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Quick & Easy Homemade Butter Chicken Recipe

Quick & Easy Homemade Butter Chicken

Creamy, spiced butter chicken with tender chicken thighs in rich tomato-cream sauce. Restaurant-quality Indian comfort food ready in under 1 hour.
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings: 4 portions
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: Asian, Indian
Calories: 645

Ingredients
  

  • 1.5 pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs cut into bite-sized chunks
  • 1 teaspoon salt for marinade
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon sweet paprika
  • 0.5 teaspoon curry powder for marinade
  • 1 tablespoon Greek yogurt
  • 3 tablespoons vegetable oil
  • 3 tablespoons butter divided
  • 6 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 medium onion diced
  • 15 ounces tomato sauce 1 can
  • 1 teaspoon sugar
  • 1 teaspoon salt adjust to taste
  • 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
  • 2 cups heavy cream
  • 0.5 teaspoon cayenne pepper optional for heat
  • 1 teaspoon garam masala
  • 0.5 teaspoon curry powder for sauce
  • 0.25 cup fresh parsley chopped, optional for garnish

Equipment

  • Large skillet
  • Medium mixing bowl
  • Cutting board
  • Knife
  • Wooden spoon

Method
 

  1. Combine chicken, salt, garlic powder, sweet paprika, curry powder, and Greek yogurt in a medium bowl. Mix thoroughly until every piece is coated evenly. Let marinate for at least 15 minutes while dicing onion and mincing garlic.
  2. Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add marinated chicken in a single layer and cook for 8 to 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until golden brown and internal temperature reaches 165°F. Transfer chicken to a plate, leaving oil in pan.
  3. Reduce heat to medium and add 1 tablespoon butter to the skillet. Scrape up browned bits from bottom of pan, adding 1 to 2 tablespoons water if needed. Add minced garlic and diced onion with a pinch of salt. Sauté for 3 to 4 minutes until onion is translucent and fragrant.
  4. Stir in tomato sauce and sugar. Let simmer for 2 to 3 minutes. Return chicken to skillet and mix well. Pour in heavy cream slowly, stirring as sauce transforms to a peachy-orange color.
  5. Add cayenne pepper if using, garam masala, curry powder, and black pepper. Reduce heat to low and simmer for 10 minutes. Sauce should coat the back of a spoon. Taste and adjust salt as needed.
  6. Remove from heat and stir in remaining 2 tablespoons cold butter until completely melted. The cold butter prevents cream separation and creates glossy finish. Garnish with fresh parsley if desired. Serve hot with naan bread and steamed rice.

Notes

Chicken thighs stay juicier than breasts. For dairy-free version, substitute coconut cream. Sauce thickens when stored; add splash of cream when reheating. Freezes well for up to 2 months. Can marinate chicken up to 4 hours for deeper flavor.