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Quick & Easy Homemade Butter Chicken

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Quick & Easy Homemade Butter Chicken is a creamy, flavorful Indian-inspired dish made with tender chicken in a spiced tomato cream sauce. Perfect for weeknight dinners, it’s rich, comforting, and comes together in under an hour.

Ingredients

  • 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts, cut into chunks
  • 1/2 cup plain yogurt
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tbsp fresh ginger, minced
  • 2 tsp garam masala
  • 1 tsp ground cumin
  • 1 tsp ground turmeric
  • 1 tsp ground coriander
  • 1 tsp chili powder or paprika
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 3 tbsp butter, divided
  • 1 medium onion, finely chopped
  • 1 1/2 cups tomato puree or crushed tomatoes
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream
  • Optional: 1 tsp sugar, fresh cilantro for garnish

Instructions

  1. Marinate chicken with yogurt, garlic, ginger, and half the spices (garam masala, cumin, turmeric, coriander, chili powder, salt). Let sit for 20–30 minutes.
  2. Heat 1 tbsp butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Cook marinated chicken until lightly browned but not fully cooked through. Remove and set aside.
  3. In the same skillet, add 1 tbsp butter and sauté chopped onion until soft and golden.
  4. Stir in remaining spices, then add tomato puree. Simmer for 5–7 minutes until slightly thickened.
  5. Return chicken to the skillet. Stir well and simmer until chicken is fully cooked, about 10 minutes.
  6. Lower heat, stir in cream, and simmer 3–5 minutes until sauce is rich and velvety. Add sugar if needed to balance acidity.
  7. Garnish with chopped cilantro and serve hot with rice or naan.

Notes

  • Use coconut milk for a dairy-free version.
  • Add green chili for extra spice, or lemon juice for brightness.
  • Swap cream for Greek yogurt for a lighter sauce.
  • Pre-made butter chicken spice mix works in a pinch.
  • Great for meal prep—keeps well and reheats beautifully.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://cookedbymaya.com/quick-easy-homemade-butter-chicken/