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Quick & Easy Butter Chicken – Creamy Homemade Recipe


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  • Author: Isabella Moretti
  • Total Time: 35 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings 1x

Description

A quick, creamy butter chicken recipe with tender chicken, warm spices, and a silky tomato sauce. An easy Indian-inspired dinner that’s comforting and full of flavor.


Ingredients

Scale

For the Chicken:

  • 1 lb chicken thighs, chopped

  • ¼ cup yogurt (optional)

  • 1 tsp lemon juice

  • 1 tsp grated ginger

  • 1 tsp garlic, minced

  • 1 tsp garam masala

  • ½ tsp turmeric

  • ½ tsp paprika

  • Salt, to taste

For the Sauce:

  • 3 tbsp butter (divided)

  • 1 small onion, diced

  • 1 tbsp ginger, grated

  • 2 cloves garlic, minced

  • 1 tsp garam masala

  • ½ tsp cumin

  • ½ tsp paprika

  • 1 cup tomato puree

  • ½ tsp salt

  • ½ tsp sugar

  • ¾ cup heavy cream or coconut milk

  • Cilantro for garnish


Instructions

  1. Marinate chicken with yogurt, lemon, spices, garlic, and ginger. Let sit 15–30 minutes.

  2. In skillet, heat 1 tbsp butter. Brown chicken 5–6 mins. Set aside.

  3. In same pan, melt 2 tbsp butter. Sauté onion until soft.

  4. Add ginger, garlic, spices. Cook 1 minute.

  5. Stir in tomato puree, salt, sugar. Simmer 8–10 mins.

  6. Add cream and chicken. Simmer another 8–10 mins until thickened.

  7. Garnish with cilantro and serve with rice or naan.

Notes

  • Use ghee for traditional flavor.

  • Double sauce if serving with rice.

  • Store leftovers up to 4 days or freeze for 2 months.

  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 25 minutes
  • Category: Main
  • Cuisine: Indian-Inspired

Nutrition

  • Calories: ~420 per serving