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Butter Chicken is a creamy, comforting dish that’s full of flavor and surprisingly easy to make. The sauce is rich and smooth, perfectly coating tender pieces of chicken. Serve it with warm naan or steamed rice for a meal that feels special, whether it’s a regular weeknight or a dinner with friends.

Homemade Butter Chicken

Butter Chicken is a creamy, comforting dish that’s full of flavor and surprisingly easy to make. The sauce is rich and smooth, perfectly coating tender pieces of chicken. Serve it with warm naan or steamed rice for a meal that feels special, whether it’s a regular weeknight or a dinner with friends.
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Course: Main Course
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Marinate Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes
Servings: 4 People
Calories: 480kcal
Author: Liora

Ingredients

FOR THE CHICKEN AND MARINADE

  • 1 ½ pounds skinless boneless chicken thighs (cut into bite-sized pieces)
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon sweet paprika
  • ½ teaspoon curry powder
  • 1 tablespoon Greek yogurt

FOR THE BUTTER CHICKEN SAUCE

  • 3 tablespoons vegetable oil
  • 3 tablespoons butter divided
  • 6 garlic cloves minced
  • 1 medium onion diced
  • 1 can tomato sauce 15 ounces
  • 1 teaspoon sugar
  • 1 teaspoon salt adjust to taste
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • 2 cups heavy cream
  • ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper optional, for heat
  • 1 teaspoon garam masala
  • ½ teaspoon curry powder
  • ¼ cup fresh parsley chopped, optional for garnish

TO SERVE

  • Naan bread
  • Steamed rice

Instructions

MARINATE THE CHICKEN

  • In a medium bowl, mix the chicken with salt, garlic powder, sweet paprika, curry powder, and Greek yogurt. Make sure all pieces are coated evenly. Let the chicken sit for at least 15 minutes while preparing the other ingredients.

COOK THE CHICKEN

  • Heat 3 tablespoons of oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the marinated chicken and cook for 8–10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it turns golden and is cooked through. Remove the chicken from the pan and set it aside, keeping the oil in the skillet for the sauce.

PREPARE THE SAUCE BASE

  • Lower the heat to medium and add 1 tablespoon of butter to the skillet. Scrape any browned bits from the pan for extra flavor, adding a splash of water if needed. Add minced garlic, diced onion, and a pinch of salt. Cook until the onion becomes soft and fragrant.

BUILD THE SAUCE

  • Stir in the tomato sauce and sugar. Let it simmer for 2–3 minutes. Return the chicken to the skillet, then pour in the heavy cream. Stir gently until the sauce turns a creamy orange color.

SEASON AND SIMMER

  • Add cayenne pepper (optional), garam masala, curry powder, and black pepper. Let the sauce simmer on low heat for about 10 minutes so the flavors blend well. Taste and add more salt or spices if needed.

FINISH WITH BUTTER

  • Stir in the remaining 2 tablespoons of cold butter. Let it melt into the sauce for a smooth and silky texture. Sprinkle chopped parsley on top if desired.

SERVE AND ENJOY

  • Serve the butter chicken hot with naan bread and steamed rice. Enjoy a creamy, flavorful meal that is simple to make at home!

Notes

  • If the sauce is too thin, mix 1 tablespoon of cornstarch with ⅓ cup of water. Add it to the sauce and let it simmer for about 5 minutes. The sauce will thicken nicely.
Please note that the nutritional values are provided by an online calculator and should be considered as an estimate.

Nutrition

Calories: 480kcal | Carbohydrates: 10g | Protein: 38g | Saturated Fat: 15g | Cholesterol: 150mg | Sodium: 720mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 4g