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A plate of butter chicken with naan and rice, garnished with parsley, served in a rustic bowl.

The Ultimate Butter Chicken Recipe: Ingredients, Instructions, and Expert Tips for the Perfect Dish

Discover the perfect Butter Chicken recipe with tender chicken in a rich, creamy sauce. Serve with naan and rice for a delicious, comforting meal. Easy to make and full of flavor!

  • Total Time: 45 minutes
  • Yield: 4-6 servings 1x

Ingredients

Scale

For the Chicken & Marinade:

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

For the Butter Chicken Sauce:

3 tablespoons vegetable oil

3 tablespoons butter (divided)

6 garlic cloves (minced)

1 medium onion (diced)

1 15-ounce can of 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)

To Serve:

Naan bread

Steamed rice

Instructions

  1. Marinate the Chicken: Combine the chicken, salt, garlic powder, paprika, curry powder, and Greek yogurt in a bowl. Mix well, coat the chicken evenly, and marinate for at least 15 minutes.
  2. Cook the Chicken: Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the marinated chicken and cook until golden brown (about 8-10 minutes). Remove and set aside.
  3. Prepare the Sauce: In the same skillet, add 1 tablespoon of butter and sauté the garlic and onions until fragrant and translucent. Stir in tomato sauce and sugar, and simmer for 2-3 minutes.
  4. Combine Chicken and Sauce: Return the cooked chicken to the skillet. Stir in the heavy cream and let the sauce come together. Add cayenne pepper, garam masala, curry powder, and black pepper. Let simmer on low heat for 10 minutes.
  5. Finish the Sauce: Stir in the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter to create a silky smooth finish. Garnish with freshly chopped parsley if desired.
  6. Serve: Serve hot with naan bread and steamed rice.

Notes

  • For a spicier version, add more cayenne pepper or fresh green chilies to the sauce.

  • If you don’t have heavy cream, coconut cream can be used for a lighter, dairy-free option.

  • Marinate the chicken overnight for maximum flavor infusion.

  • Author: Julia
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes (for marinating)
  • Cook Time: 30 minutes (for cooking)
  • Category: Main Dishes
  • Method: Stovetop
  • Cuisine: Indian
  • Diet: Gluten Free

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 serving (about 1 cup of butter chicken with rice)
  • Calories: 450 kcal
  • Sugar: 5g
  • Sodium: 850mg
  • Fat: 30g
  • Saturated Fat: 15g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 12g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 35g
  • Fiber: 3g
  • Protein: 28g
  • Cholesterol: 120mg