Simple Butter Chicken Recipe

One evening I decided to try butter chicken on a whim, and it turned out to be one of the most comforting meals I’ve ever made. The way the spices blended into the creamy tomato base made my kitchen smell incredible, and the tender chicken soaking up all that buttery flavor felt like pure comfort in every bite.

Simple Butter Chicken Recipe

Servings

4

servings

Prep time

15

minutes

Cooking time

30

minutes

Calories

420

kcal

Ingredients

• Chicken breast or thighs – 500g

• Yogurt – ½ cup

• Ginger garlic paste – 1 tbsp

• Salt – 1 tsp

• Red chili powder – 1 tsp

• Turmeric – ½ tsp

• Butter – 3 tbsp

• Oil – 1 tbsp

• Tomato puree – 1 cup

• Heavy cream – ½ cup

• Garam masala – 1 tsp

• Kasuri methi – 1 tsp

• Sugar – 1 tsp

Directions

• Marinate chicken with yogurt, ginger, garlic paste, salt, chili, and turmeric.
  
• Cook the marinated chicken in a pan until lightly browned.
• Melt butter in another pan, add tomato puree, and cook until it thickens.
• Stir in cream, garam masala, sugar, and kasuri methi.
• Add cooked chicken to the sauce and simmer for 10 minutes.
• Adjust salt and serve warm with naan or rice.

Nutrition Information (Approx per serving)

• Calories: 420
• Protein: 28g
• Fat: 28g
• Carbohydrates: 12g
• Fiber: 2g

Expert Tips and Variations

You can swap heavy cream with almond milk or coconut cream for a lighter twist, add a spoon of honey for smoother sweetness, or blend cashews into the sauce for extra richness; just avoid overheating the cream to prevent splitting, and don’t overcook the chicken, or it may turn dry.

How to Store and Reheat Butter Chicken

Let the butter chicken cool completely, then store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3–4 days. Reheat gently on low heat on the stove, adding a splash of cream or milk to refresh the sauce. You can also microwave it in 30-second intervals, stirring between heats. It freezes well for up to 2 months.

FAQs