Creamy Butter Chicken is one of the world’s most beloved dishes. And, for good reason, too! Tender chunks of chicken are bathed in a creamy, tomato-based sauce that is both rich and packed with amazing flavor. This fantastic dish strikes a perfect balance between hearty and aromatic spices. Because it’s so easy to throw together, its a perfect family recipe for both quick weeknight dinners and easy meal prep for the week to come.
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Whether you crave the warm spices on a cold evening or a comforting meal on a busy day, Creamy Butter Chicken is sure to satisfy your taste buds. This phenomenal combination of yogurt and spice-infused chicken, simmered in a velvety sauce enriched with a healthy splash of heavy cream, turns this recipe into a celebration of flavors.
I love to serve my butter chicken with a healthy scoop of perfectly steamed rice and warmed garlic naan. It’s a dish that doesn’t just feed the body and hungry bellies, but also warms the heart. This recipe will be a family favorite in no time. Promise.
Should you make this Butter Chicken recipe? Please do. I am begging you. I didn’t grow up eating dishes like this, but once I started playing with the spices, I was hooked. The flavors are out of this world, the process is simple, and this dish is perfect for anytime of the year.
I love it, my family loves it, and I hope that you will, too!
butter chicken ingredients
- butter or ghee
- avocado oil
- boneless, skinless chicken thighs
- plain yogurt
- garlic
- fresh ginger
- garam masala
- cumin
- turmeric
- chili powder
- onions
- canned whole tomatoes
- chicken broth
- coriander
- fenugreek
- kosher salt
- fresh ground pepper
- heavy cream
- chicken broth, optional
how to make butter chicken
the chicken and marinade
One of the beautiful things about butter chicken, besides the fact that it is one of the most wonderfully flavorful recipes you’ll ever make, is that is so simple to put together. Make this once and your family will be singing your praises and requesting it on repeat from now on.
To begin, simply mix the marinade together and toss in the chicken. Allow for at least 30 minutes or up to over night so that the flavors get in there and get nicey-nice.
After the marination situation, sear the chicken pieces in a large skillet. You want the chicken to get slightly charred to help with the flavors in the sauce later on. Once the chicken is seared on all sides, remove it from the pan. Don’t worry, we will finish cooking it in the sauce.
the sauce
Now, for the sauce. The lovely, buttery, creamy sauce that is the thing dreams are made of. I could bathe in this stuff. But, I digress.
For the Butter Chicken Sauce, add the onion, garlic, and ginger to the same skillet you cooked the chicken in. Let those start to soften and become fragrant. Then add the whole tomatoes, chicken broth, and the spices. Let this simmer for at least 15-20 minutes. You want the liquid in this to reduce and become very thick.
After the sauce is reduced, add the chicken back in along with the heavy cream. Allow this to simmer until the chicken is cooked through. Taste for salt and pepper, adding any if you so desire. If you would like your sauce a little thinner, simply add a little more chicken broth.
All that’s left to do is spoon this wonderful, Creamy Butter Chicken over simply prepared rice and grab a warmed garlic naan. I like to garnish with a little cilantro and some plain yogurt. Try not to shovel it in all at once. It will be hard, but try to retain a slight level of decorum. Also, do as I say, not as I do. I scarf.
frequently asked questions
This creamy butter chicken recipe is 100% gluten-free. No need to make any substitutions.
This recipe can easily be made with dairy-free by using avocado oil instead of butter. Also, you can swap out coconut milk for the heavy cream. The end result will be amazing.
Garam Masala is a wonderful blend of spices that help give many Indian dishes its wonderful warmth. There are many varieties out there. Try several and choose your favorite!
Naan is a traditional Indian flat bread and it is amazing. I keep these in the freezer at all times. Not only are the perfect for dipping into the Creamy Butter Chicken, but they make an easy and fun base for individual pizzas!
serving suggestions
I serve my butter chicken with a simple basmati rice. If you’re looking to watch out for the carbs, a Mashed Cauliflower situation would be fantastic! Never forget a side of garlic naan, too. That would be tragic to serve butter chicken without naan!
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Creamy Butter Chicken Recipe
Ingredients
Chicken and Marinade
- 2½-3 lbs boneless skinless chicken thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
- ½ cup plain yogurt
- 2-3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp fresh ginger, grated
- 2 tsp garam masala
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1 tsp turmeric
- 1 tsp chili powder
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- 1 tsp fresh ground pepper
- 2 tbsp butter
- 1 tbsp avocado oil
Sauce
- 2 tbsp butter
- 1 large yellow onion, chopped
- 2-4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 28 oz can whole tomatoes
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 tbsp ginger, grated
- 2 tsp cumin
- 2 tsp kosher salt
- 1½ tsp garam masala
- 1 tsp coriander
- 1 tsp turmeric
- 1 tsp chili powder
- ½ tsp fenugreek
- 1 cup heavy cream
Instructions
Marinade
- Mix the ingredients for the marinade together in a large bowl. Toss chicken pieces in to coat. Marinate for at least 30 minutes and up to overnight.
- In a large skillet, sear chicken pieces in the butter and avocado oil, on medium-high heat, for a few minutes on each side. This is just to develop a little color. The chicken will finish cooking in the sauce.
The Sauce
- Lower the heat and add the onion, garlic, and ginger to the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter in the same skillet you cooked the chicken in. Let those start to soften and become fragrant.
- Then add the whole tomatoes, chicken broth, and the spices. Let this simmer for at least 15-20 minutes, scraping the bottom of the pan to release any lovely browned bits. You want the liquid in this to reduce and become very thick.
- After the sauce is reduced, add the heavy cream and use an immersion blender or a standing blender to make the mixture smooth. Add the chicken back into the sauce and allow this to simmer until the chicken is cooked through. Taste for salt and pepper, adding any if you so desire.
- If you would like your sauce a little thinner, simply add the chicken broth to your liking.
- Serve over basmati rice and with warmed garlic naan. I like to garnish with a little yogurt and cilantro. Enjoy!
Notes
-
- Pour rice into a pot.
- Rinse the rice in the pot until the water is clear. The first few times, the water will turn milky. Dump that water. Repeat the “rinse and dump” until the water is clear.
- Touching the top of the rice gently with your index fingertip, add fresh, clear water until it reaches the first knuckle on your finger – approximately one inch of water.
- Bring this to a boil. Lower to a simmer and cover with a lid for 20 minutes. Do Not Peak. No Touchy for 20 minutes.
- Remove the lid and fluff rice with a fork.
Nutrition
Thank you!
I am so incredibly happy that you are here! I hope you try my Creamy Butter Chicken recipe and fall in love with it. If you make this recipe, please share and tag me on Instagram, Facebook, or TikTok! And, please leave a comment or review. I absolutely love seeing each and every one of your kitchen masterpieces. And, as always, if you ever have any questions about any of my recipes, please don’t hesitate to contact me!
Happy Cooking!
–Rufus
Rufus for Real is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com. I may earn a commission, with no additional cost to you, if you purchase through those links.
For another wonderful dish, try my Coconut Curry Salmon!
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