Name: Quick & Easy Homemade Butter Chicken
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 50 min
Total time: 1 h 5 min
Yield: 6 servings
Ingredients: 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into bite-sized chunks; 1 tsp salt (for marinade); 1 tsp garlic powder; 1 tsp sweet paprika; 0.5 tsp curry powder; 1 tbsp Greek yogurt; 3 tbsp vegetable oil; 3 tbsp butter, divided; 6 cloves garlic, minced; 1 medium onion, diced; 1 (15 oz) can tomato sauce; 1 tsp sugar; 1 tsp salt (for sauce, adjust to taste); 0.5 tsp black pepper; 2 cups heavy cream

Quick Easy Homemade Butter Chicken Recipe – a phrase that might sound almost too good to be true if you’ve ever yearned for that authentic Indian restaurant experience right in your own kitchen. I know the feeling – the deep desire for those rich, aromatic flavors, the tender, marinated chicken swimming in a velvety, spiced tomato sauce, but perhaps the apprehension of a complex, multi-step preparation that often comes with such exquisite cuisine.

Well, I am absolutely thrilled to tell you that today, those culinary worries are a thing of the past! This beloved dish, originating from the vibrant culinary heartland of Delhi, India, has charmed palates worldwide with its unparalleled combination of subtle sweetness, delicate tang, and perfectly balanced mild spice. People adore Butter Chicken not just for its incredibly creamy texture and succulent pieces of chicken, but also for its comforting warmth and the symphony of flavors it delivers with every single spoonful.

Experience Unforgettable Flavors, Effortlessly!

What makes this particular guide so special is our unwavering commitment to delivering a truly Quick Easy Homemade Butter Chicken Recipe, proving conclusively that exquisite taste and a deeply satisfying meal do not have to demand hours of meticulous effort in the kitchen. Get ready to impress yourself and your loved ones with a dish that’s both profoundly delicious and surprisingly simple to master.

Ingredients:

For the Chicken Marinade:
- 1.5 lbs (about 680g) boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts, cut into 1-inch pieces. I prefer thighs for their juiciness, but breasts work beautifully too if you prefer leaner meat.
- 1/2 cup plain full-fat yogurt. This is my secret for tenderizing the chicken and helping the spices adhere.
- 1 tablespoon ginger-garlic paste. This aromatic powerhouse is essential for that authentic Indian flavor.
- 1 teaspoon red chili powder (Kashmiri chili powder if you want vibrant color without too much heat, or regular if you like a kick!).
- 1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder. A little goes a long way for color and earthy notes.
- 1 teaspoon garam masala. The star spice blend that defines so many Indian dishes.
- 1/2 teaspoon salt, or to taste.
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice. Brightens all the flavors!
For the Butter Chicken Sauce:
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter. It wouldn’t be butter chicken without plenty of butter! This adds incredible richness.
- 1 tablespoon oil (vegetable or canola). Helps prevent the butter from burning.
- 1 large onion, finely chopped. The foundation of our flavorful sauce.
- 1 tablespoon ginger-garlic paste. Another round for depth of flavor in the sauce itself.
- 1 teaspoon red chili powder (again, Kashmiri if you have it).
- 1 teaspoon garam masala. Reinforcing those signature warm spice notes.
- 1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder.
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin. Adds a warm, earthy base.
- 1/2 teaspoon ground coriander. Essential for its fragrant, citrusy notes.
- 1 (14.5 oz / 410g) can crushed tomatoes or tomato purée. I find crushed tomatoes give a nice texture, but purée works too.
- 1/2 cup water or chicken broth. To thin the sauce to the perfect consistency.
- 1/2 cup heavy cream. This is where the magic happens, adding luxurious creaminess.
- 1 tablespoon kasuri methi (dried fenugreek leaves), lightly crushed between your palms. This ingredient is non-negotiable for authentic butter chicken flavor, trust me!
- 1 teaspoon sugar (optional, but highly recommended). Balances the acidity of the tomatoes beautifully.
- Salt to taste.
For Garnish (Optional but recommended):
- Fresh cilantro, chopped. For a burst of freshness and color.
- A swirl of extra heavy cream. For presentation and an extra touch of decadence.
- Naan bread or basmati rice for serving.

Phase 1: Marinating the Chicken for Our Quick Easy Homemade Butter Chicken Recipe

This initial step is crucial for infusing the chicken with flavor and ensuring it remains incredibly tender during cooking. Don’t skip it, even if you’re in a hurry; even a short 30-minute marinade makes a big difference for your Quick Easy Homemade Butter Chicken Recipe.

Prepare the Chicken: Start by patting your chicken pieces dry with paper towels. This helps the marinade adhere better and promotes a better sear later on. Cut your chicken thighs or breasts into roughly 1-inch bite-sized pieces. Aim for uniform sizes so they cook evenly. Place them in a medium-sized bowl.
Combine Marinade Ingredients: To the bowl with the chicken, add the plain full-fat yogurt. I always go for full-fat because it contributes to a richer, creamier marinade and helps tenderize the chicken more effectively than low-fat options. Next, add the ginger-garlic paste, red chili powder, turmeric powder, garam masala, salt, and lemon juice. The lemon juice not only adds a bright tang but also helps break down the chicken fibers, further aiding in tenderization.
Mix Thoroughly: Using your hands (gloves are a good idea if you don’t want turmeric-stained fingers!) or a spoon, mix all the ingredients together until every piece of chicken is thoroughly coated. Make sure there are no clumps of spice and that the yogurt is evenly distributed. This ensures consistent flavor in every bite of your chicken.
Marinate: Cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap or a lid. Now, place it in the refrigerator. Ideally, you want to marinate the chicken for at least 30 minutes. For the best flavor and tenderness, I highly recommend marinating for 2-4 hours, or even overnight if you have the time. The longer it marinates, the more flavorful and succulent your chicken will be, making your Quick Easy Homemade Butter Chicken Recipe truly stand out.

Phase 2: Preparing the Rich Butter Chicken Sauce

The sauce is the heart and soul of any great butter chicken. Taking your time with this phase will reward you with a deeply flavorful, aromatic, and perfectly balanced sauce that is truly restaurant-worthy. This is where we build the layers of flavor for our Quick Easy Homemade Butter Chicken Recipe.

Sauté the Aromatics: In a large, heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven, melt the 2 tablespoons of unsalted butter with 1 tablespoon of oil over medium heat. The oil helps prevent the butter from burning, allowing it to get nice and foamy. Once the butter is melted and slightly shimmering, add the finely chopped onion. Sauté the onion, stirring frequently, for about 8-10 minutes, or until it becomes soft, translucent, and starts to turn a light golden brown. Don’t rush this step! Properly cooked onions are essential for a sweet and deep base flavor.
Add Ginger-Garlic Paste: Once the onions are ready, add the second tablespoon of ginger-garlic paste to the pot. Cook for another 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly, until the raw smell disappears and the paste becomes fragrant. Be careful not to let it burn.
Toast the Dry Spices: Reduce the heat slightly to medium-low. Add the red chili powder, garam masala, turmeric powder, ground cumin, and ground coriander to the pot. Stir continuously for about 30-60 seconds. This brief toasting of the dry spices in the hot oil (or butter-oil mixture) is called “bhuno” in Indian cooking and helps to release their essential oils, intensifying their flavor and aroma significantly. You’ll notice the kitchen filling with wonderful fragrance almost immediately. Be very careful not to burn the spices, as burnt spices will make your sauce bitter.
Incorporate Tomatoes: Pour in the can of crushed tomatoes (or tomato purée). Stir well to combine all the ingredients. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer. Cook for about 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the tomatoes darken in color and the oil starts to separate from the mixture, indicating that the tomatoes are well cooked and their raw acidity has mellowed. This is a critical step for developing the depth of flavor in your sauce. You might also notice a richer, more concentrated tomato aroma.
Simmer and Blend (Optional, but recommended for smoothness): Add 1/2 cup of water or chicken broth to the sauce. Bring it back to a gentle simmer and let it cook for another 5 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld further. At this point, if you prefer a perfectly smooth sauce, you can carefully transfer the sauce to a blender and blend until silky smooth, then return it to the pot. Alternatively, use an immersion blender directly in the pot. For a more rustic sauce, you can skip this step, but for a truly restaurant-style Quick Easy Homemade Butter Chicken Recipe, I love a smooth sauce.

Phase 3: Cooking the Chicken

While the sauce is simmering, or immediately after you’ve blended it, it’s time to cook our marinated chicken. We want to get a nice sear on the chicken pieces to lock in juices and add another layer of flavor and texture to our Quick Easy Homemade Butter Chicken Recipe.

Sear the Marinated Chicken: Heat a separate large skillet or frying pan over medium-high heat. Add a tablespoon of oil (or a little more butter if you like) to the pan. Once hot, carefully add the marinated chicken pieces in a single layer, ensuring not to overcrowd the pan. You might need to do this in two batches to avoid steaming the chicken instead of searing it. Overcrowding will lower the pan temperature too much.
Cook Until Lightly Browned: Cook the chicken for about 3-4 minutes per side, or until it’s beautifully browned and lightly charred in places. The goal here isn’t to cook it through completely, but rather to develop a fantastic crust and lock in all those delicious marinade flavors. Once all sides are seared, transfer the chicken to a plate and set aside. Don’t worry if it’s not fully cooked; it will finish cooking in the sauce. This searing step adds significant depth to the final dish.

Phase 4: Combining and Finishing the Butter Chicken

Now comes the exciting part – bringing everything together! This phase transforms our individual components into the luscious, comforting, and incredibly flavorful butter chicken you’ve been dreaming of. We’re almost ready to enjoy our Quick Easy Homemade Butter Chicken Recipe!

Add Chicken to Sauce: Gently add the seared chicken pieces and any accumulated juices from the plate into the simmering tomato sauce. Stir gently to ensure the chicken is well coated.
Simmer and Infuse: Bring the sauce back to a gentle simmer. Cover the pot and let it cook for another 10-15 minutes, or until the chicken is fully cooked through and wonderfully tender. This simmering time also allows the chicken to absorb all the incredible flavors of the sauce. Check a piece of chicken to ensure it’s cooked to your liking.
Introduce Cream and Kasuri Methi: Reduce the heat to low. Stir in the heavy cream. This is where the sauce truly becomes rich and velvety. Add the crushed kasuri methi. I like to rub the dried leaves between my palms before adding them to release their aromatic oils. This distinctive fragrance is a hallmark of authentic butter chicken and truly elevates the dish.
Balance Flavors: Add the sugar (if using) and stir. Taste the sauce and adjust the seasoning. You might need a little more salt, a tiny pinch more red chili powder for heat, or even a touch more sugar if your tomatoes were very tart. Always taste and adjust! This is key to making your Quick Easy Homemade Butter Chicken Recipe perfect for your palate.
Final Gentle Simmer: Let the butter chicken simmer gently for just 2-3 more minutes on low heat, without boiling, to allow the cream and kasuri methi flavors to fully integrate. Avoid vigorous boiling once the cream is added, as it can sometimes cause the sauce to split.

Serving Suggestions and Tips for Your Quick Easy Homemade Butter Chicken Recipe

Congratulations! You’ve just created a phenomenal Quick Easy Homemade Butter Chicken Recipe. Now, let’s talk about how to enjoy it best and some extra tips to make it even more amazing.

Garnish and Serve: Ladle your delicious butter chicken into serving bowls. Garnish generously with fresh chopped cilantro and, if you’re feeling extra fancy, a swirl of extra heavy cream.
Accompaniments: This dish is absolutely heavenly served with warm naan bread, fluffy basmati rice, or even roti. The bread is perfect for scooping up every last drop of that incredible sauce, while rice helps to soak up the richness.
Spice Level Adjustment: If you prefer a milder butter chicken, you can reduce the amount of red chili powder in both the marinade and the sauce. For a spicier kick, feel free to add a bit more, or even a finely minced green chili to the initial sauté.
Making Ahead: Butter chicken is one of those dishes that often tastes even better the next day as the flavors have more time to meld and deepen. You can prepare the entire dish a day in advance, store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator, and gently reheat it on the stovetop over low heat, adding a splash of water or broth if it seems too thick.
Freezing: This recipe freezes beautifully! Once cooled, transfer the butter chicken to freezer-safe containers and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and reheat gently. You might want to add a fresh swirl of cream and a sprinkle of kasuri methi when reheating.
For Extra Smoothness: If you desire an absolutely velvety smooth sauce without any onion or tomato texture, you can strain the sauce through a fine-mesh sieve after blending, before adding the cream and chicken. This is an extra step but results in a restaurant-quality, silky finish.
Choosing Your Chicken: While I recommend chicken thighs for their moisture and flavor, chicken breast works very well too. Just be mindful not to overcook chicken breast, as it can dry out more easily. The marinade helps a lot with tenderness, regardless of the cut.
The Importance of Kasuri Methi: I cannot stress enough how vital kasuri methi (dried fenugreek leaves) is for the authentic taste of butter chicken. It imparts a slightly bitter, earthy, and uniquely aromatic note that is truly distinctive. If you don’t have it, please try to find it for your next batch – it makes all the difference in a truly authentic Quick Easy Homemade Butter Chicken Recipe.
Adding a Touch of Heat: If you enjoy a very subtle smoky heat, you can add a pinch of smoked paprika along with the other dry spices. It’s not traditional, but it can add another layer of complexity.
Dairy Choices: While heavy cream is traditional and delivers the best richness, for a slightly lighter option, you could experiment with half-and-half, though the texture won’t be as luxurious. I would avoid milk as it’s too thin.
Cooking the Onions Thoroughly: I mentioned this before, but it’s worth reiterating: properly caramelizing the onions is fundamental. This process creates a natural sweetness and depth that forms the backbone of the sauce. Pale, undercooked onions will result in a sharper, less harmonious flavor profile. Be patient here.
Quality of Spices: Fresh, good quality spices make a noticeable difference in any Indian dish. If your spices have been sitting in the cupboard for years, their potency might have diminished. Consider refreshing your spice cabinet for the best results in your Quick Easy Homemade Butter Chicken Recipe and all your culinary adventures.

Enjoy creating and savoring this delightful Quick Easy Homemade Butter Chicken Recipe! It’s a truly comforting and satisfying meal that I’m sure you’ll love making again and again.

Conclusion:

And there you have it, my dear fellow food enthusiasts! We’ve reached the end of our culinary journey, but truly, it’s just the beginning of your delicious adventure. I honestly believe this isn’t just another recipe; it’s an invitation to experience the magic of Indian cuisine right in your own kitchen, without any of the intimidation that often comes with such flavorful dishes. What makes this recipe an absolute must-try, in my humble opinion, is its incredible ability to deliver layers of complex, aromatic flavors that usually take hours of simmering and a long list of obscure ingredients, all condensed into a remarkably manageable cooking time. The rich, velvety tomato-cream sauce, infused with warming spices, clings perfectly to the tender, succulent pieces of chicken, creating a symphony of tastes that will undoubtedly tantalize your taste buds and leave you craving more. It’s the kind of meal that feels special enough for a celebration, yet is straightforward enough for a weeknight family dinner, bridging the gap between gourmet and everyday comfort food with effortless grace.

This particular iteration of the classic dish shines because it focuses on achieving that authentic, soul-satisfying taste profile we all love, but cleverly streamlines the process. You’ll be genuinely surprised at how quickly you can go from raw ingredients to a magnificent meal that rivals your favorite Indian takeout, if not surpasses it. There’s a profound satisfaction in preparing something so delicious from scratch, knowing exactly what ingredients went into it, and tailoring it perfectly to your family’s preferences. Every spoonful is a testament to the fact that incredibly flavorful meals don’t always demand hours of intricate work. It’s truly a game-changer for anyone who loves Indian food but has been hesitant to try making it at home. This is your sign to conquer that apprehension and dive into a world of incredible flavor!

Now, let’s talk about how to make this culinary masterpiece even more enjoyable. When it comes to serving, the classics are classics for a reason! I highly recommend pairing your magnificent Butter Chicken with fluffy, perfectly steamed basmati rice – its delicate fragrance and light texture are the ideal counterpoint to the rich sauce. But don’t stop there! Warm, pillowy naan bread, fresh out of the oven or lightly toasted, is an absolute essential for scooping up every last drop of that glorious gravy. If you’re feeling adventurous, a crisp, homemade paratha or even some simple rotis would also be fantastic. For garnishes, a generous sprinkling of freshly chopped cilantro not only adds a vibrant splash of color but also a burst of fresh, herbaceous flavor that brightens the entire dish. And for that extra touch of restaurant-quality elegance, a swirl of fresh cream or a tiny dollop of Greek yogurt just before serving adds a beautiful finish and another layer of richness. Don’t underestimate the power of these simple additions to elevate your dining experience.

But the beauty of a great recipe lies in its adaptability, and this one is no exception. While chicken thighs are my personal go-to for their succulence, you can certainly experiment with boneless, skinless chicken breasts if you prefer a leaner cut, just be mindful not to overcook them to maintain tenderness. For those looking for vegetarian options, this sauce is incredibly versatile! Imagine this same luscious gravy coating cubes of pan-fried paneer, creating a decadent Paneer Butter Masala that will win over even the most ardent meat-eaters. Chickpeas, simmered gently in the sauce, make for a hearty and satisfying plant-based alternative. You could even try it with firm tofu or a mix of roasted vegetables like cauliflower and bell peppers for a delightful vegetarian curry. The possibilities are truly endless!

Want to dial up the heat? Feel free to add an extra pinch of chili powder or a finely diced green chili during the cooking process. For a touch more tang, a squeeze of fresh lime juice at the very end can work wonders. If you’re catering to dietary restrictions, this recipe can even be adapted. For a dairy-free version, swap out the heavy cream and butter for coconut cream or a plant-based alternative, and use a dairy-free butter substitute. The results will still be wonderfully creamy and flavorful, albeit with a slightly different nuanced taste. This flexibility ensures that virtually everyone can enjoy the incredible flavors of this dish, making it truly inclusive and adaptable to various palates and needs.

So, what are you waiting for? I’ve poured my heart into sharing what I truly believe is a fantastic, foolproof method to recreate an Indian classic. It’s time to don your apron, gather your ingredients, and embark on what I promise will be a truly rewarding culinary journey. This Quick Easy Homemade Butter Chicken Recipe is more than just a set of instructions; it’s an opportunity to create lasting memories around your dinner table, to impress your loved ones, and to savor the unparalleled joy of a home-cooked meal that tastes utterly divine. Don’t be shy – give it a try this week!

I am genuinely excited for you to experience the rich aromas and incredible flavors that will soon fill your kitchen. Once you’ve made it, please don’t keep the magic to yourself! I would absolutely love to hear about your experience. Did you add a secret ingredient? Did you serve it with something unique? Did your family rave about it? Share your thoughts, your successes, and even your questions in the comments below. Better yet, snap a photo of your magnificent creation and share it with us! Your feedback and shared experiences inspire not only me but also other home cooks in our community. Let’s build a delicious conversation around this amazing dish. Happy cooking, and I can’t wait to hear all about your delicious adventure!