The Perfect Butter Chicken Recipe That Melts in Your Mouth

Creamy and aromatic butter chicken has been my go-to comfort meal since discovering its magical blend of spices.

Memories of first tasting this North Indian classic still make my mouth water with anticipation.

Tender chicken pieces bathed in a rich, velvety sauce create an irresistible dining experience.

Marinating the meat unlocks deep flavors that dance across your palate with each delightful bite.

Authentic techniques transform simple ingredients into a restaurant-worthy dish you can easily prepare at home.

Fragrant garam masala and smooth tomato gravy promise a culinary adventure that will transport you straight to the streets of delhi.

Ready to become a butter chicken maestro in your own kitchen?

Butter Chicken That Warms the Heart

• Boost Flavor Easily: Marinating chicken in yogurt and spices transforms ordinary meat into a taste explosion, creating layers of delicious complexity without complicated techniques.
• Simplify Cooking Process: Using a single skillet means less cleanup and streamlined cooking, letting you prepare a restaurant-quality meal with minimal kitchen fuss.
• Create Crowd-Pleasing Comfort: This butter chicken delivers rich, creamy flavors that appeal to both adults and kids, making it perfect for family dinners or casual gatherings with friends.
• Master International Cuisine Quickly: Learn an authentic Indian dish that impresses guests and expands your culinary skills without requiring professional chef training.

Ingredients for Creamy Butter Chicken

• Chicken: Tender meat that serves as the main protein for the dish.

• Yogurt: Helps tenderize the chicken and adds a creamy tang.
• Spices: Provides depth of flavor and aromatic seasoning to the chicken.

• Onions, Garlic, Ginger: Aromatic base that creates a rich and flavorful foundation for the sauce.
• Crushed Tomatoes: Adds a tangy and slightly sweet base for the creamy sauce.
• Heavy Cream: Brings a luxurious and smooth texture to the final dish.

• Salt, Pepper, Additional Spices: Enhances the overall flavor profile and balances the dish.

How to Cook Butter Chicken with Ease

Step 1: Whip Up a Flavorful Marinade

Grab your chicken and coat it generously with yogurt. Sprinkle in a blend of warming spices like garam masala, turmeric, cumin, and chili powder.

Let the chicken luxuriate in these flavors for at least 30 minutes, allowing the marinade to tenderize and infuse deep, rich taste.

Step 2: Sizzle and Brown the Chicken

Heat a skillet with a touch of oil over medium-high heat.

Carefully place the marinated chicken pieces, letting them sear until they develop a gorgeous golden-brown exterior. The goal is to lock in those incredible marinade flavors while creating a delightful crispy surface.

Once beautifully browned, transfer the chicken to a waiting plate.

Step 3: Build a Robust Sauce Base

• Finely chopped onions
• Minced garlic
• Grated fresh ginger

Cook until they become soft and release their incredible fragrance.

Pour in crushed tomatoes and sprinkle additional spices. Let the mixture simmer and develop deep, complex flavors for about 10 minutes.

Step 4: Unite Chicken and Sauce

Gently return the browned chicken to the skillet, nestling the pieces into the luscious sauce. Allow everything to simmer together, ensuring the chicken cooks completely and absorbs the sauce’s incredible flavors.

Finish by stirring in velvety heavy cream, which adds a luxurious richness. Taste and adjust seasonings to create your perfect butter chicken.

Step 5: Serve and Enjoy

Transfer the butter chicken to a serving dish. Garnish with fresh cilantro if desired.

Serve alongside fluffy basmati rice or warm naan bread for a truly spectacular meal.

Tips to Perfect Rich and Flavorful Butter Chicken

• Ensure yogurt marinade includes garam masala and lemon juice for deeper flavor penetration.
• Pat chicken dry before sautéing to achieve perfect golden-brown exterior without excess moisture.
• Use fresh tomatoes instead of canned for brighter, more vibrant sauce when in season.
• Balance cream's richness by adding a pinch of kasuri methi (dried fenugreek leaves) for authentic Indian restaurant-style taste.
• Substitute heavy cream with coconut milk for a dairy-free version that maintains creamy texture and complements the spices beautifully.

Flavorful Variations on Butter Chicken

• Vegan Butter Chicken: Replace chicken with tofu or tempeh, use coconut milk instead of cream, and add nutritional yeast for a rich, cheesy flavor.
• Low-Carb Butter Chicken: Swap tomatoes with roasted red peppers, use cauliflower rice instead of regular rice, and add extra cream for richness.
• Spicy Herb Butter Chicken: Increase red chili powder, add fresh cilantro and mint, and incorporate green chilies for an extra kick.
• Dairy-Free Version: Use almond milk or cashew cream instead of heavy cream, choose plant-based yogurt for marination, and ensure all spices are dairy-free.

Pairings That Complement Butter Chicken Beautifully

• Fluffy, fragrant basmati rice perfectly complements the rich, creamy sauce of butter chicken, absorbing all the delicious spices and flavors.
• Refreshing yogurt-based raita with cucumber and mint cuts through the dish's richness, providing a cool contrast to the warm, spicy chicken.
• A medium-bodied red wine like Syrah or Grenache matches the robust spices, balancing the creamy texture and enhancing the meal's complexity.
• Soft, freshly baked naan bread becomes the ideal vehicle for scooping up the luxurious sauce, adding a delightful textural element to each bite.

Storage Suggestions for Butter Chicken

• Refrigerate: Store leftover butter chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days, ensuring the lid is tightly sealed to prevent flavor loss and contamination.
• Freezing: Transfer cooled butter chicken to freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags, removing excess air to prevent freezer burn. Freeze for up to 2-3 months for best quality.
• Microwave Reheating: Place butter chicken in a microwave-safe dish, cover with a damp paper towel to retain moisture, and heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each interval until thoroughly warmed.
• Stovetop Reheating: Gently warm butter chicken in a skillet over low heat, adding a splash of water or cream to restore moisture and prevent sticking, stirring occasionally until heated evenly.

FAQs

• Is butter chicken spicy?

The heat level can be adjusted by reducing or increasing the amount of chili powder or using milder chili varieties. You can customize the spiciness to suit your taste preferences.

• What type of chicken works best for this recipe?

Boneless, skinless chicken thighs or chicken breasts are ideal. Thighs tend to be more tender and flavorful, while breasts are leaner and work well too.

• Can I make butter chicken without a skillet?

Yes, you can use a heavy-bottomed pot or a Dutch oven. The key is to have a cooking vessel that distributes heat evenly and allows for simmering.

Butter Chicken Recipe

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4.6 from 19 reviews

• Total Time: 55 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Irresistible butter chicken delights taste buds with its rich, creamy sauce and tender chicken. North Indian cuisine shines through complex spices and smooth tomato gravy that invites passionate home cooks to savor each memorable bite.

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Ingredients

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• 4 tbsps unsalted butter
• 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts
• 1 cup plain yogurt
• 1 cup crushed tomatoes or tomato puree
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 2 teaspoons garam masala
• 1 teaspoon coriander powder
• 1 teaspoon cumin powder
• 1 teaspoon turmeric powder
• chili powder (to taste)
• salt (to taste)

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Instructions

1. Infuse chicken pieces with a blend of yogurt and aromatic spices, allowing the marinade to tenderize and flavor the meat for a minimum of 30 minutes at room temperature.
2. Heat a skillet over medium-high heat and expertly sear the marinated chicken until it develops a rich, golden-brown exterior, creating a delectable caramelized surface. Transfer the partially cooked chicken to a separate plate.
3. In the same skillet, gently sauté finely chopped onions, minced garlic, and grated ginger until they release their fragrant essence and become translucent.
4. Pour crushed tomatoes into the skillet, incorporating the remaining spices. Reduce heat and let the mixture simmer for approximately 10 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld and concentrate.
5. Carefully reintroduce the seared chicken into the tomato-spice sauce, ensuring each piece is thoroughly coated. Continue simmering until the chicken reaches complete doneness and becomes incredibly tender.
6. Finish the dish by stirring in luxurious heavy cream, which will create a velvety, smooth texture. Taste and fine-tune the seasoning with additional salt or spices as needed before serving hot.

Notes

• Marinate chicken longer for deeper flavor penetration, ideally overnight in the refrigerator for maximum taste absorption.
• Use full-fat yogurt to ensure tender, juicy chicken that doesn’t dry out during cooking.
• For a lighter version, substitute heavy cream with coconut milk or Greek yogurt to reduce calories while maintaining creamy texture.
• Adjust spice levels by reducing or increasing garam masala and red chili powder according to personal heat tolerance.

• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: Indian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 386 kcal
• Sugar: 5 g
• Sodium: 150 mg
• Fat: 28 g
• Saturated Fat: 16 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 0.2 g
• Carbohydrates: 8 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 29 g
• Cholesterol: 110 mg