why make this recipe
Butter chicken is a beloved dish that brings warmth and comfort to any meal. This quick and easy homemade version allows you to create this rich and creamy dish in no time. With tender chicken in a delicious sauce, you’ll impress your family and friends without spending hours in the kitchen. Plus, it’s perfect for a weeknight dinner!
how to make Quick & Easy Homemade Butter Chicken
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
- 2 cups heavy cream
- ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional for heat)
- 1 teaspoon garam masala
- ½ teaspoon curry powder
- ¼ cup freshly chopped parsley (optional, for garnish)
- Naan bread
- Steamed rice
Directions :
- Marinate the Chicken: In a bowl, mix the chicken chunks with salt, garlic powder, sweet paprika, curry powder, and Greek yogurt. Allow it to marinate for at least 30 minutes.
- Cook the Chicken: Heat vegetable oil in a large pan over medium-high heat. Add the marinated chicken and cook until browned (about 5-7 minutes). Remove from the pan and set aside.
- Prepare the Sauce Base: In the same pan, melt 2 tablespoons of butter. Add minced garlic and diced onion. Sauté until the onion is translucent.
- Build the Sauce: Stir in the tomato sauce, sugar, salt, and black pepper. Mix well and let it simmer for a few minutes.
- Season and Simmer: Return the chicken to the pan. Add heavy cream, cayenne pepper (if using), garam masala, and additional curry powder. Stir and let it cook for about 10-15 minutes, letting the flavors meld together.
- Finish with Butter: Stir in the remaining tablespoon of butter until melted and blended into the sauce.
- Serve and Enjoy: Serve the butter chicken hot, garnished with parsley, alongside naan bread and steamed rice.
how to serve Quick & Easy Homemade Butter Chicken
Serve the butter chicken with warm naan bread or over a bed of steamed rice. The creamy sauce is perfect for dipping bread or soaking into the rice, making every bite flavorful and satisfying.
how to store Quick & Easy Homemade Butter Chicken
To store leftovers, let the butter chicken cool completely. Place it in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days. If you want to keep it longer, you can freeze it for up to 3 months. To reheat, simply warm it on the stove over low heat or in the microwave until hot.
tips to make Quick & Easy Homemade Butter Chicken
- Marinate Longer: For even more flavor, marinate the chicken for a few hours or overnight in the fridge.
- Adjust Spice Level: If you prefer milder flavors, reduce or skip the cayenne pepper and adjust the spices to your liking.
- Add Vegetables: Consider adding vegetables such as spinach or peas to the sauce for added nutrition.
variation (if any)
You can try using different proteins like chicken breast, shrimp, or even tofu for a vegetarian version. Additionally, you can experiment with various spices to customize the flavor profile to your taste.
FAQs
1. Can I use chicken breast instead of thighs?
Yes, chicken breast can be used; however, it may turn out a bit drier than thighs.
2. Is this recipe kid-friendly?
Yes, this recipe is generally mild and can be adjusted to fit your child’s taste by reducing spices.
3. Can I make this recipe in advance?
Absolutely! You can prepare the dish a day ahead and reheat it when you’re ready to serve, which can help deepen the flavors.
Quick & Easy Homemade Butter Chicken
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Indian
- Diet: Non-Vegetarian
Description
A simple and satisfying version of the classic butter chicken, cooked with tender chicken in a rich and creamy sauce, perfect for weeknight dinners.
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
- 2 cups heavy cream
- ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional for heat)
- 1 teaspoon garam masala
- ½ teaspoon curry powder
- ¼ cup freshly chopped parsley (optional, for garnish)
- Naan bread
- Steamed rice
Instructions
- In a bowl, mix the chicken chunks with salt, garlic powder, sweet paprika, curry powder, and Greek yogurt. Allow it to marinate for at least 30 minutes.
- Heat vegetable oil in a large pan over medium-high heat. Add the marinated chicken and cook until browned (about 5-7 minutes). Remove from the pan and set aside.
- In the same pan, melt 2 tablespoons of butter. Add minced garlic and diced onion. Sauté until the onion is translucent.
- Stir in the tomato sauce, sugar, salt, and black pepper. Mix well and let it simmer for a few minutes.
- Return the chicken to the pan. Add heavy cream, cayenne pepper (if using), garam masala, and additional curry powder. Stir and let it cook for about 10-15 minutes, letting the flavors meld together.
- Stir in the remaining tablespoon of butter until melted and blended into the sauce.
- Serve the butter chicken hot, garnished with parsley, alongside naan bread and steamed rice.
Notes
For extra flavor, marinate the chicken for a few hours or overnight. You can also add vegetables like spinach or peas for added nutrition.