Quick & Easy Homemade Butter Chicken Recipe

Introduction

This Quick & Easy Homemade Butter Chicken recipe delivers rich, creamy, and flavorful Indian-inspired comfort food in no time. Perfect for busy weeknights, it’s a delicious way to enjoy tender chicken in a savory tomato sauce.

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

Instructions

1. Step 1: In a large bowl, combine the chicken chunks with 1 teaspoon salt, garlic powder, sweet paprika, curry powder, and Greek yogurt. Mix well and let it marinate for at least 15 minutes to enhance the flavors.
2. Step 2: Heat the vegetable oil and 1 tablespoon of butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the marinated chicken and cook until browned and just cooked through, about 5–7 minutes. Remove the chicken and set aside.
3. Step 3: In the same skillet, add the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter. Sauté the minced garlic and diced onion until the onion becomes translucent and soft, about 3–4 minutes.
4. Step 4: Pour in the tomato sauce and stir in the sugar, remaining salt, and black pepper. Let the sauce simmer gently for 5 minutes to blend the flavors.
5. Step 5: Return the cooked chicken to the skillet and stir well to coat it with the sauce. Simmer for another 5 minutes to ensure the chicken is heated through and tender.
6. Step 6: Serve hot with basmati rice or warm naan bread for a satisfying meal.

Tips & Variations

• Use boneless chicken breasts as a leaner alternative, but be careful not to overcook as they can dry out faster.
• For extra creaminess, stir in ¼ cup heavy cream or coconut milk at the end of cooking.
• Add a pinch of chili powder or cayenne pepper for a spicier version.
• Garnish with fresh cilantro and a squeeze of lemon juice to brighten the flavors.

Storage

Store leftover butter chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stove over low heat or in the microwave, adding a splash of water or cream to loosen the sauce if needed.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use chicken breast instead of thighs?

Yes, chicken breasts can be used, but they are leaner and may become dry if overcooked. Cook them carefully and consider marinating longer or adding a bit more yogurt to keep the chicken tender.

Is this recipe gluten-free?

Yes, this recipe is naturally gluten-free as long as you use gluten-free tomato sauce and verify that your spices do not contain any additives with gluten.

Quick & Easy Homemade Butter Chicken Recipe

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★★★★★

4.7 from 245 reviews

This Quick & Easy Homemade Butter Chicken recipe delivers tender, bite-sized pieces of chicken thighs simmered in a rich, flavorful tomato-based sauce enriched with butter and aromatic spices. Perfect for a weeknight dinner, it strikes a balance between creamy and spicy with minimal prep and cooking time, serving as a comforting classic Indian-inspired dish that everyone will love.

• Author: Tara
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings 1x
• Category: Main Course
• Method: Stovetop
• Cuisine: Indian

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Chicken Marinade

• 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

Cooking Ingredients

• 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

Instructions

1. Marinate the Chicken: In a bowl, combine chicken chunks with salt, garlic powder, sweet paprika, curry powder, and Greek yogurt. Mix well and let it marinate for at least 15 minutes to enhance the flavors and tenderize the meat.
2. Heat Oil and Butter: In a large skillet or pan over medium heat, add 3 tablespoons of vegetable oil and 1 tablespoon of butter. Allow the butter to melt and the oil to heat evenly before adding ingredients.
3. Sauté Aromatics: Add the minced garlic and diced onion to the pan and sauté until the onion becomes translucent and soft, which typically takes about 5 minutes. This step builds the base flavor for the sauce.
4. Cook the Chicken: Add the marinated chicken pieces to the pan and cook for about 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the chicken is browned on all sides but not fully cooked through.
5. Add Tomato Sauce and Seasoning: Pour in the 15-ounce can of tomato sauce along with sugar, salt, and black pepper. Stir well to combine all ingredients and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer.
6. Simmer the Sauce: Reduce heat to low, add remaining 2 tablespoons of butter to enrich the sauce, and let everything simmer uncovered for an additional 10-15 minutes. This allows the chicken to cook completely and the flavors to meld, creating a creamy, flavorful butter chicken sauce.
7. Final Taste and Serve: Taste the sauce and adjust salt or pepper as needed. Serve hot with basmati rice or naan bread for a complete meal.

Notes

• Use chicken thighs instead of breasts for juicier, more flavorful results.
• Adjust the curry powder and paprika according to your spice tolerance.
• Greek yogurt tenderizes the chicken and adds moisture, but do not add it directly to hot sauce to avoid curdling.
• Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
• For a richer sauce, consider adding a splash of heavy cream or cashew paste after simmering.

Keywords: butter chicken, easy butter chicken, homemade butter chicken, Indian chicken recipe, quick chicken curry