Butter Chicken
A quick and easy recipe for a rich and creamy butter chicken that brings the flavors of Indian cuisine to your home, perfect for weeknight dinners.
Ingredients
For the chicken marinade
- 1.5 pounds skinless, boneless chicken thighs, cut into bite-sized chunks
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon sweet paprika
- 0.5 teaspoon curry powder
- 1 tablespoon Greek yogurt
For cooking
- 3 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 3 tablespoons butter (divided)
- 6 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 medium onion, diced
For the sauce
- 1 15-ounce can tomato sauce
- 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
- 0.25 cup freshly chopped parsley (optional, for garnish)
For serving
- Naan bread
- Steamed rice
Instructions
Marinate the Chicken
- In a bowl, combine the chicken pieces with salt, garlic powder, sweet paprika, curry powder, and Greek yogurt. Mix well and let it marinate for at least 30 minutes.
Cook the Chicken
- In a large skillet over medium-high heat, add vegetable oil. Once hot, add the marinated chicken in a single layer. Cook until browned and cooked through (about 6-8 minutes). Remove from the skillet and set aside.
Prepare the Sauce Base
- In the same skillet, add 2 tablespoons of butter. Once melted, add minced garlic and diced onion. Sauté until the onion becomes translucent.
Build the Sauce
- Pour in the tomato sauce, sugar, salt, black pepper, heavy cream, cayenne pepper (if using), garam masala, and curry powder. Stir well to combine.
Season and Simmer
- Bring the sauce to a simmer. Add the cooked chicken back to the skillet and let it cook in the sauce for about 10 minutes to absorb the flavors.
Finish with Butter
- Stir in the remaining tablespoon of butter for a rich finish. Adjust seasoning to taste.
Serve and Enjoy
- Serve the butter chicken over steamed rice or with warm naan bread. Garnish with freshly chopped parsley if desired.
Notes
For a quicker meal, you can use pre-cooked chicken or rotisserie chicken. If you like it spicy, add more cayenne pepper or even diced green chilies. Experiment with different herbs like cilantro for a fresh twist. Make sure not to overcook the chicken to keep it tender and juicy.