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Quick Easy Homemade Butter Chicken

Quick Easy Homemade Butter Chicken

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.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Marinating Time (Optional) 15 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Indian
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts cut into 1-inch pieces
  • 1.5 tablespoons vegetable oil or ghee
  • 1 large onion finely chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 tablespoon fresh ginger grated
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon ground coriander
  • 0.5 teaspoon turmeric powder
  • 0.5 teaspoon garam masala
  • 0.25 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

Equipment

  • Medium Bowl
  • Large skillet or Dutch oven
  • Saucepan

Method
 

  1. 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
  2. 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
  3. 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
  4. 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
  5. 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
  6. 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
  7. 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.
  8. 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
  9. 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
  10. 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

Notes

This recipe transforms humble ingredients into a culinary masterpiece, proving that authentic Indian flavors are accessible to everyone. Unlike other chicken curries that can be overly complicated, this recipe streamlines the process without sacrificing even an ounce of its incredible taste.