The Creamiest Indian Butter Chicken Recipe You’ll Ever Make

Creamy, aromatic spices dance through this beloved butter chicken that captures the soul of Indian cuisine.

The butter chicken recipe blends rich, velvety tomato sauce with tender marinated chicken in a way that melts hearts.

Generations of home cooks have perfected this classic dish, creating layers of complex flavors.

Warm, fragrant spices like garam masala and turmeric infuse each bite with authentic taste.

Marinating the chicken transforms ordinary ingredients into an extraordinary meal that feels like a culinary journey.

Soft, pillowy naan bread becomes the perfect companion to soak up every delicious drop of this sumptuous sauce.

You’ll fall in love with this restaurant-quality recipe that brings the magic of Indian cooking straight to your kitchen.

Indian Butter Chicken: Why It’s a Family Favorite

• Dive into a culinary adventure with this rich and aromatic Indian butter chicken that brings restaurant-quality taste right to your kitchen.
• Prepare a gourmet meal in under half an hour with simple steps and minimal ingredients that even beginner cooks can handle confidently.
• Enjoy a creamy, spice-packed dish that appeals to both kids and adults, making it perfect for family dinners or casual gatherings with friends.
• Easily pair with rice or naan bread, and customize spice levels to suit different preferences, ensuring everyone at the table feels satisfied.

Everything Needed for Butter Chicken Magic

• Chicken: Tender protein that forms the heart of this classic Indian dish.
• Onions: Provide a sweet and aromatic base for the sauce.
• Ginger: Adds a warm, spicy flavor that is essential to Indian cuisine.
• Garlic: Contributes a deep, pungent flavor to the overall dish.

• Garam Masala: A traditional Indian spice blend that gives the dish its signature warmth and depth.
• Chili Powder: Brings a subtle heat and vibrant color to the sauce.
• Cumin: Offers an earthy and slightly nutty undertone to the flavor profile.
• Salt, Black Pepper: Enhance and balance the overall taste of the dish.

• Heavy Cream, Tomato Paste: Create a rich, smooth sauce that coats the chicken with a luxurious texture.

• Vegetable Oil, Butter: Provide a rich base for cooking and add depth to the flavor of the dish.

Kitchen Essentials for Indian Butter Chicken

• Large skillet: Essential for cooking onions, chicken, and creating the rich sauce.
• Cutting board: Needed for chopping onions, ginger, and preparing ingredients.
• Chef's knife: Sharp tool for precise ingredient preparation.
• Wooden spoon or spatula: Perfect for stirring and mixing ingredients while cooking.
• Measuring spoons: Crucial for accurate spice measurements.
• Measuring cups: Helps precisely add cream and other liquid ingredients.
• Serving dish: For presenting the delicious butter chicken over rice or with naan.

Cooking Indian Butter Chicken, Step by Step

Step 1: Sizzle Aromatic Base

Heat vegetable oil and butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat.

Add finely chopped onions and cook until they turn a delicate golden color, which takes about 3-4 minutes.

Introduce minced ginger and garlic, letting them dance and release their fragrant oils for 30 seconds.

Step 2: Spice Up the Chicken

• Tomato paste
• Garam masala
• Chili powder
• Cumin
• Salt
• Black pepper

Stir and cook the chicken until it’s completely done and coated with the spice blend, which takes approximately 5-6 minutes.

Step 3: Create Creamy Sauce

Pour heavy cream into the skillet and let the mixture simmer gently.

Stir occasionally and watch the sauce transform into a rich, velvety consistency.

This process takes around 8-10 minutes.

Step 4: Plate and Enjoy

Generously spoon the luxurious butter chicken over fluffy basmati rice or alongside warm, soft naan bread.

The dish is ready to delight your taste buds with its complex, comforting flavors.

Handy Tips for Rich, Creamy Butter Chicken

• Sauté onions on medium heat to develop a sweet, caramelized flavor without burning, which helps create a rich base for the sauce.
• Adjust chili powder according to your heat tolerance, or use mild paprika for a less spicy version that still maintains authentic flavor.
• Add heavy cream slowly and stir continuously to prevent curdling, ensuring a smooth and silky sauce texture.
• Let chicken sit in yogurt and spices for 30 minutes before cooking to enhance tenderness and deeper spice penetration.
• Use fresh ginger, garlic, and whole spices for a more authentic and vibrant Indian butter chicken experience.

New Twists for Classic Butter Chicken

• Vegan Butter Chicken: Replace chicken with tofu or chickpeas, use coconut cream instead of heavy cream, and substitute ghee with plant-based butter for a completely dairy-free version.
• Low-Carb Butter Chicken: Swap basmati rice with cauliflower rice, use Greek yogurt instead of heavy cream to reduce carbohydrates, and add extra vegetables like bell peppers and spinach.
• Spicy Fusion Butter Chicken: Increase chili powder, add jalapeños, incorporate Thai red curry paste for an extra kick, and serve with cilantro-lime quinoa for a cross-cultural approach.
• Lighter Protein Option: Use grilled chicken breast instead of regular chicken chunks, replace heavy cream with Greek yogurt, and add fresh herbs like mint and parsley for a healthier, fresher profile.

Serving Suggestions for a Festive Meal

• Spice-Packed Plating: Arrange the rich, creamy butter chicken over a bed of fluffy basmati rice, creating a vibrant and appetizing presentation that highlights the dish's golden-orange hues.
• Naan Bread Companion: Serve warm, soft naan bread on the side, perfect for scooping up the luxurious sauce and soaking up every delicious drop of the butter chicken.
• Garnish Galore: Sprinkle fresh chopped cilantro or mint leaves on top, adding a pop of green color and a burst of fresh herb flavor that complements the creamy, spiced chicken.
• Cool Contrast: Pair with a side of cooling raita or cucumber yogurt sauce to balance the dish's warm spices and provide a refreshing counterpoint to the rich, creamy sauce.

Storing Indian Butter Chicken with Care

• Store leftovers in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Seal tightly and keep in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
• Transfer butter chicken to freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags. Seal completely and freeze for up to 3 months. Label with date and contents.
• Move frozen butter chicken to the refrigerator overnight. Never thaw at room temperature to prevent bacterial growth.
• Warm in a skillet over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally. Add a splash of cream or water to restore sauce consistency. Microwave as an alternative, stirring every 30 seconds until heated evenly to 165°F.

FAQs

• Is butter chicken spicy?

The spice level can be adjusted by controlling the amount of chili powder. Typically, it has a mild to moderate heat that’s balanced by the creamy sauce.

• What makes the sauce creamy?

Heavy cream is the key ingredient that creates the rich, smooth texture of butter chicken sauce, giving it a luxurious and velvety consistency.

• Can I use chicken breasts instead of chunks?

Yes, you can use chicken breasts cut into bite-sized pieces. Just ensure they are cooked through and remain tender by not overcooking.

• Do I need special equipment to make this dish?

No special equipment is needed – just a large skillet or pan and basic cooking utensils are sufficient to prepare authentic butter chicken.

Indian Butter Chicken Dish Recipe

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4.8 from 16 reviews

• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Succulent butter chicken blends aromatic spices and tender chicken in a creamy tomato sauce. Culinary enthusiasts savor this classic North Indian delicacy, experiencing rich flavors that invite you to explore Indian cuisine’s depth.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Protein:

• 1.5 pounds (680 grams) boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into chunks

Spices and Seasonings:

• 1 tablespoon garam masala
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• 1 teaspoon cumin
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Cooking Base and Additional Ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 1 medium onion, diced
• 1 teaspoon ginger, minced
• 2–3 cloves garlic, minced
• 4 tablespoons tomato paste
• 1 cup heavy cream

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Instructions

1. Sauté aromatics in a blend of oil and butter over medium-high heat until onions turn translucent and golden, releasing fragrant ginger and garlic notes for approximately 3-4 minutes.
2. Introduce chicken pieces along with robust spices including tomato paste, garam masala, chili powder, cumin, salt, and black pepper. Thoroughly cook chicken until completely opaque and fully developed in flavor, about 5-6 minutes.
3. Incorporate rich, velvety heavy cream and allow the mixture to gently simmer, creating a luxurious, thickened sauce through consistent stirring for 8-10 minutes.
4. Transfer the aromatic butter chicken atop fluffy basmati rice or alongside warm, pillowy naan bread for a complete culinary experience.

Notes

• Boost flavor by marinating chicken in yogurt and spices for at least 2 hours before cooking to tenderize and infuse deeper taste.
• Customize heat levels by adjusting chili powder amount, making the dish mild or spicy according to personal preference.
• Accommodate dietary needs by substituting heavy cream with coconut milk for a dairy-free version or using plant-based chicken alternatives for vegetarian diets.
• Enhance sauce consistency by blending tomatoes instead of using paste for a fresher, more vibrant sauce texture and more authentic flavor profile.

• Prep Time: 5 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Appetizer
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: Indian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 600
• Sugar: 5 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 45 g
• Saturated Fat: 25 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
• Trans Fat: 1 g
• Carbohydrates: 10 g
• Fiber: 0 g
• Protein: 40 g
• Cholesterol: 150 mg