Butter Chicken Indian (Printable)
Tender chicken in a silky tomato-butter sauce spiced with garam masala and ginger; serves four.
# What You Need:
→ Marinade
01 - 1.3 pounds boneless chicken thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
02 - 1/2 cup plain yogurt
03 - 1 tablespoon lemon juice
04 - 1 1/2 teaspoons garam masala
05 - 1 teaspoon ground cumin
06 - 1/2 teaspoon ground turmeric
07 - 1 teaspoon chili powder
08 - 1 teaspoon salt
→ Sauce
09 - 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
10 - 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
11 - 1 large onion, finely chopped
12 - 4 cloves garlic, minced
13 - 2 teaspoons fresh ginger, grated
14 - 14 ounces canned crushed tomatoes
15 - 2 teaspoons ground coriander
16 - 1 teaspoon paprika
17 - 1 teaspoon sugar
18 - 1 teaspoon salt, or to taste
19 - 3/4 cup heavy cream
20 - 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro, for garnish
# How-To:
01 - In a large mixing bowl, combine yogurt, lemon juice, garam masala, ground cumin, ground turmeric, chili powder, and salt with the chicken pieces. Toss to coat evenly. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour or up to overnight for optimal flavor.
02 - Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add marinated chicken, discarding any excess marinade. Sear on both sides until lightly browned but not fully cooked, approximately 4 to 5 minutes. Transfer chicken to a plate and set aside.
03 - In the same pan, melt unsalted butter over medium heat. Add chopped onion and cook for 3 to 4 minutes until softened. Stir in minced garlic and grated ginger, sautéing for 1 minute until fragrant.
04 - Add ground coriander and paprika to the pan, stirring for 30 seconds. Pour in crushed tomatoes, sugar, and salt. Simmer uncovered for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until slightly thickened.
05 - Return browned chicken and its juices to the skillet. Stir to coat, cover with a lid, and cook for 12 to 15 minutes until chicken is fully cooked and the sauce is rich and thick.
06 - Reduce heat to low and stir in heavy cream. Simmer for an additional 3 to 4 minutes. Taste and adjust salt if needed. Garnish generously with chopped cilantro before serving hot, accompanied by naan or rice.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- This creamy, tomato-butter sauce transforms everyday chicken into pure comfort—no fancy skills required.
- Even kitchen skeptics have asked for seconds (and for the recipe), so it's a solid crowd-pleaser in disguise.
02 -
- If you rush the marinating step, the flavor never quite sinks in—I learned this the hard way trying to save time once.
- Adding the cream off-heat keeps the sauce from splitting—a tiny detail that makes all the difference for that perfect silkiness.
03 -
- Pre-measure spices and have everything ready before you start—the dish moves fast once you’re at the stove.
- Swirl in an extra spoonful of butter at the end for restaurant-level richness without extra effort.