Butter Chicken Recipe (2024)

35 minutes

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4.89 from 60 votes

by Lisa Longley

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posted: 05/19/21

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy

Jump to Recipe

by Lisa Longley

|

posted: 05/19/21

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy

Jump to Recipe

This Butter Chicken Recipe is so easy and so delicious. It’s the perfect weeknight meal. Better than take out, you’ll love making this Indian Butter Chicken at home!

Butter Chicken Recipe (2)
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We are such huge fans of Indian cooking around here, the flavors and spices are always so perfect. Nathan and I love getting chicken dishes, especially the ones where the chicken is tender and come with a lot of sauce that we can eat with rice and warm pieces of naan. The saucier the recipe, the better.

This take on Indian Butter Chicken is an absolute favorite in our house. Every single person in my family loves it and it is on the menu at least twice every month. That’s truly saying something for a mom that is regularly developing new recipes for work.

While this recipe may vary a little from traditional butter chicken, I am certain it will become a favorite in your house as well.

READER REVIEW

“This recipe has become a go to for my family! My husband loves requesting it. It’s super easy to make and delicious so thank you!”

Butter Chicken Recipe (3)

How to Make Butter Chicken

This is a brief overview of how to make this delicious recipe. For the full recipe see the recipe card at the bottom of the post.

  1. Sauté the onions in oil. One of the keys to this recipe is to really let the onions cook down first before you add anything else. Allowing them to cook down first prevents the chicken from over cooking and the garlic from burning.
  2. Melt in the butter. After the butter is melted, add in the garlic and ginger and cook until just fragrant.
  3. Add in the chicken. These bite sized pieces of chicken will only need a minute or two. You want them to just cook on the outside but there is no need to cook them all the way through as they will finish cooking with the sauce.
  4. Season the dish. Now add in the garam masala, chili powder, salt and black pepper.
  5. Make the sauce. Stir in tomato puree, tomato paste, lemon juice, yogurt and half and half. Allow the sauce to simmer, cooking down for 10 minutes. There will still be lots of sauce left perfect for covering rice and dipping naan.
Butter Chicken Recipe (4)

Butter Chicken Without Cream

A lot of Butter Chicken recipes call for cream, but I opted out in this version. Instead I used yogurt and half and half, which give you the nice creaminess you are looking for without the heavy cream.

Half and Half

Half and half is a product sold in the United States that is literally just half heavy cream and half whole milk. If you are making this outside of the U.S. you can substitute the 1 cup half and half with 1/2 a cup heavy cream and 1/2 a cup whole milk.

Butter Chicken Recipe (5)

Garam Masala

Garam masala is a spice blend that is used in a lot of traditional Indian cooking. It gives the recipe a little bit of a kick and a delicious signature flavor that really can’t be found using anything else. It’s a spice blend, the same way that Italian Seasoning is a blend of spices. The spices used vary from brand to brand but often contain the following:

  • Black Pepper
  • Bay Leaves
  • Nutmeg
  • Cumin
  • Pimento
  • Cloves
  • Black Cardamom
  • Coriander

How to Serve Butter Chicken

We love this served over basmati rice. The recipe creates a decent amount of sauce, which we love, that makes each bite of rice delectable. We like to serve this with a side of naan bread and we garnish it with a bit of cilantro.

Storing Leftovers

Leftover butter chicken can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to five days. I like to store it separate from the rice it is served with. Be sure to only reheat the food that you plan on eat.

Because of the dairy in this recipe, this isn’t a dish I would recommend for the freezer. As with all recipes, use your best discretion when it comes to leftovers.

FAQ

What can I use instead of garam masala?

I would really encourage you to go out and buy some Garam Masala for this recipe. Without it, the dish won’t have the same flavor.

Is butter chicken spicy?

I don’t think this dish is spicy, but as written my kids find it has a bit of a kick. Surprisingly, it is the black pepper that makes this dish a bit spicy. If you are making this for picky eaters, I would suggest only adding a pinch of pepper instead of the whole amount.

Butter Chicken Recipe (6)

Other 30 minute Chicken Recipes

  • My Cajun Chicken Alfredo will become another favorite. It is full of delicious yet easy flavors.
  • Our Chicken Salad is a recipe you should double so you have leftovers to take to work the following day.
  • Just like with my butter chicken, these Chicken Lettuce Wraps have the taste of take out in the comfort and ease of your own home.

If you make any of these great chicken recipes, leave me a comment and let me know what you think!

Butter Chicken Recipe (7)

Butter Chicken Recipe

Serves: 4 people

(tap # to scale)

Prep: 10 minutes minutes

Cook: 25 minutes minutes

Total: 35 minutes minutes

This Butter Chicken Recipe is so easy and so delicious. It's the perfect weeknight meal. Better than take out, you'll love making this Indian Butter Chicken at home!

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Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 yellow onion diced small
  • 1/4 cup unsalted butter
  • 1 tablespoon grated fresh ginger
  • 2 cloves garlic
  • 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts diced into bit sized pieces
  • 1 tablespoon garam masala read about garam masala here
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 8 ounces tomato sauce
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 2 teaspoons lemon juice
  • 1/4 cup plain yogurt
  • 1 cup half and half read about half and half here

Instructions

  • In a large skillet, heat extra virgin olive oil.Add diced onions to the pan and stir regularly, cooking until the onions are translucent, 5 to 7 minutes.

    1 tablespoon olive oil, 1 yellow onion

  • Add the butter and allow it to melt completely. Then stir in the ginger and garlic, cooking for about 30 seconds to a minute or until fragrant. Be careful not to burn it.

    1/4 cup unsalted butter, 1 tablespoon grated fresh ginger, 2 cloves garlic

  • Add the chicken and cook, stirring often until the chicken is no longer pink on the outside, about 2 minutes. No need to cook it all the way through as it will continue cooking as you add the rest of the ingredients and simmer the recipe.

    1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts

  • Now stir in the garam masala, chili powder, salt and black pepper.Then pour in the tomato sauce, tomato paste, lemon juice, yogurt and half and half. Stir to combine fully. Bring to a simmer and cook for about 10 minutes to allow the sauce to reduce.

    1 tablespoon garam masala, 1 teaspoon chili powder, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, 8 ounces tomato sauce, 2 tablespoons tomato paste, 2 teaspoons lemon juice, 1/4 cup plain yogurt, 1 cup half and half

  • The sauce will reduce but still be quite saucy. Serve with rice and naan.

Calories: 401kcal (20%) Carbohydrates: 17g (6%) Protein: 31g (62%) Fat: 24g (37%) Saturated Fat: 13g (81%) Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g Monounsaturated Fat: 8g Cholesterol: 121mg (40%) Sodium: 435mg (19%) Potassium: 532mg (15%) Fiber: 2g (8%) Sugar: 8g (9%) Vitamin A: 1050IU (21%) Vitamin C: 39.6mg (48%) Calcium: 120mg (12%) Iron: 2.2mg (12%)

Author: Lisa Longley

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: Indian

Butter Chicken Recipe (8)

did you make this

Butter Chicken Recipe

I’d love to see what you made! Tag me @lisasimplejoy and hashtag it #simplejoyrecipes!

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Hi! I'm Lisa Longley, and I am committed to giving you simple dinner ideas and recipes that are easy to make; recipes that will fill your home with joy. I am the owner and author of SimpleJoy.com and I'm so glad that you are here.

Reader Interactions

    LEAVE A COMMENT

  1. RuthD says

    Butter Chicken Recipe (16)
    Never had tried it or made it, wanted something different and this hit it out of the park. Awesome meal for cozy nights at home and for those of us who love to venture out on our tongues. Easy, hearty, spicy, but not hot, and really really great as left overs.

    Reply

    • Butter Chicken Recipe (17)Lisa Longley says

      I’m so glad that you liked this as much as we do!

      Reply

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Butter Chicken Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is butter chicken sauce made of? ›

Water, Tomato, Cream, Unsalted butter, Vegetable oil, Sugar, Modified corn starch, Concentrated tomato purée, Spices, Dried onion, Ginger, Garlic, Salt, Lactic acid (acidulant), Paprika extract, Citric acid (acidulant), Dried fenugreek leaf.

What is butter chicken called in America? ›

What Is Butter Chicken? Tikka masala became popular in America as butter chicken after Indian restaurants began serving it with a side of white rice instead of basmati. The dish doesn't always include chicken, but it's called chicken-tikka or chicken-curry when it does.

Why do people like butter chicken so much? ›

This dish traces its roots back to Northern India in the city of Amritsar. This tasty recipe has become famous among foodies around the world, and one of the main reasons behind this popularity is its simplicity in preparation and pleasing taste when eaten.

Are Tikka Masala and butter chicken the same? ›

Butter chicken is a traditional Indian dish that is rich and creamy with a subtle smoky flavor. At the same time, tikka masala is a British Indian dish with a more complex flavor profile with tangy and spicy notes. Butter chicken is generally sweeter and milder in spiciness, while tikka masala is tangy and spicy.

What thickens butter chicken sauce? ›

6 ways on how to thicken your curry sauce
  • Reduction: One of the most common methods to thicken a curry sauce is by reducing it. ...
  • Roux: A roux is a classic French technique that works wonders in thickening curry sauces. ...
  • Cornstarch slurry: ...
  • Coconut milk or cream: ...
  • Yoghurt or heavy cream: ...
  • Pureed vegetables:
Oct 19, 2023

Can I use sour cream instead of yogurt for butter chicken? ›

Ingredients You'll Need

You can sub it with chicken thighs. Yogurt – Plain yogurt or sour cream will work. Spices – I used a blend of Ground Coriander, Cumin, Smoked Paprika, Turmeric and Garam Masala (For information on garam masala, keep scrolling!)

Which is healthier, butter chicken or tikka masala? ›

Butter chicken is a healthier option than tikka masala. Tikka masala has a shocking 400–500 calories per serving on average, but a serving of butter chicken may have 438 calories. If you're concerned with the amount of fat it has, you can always switch to low-fat substitutes for butter and heavy cream.

Is tikka masala better than butter chicken? ›

Butter Chicken is much more creamy and rich due to the addition of a generous amount of butter. The Butter Chicken sauce is pureed until smooth, while Chicken Tikka Masala keeps the tomatoes and onions in chunks to add more texture to the sauce. And, Butter Chicken is much less spicy than Chicken Tikka Masala.

What does tikka mean? ›

The word tikka (tike in Turkish, and tikə in Azerbaijani) is a Persian word, meaning "bits" or "pieces". It is also a chicken dish served in Punjabi cuisine.

What race eats butter chicken? ›

Butter chicken, traditionally known as murgh makhani (pronounced [mʊrɣ ˈməkʰaːni]), is an Indian dish originating in Delhi. It is a type of curry made from chicken with a spiced tomato and butter (makhan) sauce.

Is butter chicken better with rice or naan? ›

Basmati rice: Butter chicken is traditionally served with basmati rice on the side. Garlic naan bread: You can't go past the homemade naan bread recipe below. Serve the curry with rice and mop up the decadent sauce with naan for a restaurant-style dinner from the comfort of your own home.

What are the disadvantages of butter chicken? ›

Both butter and cream are high in saturated fat. High intakes of saturated fat increase blood cholesterol levels and risk of heart disease. Keep your daily saturated fat intake to less than 10 percent of calories, or about 22 grams per day on a 2,000-calorie diet, according to the Cleveland Clinic.

Is chicken vindaloo the same as butter chicken? ›

Since chicken vindaloo is not a creamy dish like the butter chicken or a korma, I prefer to use onions & tomatoes either processed or pureed. If you use them chopped, you will have a chunky sauce.

Is butter chicken healthy? ›

Butter chicken consists of approximately 30 grams of protein per serving. As a result, one serving of butter chicken makes up more than half of your daily protein consumption. Is butter chicken healthy? Butter chicken is high in fat and protein and, so, a keto-friendly recipe.

What does tikka masala mean in English? ›

/ˌtɪkə məˈsɑːlə/ [uncountable, countable] ​(in British cooking) a mild Indian-style dish made with pieces of meat, usually chicken, cooked in a sauce with cream and spices.

Is butter chicken sauce made of chicken? ›

Butter chicken sauce is made of sauteed onions, tomato puree, and lots of spices. It's finished at the end with a smattering of heavy cream and some fenugreek leaves.

What is the flavor profile of butter chicken? ›

Butter chicken tends to be sweeter, aromatic, and slightly tangy. The dish also tends to be creamier than tikka masala. Tikka masala, on the other hand, often has chiles, adding more spice and peppery notes. The chicken is also cooked and marinated in yogurt and half and half, creating tangier pieces of chicken.

Does butter chicken contain cream? ›

Place chicken in the fry pan and cook for around 3 minutes, or until the chicken is white all over (it doesn't really brown because of the Marinade). Sauce: Add the tomato passata, cream, sugar and salt. Also add any remaining marinade left in the bowl. Turn down to low and simmer for 20 minutes.

Is butter chicken curry the same as butter chicken? ›

In my opinion, both are curries with different taste profiles. Butter chicken is mostly made up of tomatoes has a thick and creamy consistency. While the chicken curry is made up of onion, spices, and yogurt with a much spicier and thinner base.

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