Quick Easy Homemade Butter Chicken is your ticket to indulging in a restaurant-quality classic without the fuss, offering a delicious and satisfying meal that’s surprisingly simple to whip up in your own kitchen. This recipe is perfect for busy weeknights or when you’re craving comforting Indian flavors at home.
Key Ingredients for Quick Easy Homemade Butter Chicken :
- 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts, cut into 1-inch pieces
- 1 ½ tablespoons vegetable oil or ghee
- 1 large onion, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon grated fresh ginger
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon ground coriander
- ½ teaspoon turmeric powder
- ½ teaspoon garam masala
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper (or to taste)
- 1 (15 ounce) can crushed tomatoes
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 2 tablespoons plain yogurt (optional, for marinating chicken)
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice (optional, for marinating chicken)
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- Fresh cilantro, chopped, for garnish
- Cooked basmati rice or naan, for serving
How to Make Quick Easy Homemade Butter Chicken
This Quick Easy Homemade Butter Chicken recipe is designed for maximum flavor with minimum effort, so you can enjoy a rich, creamy, and incredibly satisfying dish in about 45 minutes. Its simplicity lies in using readily available ingredients and a straightforward cooking process that results in a wonderfully tender chicken bathed in a luxurious, spiced tomato sauce. Get ready for a truly delicious and comforting meal!
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Marinate the Chicken (Optional but Recommended): In a medium bowl, combine the chicken pieces with yogurt (if using) and lemon juice. Season with a pinch of salt and pepper. Mix well and let it marinate for at least 15 minutes, or up to 2 hours in the refrigerator. This step helps tenderize the chicken and infuse it with flavor. If you’re short on time, you can skip this and proceed directly to cooking the chicken.
- Sauté Aromatics: Heat the vegetable oil or ghee in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the finely chopped onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened and lightly golden, about 5-7 minutes.
- Add Garlic and Ginger: Stir in the minced garlic and grated ginger. Cook for another minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn them.
- Toast the Spices: Add the ground cumin, ground coriander, turmeric powder, garam masala, and cayenne pepper to the skillet. Stir continuously for about 30 seconds to a minute, allowing the spices to bloom and release their aromas. This step is crucial for developing the depth of flavor in the sauce.
- Incorporate Tomatoes and Simmer: Pour in the can of crushed tomatoes. Stir well to combine with the spice mixture. Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer, then reduce the heat to low, cover, and let it cook for about 10 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld.
- Cook the Chicken: Add the marinated chicken pieces (or raw chicken pieces if you skipped the marinating step) directly into the simmering tomato sauce. Stir to coat the chicken evenly.
- Simmer Until Chicken is Cooked: Increase the heat slightly to medium-low, cover the skillet, and let the butter chicken simmer for about 15-20 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and tender. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking and ensure even cooking.
- Add Creaminess: Pour in the heavy cream and stir gently until it’s fully incorporated into the sauce. Allow the butter chicken to simmer uncovered for another 5 minutes, allowing the sauce to thicken slightly and become luxuriously creamy.
- Season and Serve: Taste the butter chicken and season with salt and black pepper as needed. If you find it too rich, a tiny splash of water or broth can help to thin it out. Garnish generously with fresh chopped cilantro.
- Enjoy! Serve your Quick Easy Homemade Butter Chicken hot over fluffy basmati rice or with warm naan bread for a truly authentic and satisfying meal.
Why You’ll Love This Quick Easy Homemade Butter Chicken
You’ll adore this Quick Easy Homemade Butter Chicken for its unbelievably rich and velvety sauce that coats every tender piece of chicken, offering a delightful explosion of warm spices and a hint of sweetness. It’s an economical way to enjoy a beloved Indian dish that often costs a small fortune at restaurants, making it a guilt-free indulgence. The vibrant garnish of fresh cilantro adds a welcome burst of freshness that perfectly complements the creamy, savory depth of the curry, making it a complete sensory delight.
This recipe transforms humble ingredients into a culinary masterpiece, proving that authentic Indian flavors are accessible to everyone. Imagine the satisfaction of recreating this crowd-pleasing dish in your own kitchen, impressing family and friends with your newfound cooking prowess. Unlike other chicken curries that can be overly complicated, this Quick Easy Homemade Butter Chicken streamlines the process without sacrificing even an ounce of its incredible taste. So, gather your ingredients and prepare to be amazed – your taste buds will thank you!
Storing and Reheating Tips
Properly storing and reheating your delicious Quick Easy Homemade Butter Chicken ensures you can enjoy its delightful flavors for days to come.
- Refrigeration: Allow the butter chicken to cool completely at room temperature. Transfer the leftovers to an airtight container. It will stay fresh in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
- Freezing: For longer storage, let the butter chicken cool completely and then portion it into freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags. It can be frozen for up to 2-3 months. Ensure all air is removed from the container or bag to prevent freezer burn.
- Reheating on Stovetop: The best way to reheat butter chicken is on the stovetop. Place the desired amount in a saucepan over medium-low heat. Stir gently and cook until heated through, adding a splash of water, milk, or cream if the sauce has thickened too much.
- Reheating in Microwave: Alternatively, you can reheat individual portions in the microwave. Place the butter chicken in a microwave-safe dish, cover loosely, and heat on medium power in 1-minute intervals, stirring in between, until thoroughly heated. Be mindful not to overheat, as this can cause the sauce to separate.
- Reheating from Frozen: If reheating from frozen, thaw the butter chicken in the refrigerator overnight first. Then, reheat using the stovetop or microwave method as described above.
Final Thoughts
This Quick Easy Homemade Butter Chicken recipe is a testament to how simple ingredients can create something truly spectacular. Embrace the ease and incredible flavor, and don’t hesitate to whip up this comforting classic at home tonight!
Quick Easy Homemade Butter Chicken
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- In a medium bowl, combine the chicken pieces with yogurt (if using) and lemon juice. Season with a pinch of salt and pepper. Mix well and let it marinate for at least 15 minutes, or up to 2 hours in the refrigerator. This step helps tenderize the chicken and infuse it with flavor. If you’re short on time, you can skip this and proceed directly to cooking the chicken.1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts, 2 tablespoons plain yogurt, 1 tablespoon lemon juice, Salt and black pepper
- Heat the vegetable oil or ghee in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the finely chopped onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened and lightly golden, about 5-7 minutes.1.5 tablespoons vegetable oil or ghee, 1 large onion
- Stir in the minced garlic and grated ginger. Cook for another minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn them.3 cloves garlic, 1 tablespoon fresh ginger
- Add the ground cumin, ground coriander, turmeric powder, garam masala, and cayenne pepper to the skillet. Stir continuously for about 30 seconds to a minute, allowing the spices to bloom and release their aromas. This step is crucial for developing the depth of flavor in the sauce.1 teaspoon ground cumin, 1 teaspoon ground coriander, 0.5 teaspoon turmeric powder, 0.5 teaspoon garam masala, 0.25 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- Pour in the can of crushed tomatoes. Stir well to combine with the spice mixture. Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer, then reduce the heat to low, cover, and let it cook for about 10 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld.1 (15 ounce) can crushed tomatoes
- Add the marinated chicken pieces (or raw chicken pieces if you skipped the marinating step) directly into the simmering tomato sauce. Stir to coat the chicken evenly.1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts
- Increase the heat slightly to medium-low, cover the skillet, and let the butter chicken simmer for about 15-20 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and tender. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking and ensure even cooking.
- Pour in the heavy cream and stir gently until it’s fully incorporated into the sauce. Allow the butter chicken to simmer uncovered for another 5 minutes, allowing the sauce to thicken slightly and become luxuriously creamy.1 cup heavy cream
- Taste the butter chicken and season with salt and black pepper as needed. If you find it too rich, a tiny splash of water or broth can help to thin it out. Garnish generously with fresh chopped cilantro.Salt and black pepper, Fresh cilantro
- Serve your Quick Easy Homemade Butter Chicken hot over fluffy basmati rice or with warm naan bread for a truly authentic and satisfying meal.Cooked basmati rice or naan