This butter chicken recipe started as a desperate Sunday evening when I had hungry kids and a fridge full of random ingredients. Safa was complaining about being "starving to death" (his usual 6 PM drama), and I threw together what I thought might work. Three hours later, he was licking his plate clean and asking when we could have it again. That was two years ago, and we've been making this same recipe every few weeks since.
Why You'll Love This Creamy Butter Chicken
This Butter Chicken Recipe saves my sanity on busy weeknights. I can throw it together while Safadoes homework, and we're eating in under an hour. The chicken never dries out, the sauce has enough kick to keep things interesting without making Safa reach for his milk glass. Most importantly, it makes killer leftovers - sometimes I prefer it the second day when all the flavors have had time to get cozy together.
The real test came when I served it to my pickiest dinner guests. My friend Lisa, who usually just pushes food around her plate, cleaned everything and asked me to text her the Butter Chicken Recipe. My mother-in-law actually complimented it, which honestly shocked me more than it should have. Safa discovered he can use naan bread like a spoon for the sauce, and now that's become his favorite part of the whole meal.
Jump to:
- Why You'll Love This Creamy Butter Chicken
- Ingredients for Butter Chicken Recipe
- How To Make Butter Chicken Recipe Step By Step
- Equipment For Butter Chicken Recipe
- Butter Chicken Recipe Variations
- Smart Swaps for Your Butter Chicken Recipe
- Storing Your Butter Chicken Recipe
- Why This Butter Chicken Recipe Works
- Top Tip
- Passed from Hand to Hand - The Family Trick That Still Works
- FAQ
- Time to Create Restaurant Magic at Home!
- Related
- Pairing
- butter chicken recipe
Ingredients for Butter Chicken Recipe
For the Chicken Marinade:
- Boneless chicken
- Plain Greek yogurt
- Ginger garlic paste
- Lemon juice
- Garam masala
- Turmeric powder
- Red chili powder
- Salt
For the Creamy Tomato Gravy:
- Ghee or butter
- Onions
- Fresh ginger
- Garlic cloves
- Tomato puree
- Heavy cream
- Kasuri methi
- Coriander powder
- Cumin powder
- Paprika
- Brown sugar
Finishing Touches:
- Butter for richness
- Fresh cilantro
- Extra cream for swirling
See recipe card for quantities.
How To Make Butter Chicken Recipe Step By Step
Chicken Prep:
- Cut chicken into bite-sized pieces
- Mix with yogurt and all spices in bowl
- Let marinate 30 minutes minimum
- Set aside while prepping other ingredients
Base Building:
- Heat butter in large pan over medium heat
- Cook onions until golden brown (5-7 minutes)
- Add garlic and ginger, stir 1 minute
- Pour in tomato puree, cook until oil separates
Spice Integration:
- Add ground spices, stir 30 seconds
- Add marinated chicken pieces
- Cook until no longer pink outside
- Remove chicken, set aside
Sauce Finishing:
- Blend tomato mixture until smooth
- Return to pan, add cream gradually
- Bring chicken back to sauce
- Simmer 5-10 minutes until thickened
Final Touches:
- Taste and adjust salt as needed
- Crush kasuri methi between fingers
- Stir into sauce with butter pat
- Garnish with fresh cilantro
Equipment For Butter Chicken Recipe
- Large heavy-bottomed pan or Dutch oven
- Sharp knife for chopping
- Cutting board
- Mixing bowl for marinade
- Blender for smooth sauce
- Wooden spoon for stirring
Butter Chicken Recipe Variations
Coconut Butter Chicken:
- Replace half the cream with coconut milk
- Add curry leaves if you can find them
- Finish with toasted coconut flakes
- Safa calls this the "tropical version"
Smoky Version:
- Add a pinch of smoked paprika
- Use fire-roasted tomatoes instead of regular
- Grill the chicken first, then add to sauce
- Gives it that tandoor-ish flavor
Weeknight Express:
- Use rotisserie chicken, shredded
- Add it in the last 5 minutes just to heat through
- Skip the marinating step entirely
- Perfect when you're running late
Kid-Friendly Mild:
- Cut all spices in half
- Add a teaspoon of honey for sweetness
- Use extra cream for richness
- Skip the kasuri methi completely
Restaurant Style Rich:
- Add a tablespoon of tomato paste for deeper color
- Finish with extra butter
- Swirl in more cream before serving
- Garnish with almonds
Slow Cooker Version:
- Brown onions and spices first
- Dump everything in slow cooker for 4 hours
- Stir in cream during last 30 minutes
- Great for busy days
Smart Swaps for Your Butter Chicken Recipe
Dairy Alternatives:
- Heavy cream → Coconut cream (full-fat can)
- Greek yogurt → Coconut yogurt for marinade
- Ghee → Coconut oil or regular butter
- Regular milk → Cashew milk for thinning
Protein Options:
- Chicken thighs → Chicken breasts (cook less time)
- Fresh chicken → Rotisserie chicken (add at end)
- Chicken → Paneer for vegetarian version
- Meat → Cauliflower florets for plant-based
Heat Level Adjustments:
- Skip chili powder completely for kids
- Add fresh chopped chilies for more heat
- Use paprika instead of chili powder for color without spice
- Double the garam masala if you like stronger flavor
Ingredient Substitutions:
- Kasuri methi → Dried oregano (not the same but works)
- Fresh ginger → Ground ginger (use half the amount)
- Garam masala → Mix of cinnamon, cardamom, cloves
- Tomato puree → Crushed tomatoes (blend first)
Time-Saving Swaps:
- Fresh tomatoes → Good quality canned
- Ginger garlic paste → Minced from jar
- Individual spices → Curry powder blend
Storing Your Butter Chicken Recipe
Refrigerator Storage (4-5 days):
- Cool completely before putting in fridge
- Store in airtight container
- Reheat gently on stovetop or microwave
- Add splash of cream if sauce seems thick
- Stir well before serving
Freezer Storage (2-3 months):
- Cool completely first
- Freeze in portion-sized containers
- Leave space at top for expansion
- Label with date - trust me on this
- Thaw overnight in fridge before reheating
Reheating Tips:
- Stovetop works better than microwave
- Use low heat and stir frequently
- Add bit of water or cream if needed
- Don't let it boil or cream might curdle
- Taste and adjust seasoning after reheating
Make-Ahead Strategy:
- Great for meal prep Sundays
- Cook everything except adding cream
- Store base sauce separately
- Add cream when reheating
- Flavors actually get better overnight
Why This Butter Chicken Recipe Works
This Butter Chicken Recipe succeeds because it doesn't skip the boring parts that matter. The yogurt marinade breaks down tough chicken fibers so you don't end up chewing rubber. Cooking the tomatoes until they release their oil gets rid of that sharp, raw taste that ruins so many homemade curries. Most people give up after five minutes, but you need at least ten to build real flavor.
The spice timing makes a huge difference too. Throwing them into hot oil wakes up their flavors instead of leaving them tasting like dusty powder. Blending the sauce smooth gives you that creamy restaurant texture instead of chunky mess. The proportions here work because I've screwed them up enough times to know what happens when you add too much cream or not enough spice. This version of Butter Chicken Recipe keeps adults happy while staying mild enough that Safa doesn't complain.
Top Tip
- This Butter Chicken Recipe works because it follows basic cooking rules that actually matter. Marinating chicken in yogurt breaks down the tough parts so you don't end up with chewy meat. Cooking tomatoes long enough lets their water evaporate and concentrates the flavor - most people quit too early and wonder why their sauce tastes watery. You need to see that oil separating around the edges before moving on.
- The spice order matters more than people think. Adding spices to hot oil for 30 seconds stops them from tasting like powder in your finished dish. Blending everything smooth gives you that restaurant texture instead of chunky tomato bits floating around. The cream ratio took me about six tries to get right - too much makes it bland, too little leaves it too sharp.
- This version works for my family because it balances adult flavors with kid-friendly mildness. Safa actually eats this without complaining, which is saying something. I've served it to my most critical dinner guests and they've all asked for seconds. Each step builds on the last one instead of just throwing ingredients together and crossing your fingers.
Passed from Hand to Hand - The Family Trick That Still Works
My grandmother never wrote anything down, but she taught my mom one trick that I still use. She'd hold back about half the cream and stir it in at the very end, after turning off the heat. This stops the sauce from curdling and gives it that smooth restaurant look. She also crushed a small piece of brown sugar between her fingers during the tomato cooking part - just enough to cut the sharpness without making it taste sweet.
The thing that seemed pointless but actually works was letting the finished dish sit for ten minutes before serving. She insisted the flavors needed time to blend together. I thought this was just her being fussy until I tried serving it immediately one night - the difference was obvious. Those ten minutes turn regular butter chicken into something that makes people wonder what you did differently. Safa has learned to wait patiently during this part, though he usually spends the time hanging around the stove asking if it's ready yet.
FAQ
What are the ingredients of Butter Chicken Recipe?
The main ingredients include marinated chicken, tomato puree, heavy cream, onions, ginger, garlic, and spices like garam masala and turmeric. Ghee or butter adds richness while yogurt tenderizes the chicken during marination. This combination creates the creamy, mildly spiced curry that people love.
What is the secret to the tender Butter Chicken Recipe?
The secret is marinating the chicken in yogurt for at least 30 minutes before cooking. The yogurt breaks down tough protein fibers, making the meat tender. Also, don't overcook the chicken during the final simmer - just add it back to heat through and soak up flavors.
What are some common mistakes when making Butter Chicken Recipe?
The biggest mistake is rushing the tomato cooking stage - you need to cook until oil separates or your sauce tastes raw. Adding cream too fast can make it curdle. Many people use old spices that have lost their flavor, or don't marinate the chicken long enough.
Are tikka masala and Butter Chicken Recipe the same?
No, they're different dishes. Butter chicken is milder, creamier, and slightly sweeter with a tomato-cream base. Chicken tikka masala is usually spicier, more tomato-heavy, and thicker. Both use marinated chicken, but the spice mixes and sauce textures are different when made right.
Time to Create Restaurant Magic at Home!
Now you have all the secrets to making perfect Butter Chicken Recipe that beats any restaurant version. This recipe proves that with the right steps and some patience, you can create rich, satisfying flavors right in your own kitchen. Safa has declared this "better than takeout," which coming from a seven-year-old counts as a five-star review in our house.
Craving more comfort food classics? Try our Chicken Tikka Masala Recipe that pairs beautifully with this dish, master our Homemade Naan Bread Recipe for the perfect accompaniment, or explore our Coconut Rice Recipe that adds a subtle tropical twist to Indian meals. These recipes work together to create a complete Indian feast that'll have your family requesting dinner plans weeks in advance.
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Pairing
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butter chicken recipe
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Cut chicken into bite-sized pieces, mix with yogurt, lemon juice, and spices, and rest 30 minutes.
- Heat butter, cook onions until golden, add garlic and ginger, then stir in tomato puree until oil separates.
- Add ground spices, then the marinated chicken; cook until just no longer pink. Remove chicken.
- Blend tomato mixture smooth, return to pan, stir in cream, and simmer with chicken until thickened.
- Adjust seasoning, stir in kasuri methi and butter, garnish with cilantro, and rest 10 minutes before serving.
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