our cowboy butter chicken linguine to explore different butter chicken presentations. The rich, creamy sauce also makes it an excellent complement to our creamy garlic parmesan chicken pasta for cream sauce enthusiasts.
Butter Chicken
Ingredients
Method
- In a large bowl, add the chicken chunks.
- Sprinkle salt, garlic powder, sweet paprika, and curry powder over the chicken.
- Add the Greek yogurt and mix well to coat the chicken.
- Let it marinate for at least 15 to 30 minutes.
- In a large skillet, heat 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil over medium heat.
- Add the marinated chicken to the pan.
- Cook the chicken until it is browned and cooked through, about 5 to 7 minutes.
- Remove the chicken from the skillet and set it aside.
- In the same skillet, add 1 tablespoon of butter.
- Add the diced onion and cook until it becomes soft and translucent, about 3 to 5 minutes.
- Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
- Pour in the tomato sauce and mix well.
- Add sugar, salt, and black pepper. Stir to combine.
- Reduce the heat to low and let the sauce simmer for about 5 minutes.
- After the sauce has simmered, add the cooked chicken back into the skillet.
- Pour in the heavy cream and stir to combine.
- If you want some heat, add cayenne pepper.
- Mix in garam masala and curry powder.
- Let it simmer for another 10 minutes to let the flavors blend.
- Remove the skillet from heat and add the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter.
- Stir until the butter melts into the sauce.
- Adjust the seasoning as needed, adding more salt or pepper to taste.
- Spoon the Butter Chicken over steamed rice or serve it with naan bread.
- Garnish with fresh parsley if desired.
- Enjoy your meal!