Best Ever Quick & Easy Homemade Butter Chicken: A Weeknight Favorite!
There’s nothing quite like the comforting aroma of a simmering curry filling your kitchen, especially on a chilly evening. I remember countless times, after a particularly hectic workday, craving something deeply satisfying and flavorful but just not having the energy for a complex culinary adventure. That’s exactly how my love affair with this Quick & Easy Homemade Butter Chicken began!
It started as a quest to recreate that beloved takeout taste without the fuss, and honestly, this recipe has become an absolute game-changer in my household. It’s a true family favorite, delivering rich, creamy, and perfectly spiced goodness that’s so much simpler than you might think. Say goodbye to complicated steps and hello to a truly easy dinner solution that tastes like it came from your favorite Indian restaurant.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
❤️ Here are just a few reasons why this Quick & Easy Homemade Butter Chicken will become a staple in your meal rotation:
- Seriously Quick: Forget marinating overnight! This recipe gets dinner on the table in under an hour, making it perfect for busy weeknights.
- Incredibly Flavorful: Despite its speed, this dish doesn’t compromise on taste. It’s packed with aromatic spices, rich tomatoes, and creamy goodness that will tantalize your taste buds.
- Better Than Takeout: Achieve that authentic, velvety restaurant-quality butter chicken right in your own kitchen, often at a fraction of the cost and with ingredients you control.
- Simple Ingredients: You won’t need a trip to a specialty store. Most ingredients are pantry staples or easily found at any grocery store.
- Family-Friendly: The mild, subtly sweet, and creamy sauce is a hit with both adults and children alike. You can easily adjust the spice level to suit everyone’s preference.
- One-Pan Wonder: Mostly cooked in a single pan after searing the chicken, meaning less cleanup and more time to enjoy your delicious meal.
- Perfectly Customizable: Whether you like it spicier, milder, or with added veggies, this recipe is incredibly adaptable to your personal taste.
- Comfort Food at Its Best: It’s the ultimate comfort food, warming you from the inside out and leaving you feeling deeply satisfied after every bite.
- Impressive & Easy: It looks and tastes impressive enough for guests, yet it’s simple enough for a beginner cook. You’ll feel like a pro!
- Meal Prep Friendly: It reheats beautifully and freezes well, making it ideal for meal prepping or having delicious leftovers for lunch.
What You Need
You only need a few simple pantry staples for this recipe! We’re talking tender chicken, classic Indian spices, a rich tomato base, and of course, plenty of butter and cream for that signature silky texture. Check the full printable recipe card below for detailed measurements and exact ingredient quantities. You’ll be surprised how accessible these ingredients are!
Expert Tips
💡 Elevate your Quick & Easy Homemade Butter Chicken from great to absolutely unforgettable with these pro tips:
- Marination Matters (Even for Quick Recipes): While this is a quick recipe, even 15-30 minutes of marinating the chicken in yogurt and spices makes a huge difference in tenderness and flavor. If you have an hour, definitely let it marinate. The yogurt helps tenderize the chicken beautifully.
- Sear the Chicken Properly: Don’t overcrowd your pan when browning the chicken. Work in batches if necessary to get a nice, even sear. This caramelization adds incredible depth of flavor that’s crucial for a rich butter chicken. It also locks in the juices.
- Bloom Your Spices: When adding the ground spices (garam masala, turmeric, cumin, chili powder), toast them briefly in the butter and oil before adding the tomatoes. This process, called ‘blooming,’ enhances their aroma and flavor significantly, making the curry more fragrant and complex. Stir continuously for about 30-60 seconds until fragrant.
- Balance the Sweetness and Acidity: Butter chicken typically has a slight sweetness to balance the tangy tomatoes. Adjust the sugar or honey to your taste. A pinch of extra sugar can tame any tartness from the tomatoes, while a splash of lemon juice at the end can brighten the flavors.
- Temper Your Cream: To prevent your heavy cream from curdling when added to a hot sauce, slowly whisk a small amount of the hot sauce into the cream first (this is called tempering). Then, gradually add the warmed cream mixture back into the main pot. This helps stabilize the cream.
- Achieve the Perfect Consistency: If your sauce is too thick, thin it with a little warm water, chicken broth, or milk until it reaches your desired consistency. If it’s too thin, let it simmer uncovered for a few extra minutes to reduce and thicken slightly.
- Fresh Ginger and Garlic are Key: While powders can work in a pinch, fresh grated ginger and minced garlic make an enormous difference in the vibrancy and depth of the curry. Don’t skip them!
- Garnish Generously: A sprinkle of fresh cilantro not only adds a beautiful pop of color but also a fresh, herbaceous note that brightens the entire dish. A final swirl of cream or a pat of butter before serving also adds to the rich aesthetic and taste.
- Serve with the Right Companions: This butter chicken is divine with fluffy basmati rice, warm naan bread (for soaking up all that incredible sauce!), or even simple roti. A fresh cucumber-tomato raita can also provide a refreshing counterpoint.
Variations & Substitutions
This Quick & Easy Homemade Butter Chicken recipe is wonderfully adaptable!
- Vegetarian/Vegan: Substitute chicken with paneer (Indian cheese), chickpeas, or plant-based chicken alternatives. Use coconut cream or cashew cream instead of dairy cream, and a plant-based butter alternative.
- Keto-Friendly: Omit the sugar or use a keto-friendly sweetener. Ensure your yogurt is unsweetened and full-fat. This recipe is already fairly low-carb!
- Gluten-Free: This recipe is naturally gluten-free! Just ensure your garam masala and other spices don’t contain any hidden gluten fillers.
- Add Vegetables: Stir in some spinach, peas, bell peppers, or cauliflower florets during the last 10-15 minutes of simmering for added nutrition and texture.
- Spice Level: For more heat, add a pinch more cayenne pepper or a chopped green chili with the ginger and garlic. For less heat, reduce the chili powder.
Storage & Freezing
This butter chicken is fantastic for meal prepping and tastes even better the next day!
- Refrigeration: Store leftover butter chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
- Freezing: Allow the curry to cool completely, then transfer it to a freezer-safe container. It can be frozen for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
- Reheating: Gently reheat on the stovetop over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, until heated through. You may need to add a splash of water, milk, or broth to adjust the consistency. Avoid boiling vigorously, especially if it contains dairy, to prevent separation.
FAQ
What kind of chicken is best for Butter Chicken?
Boneless, skinless chicken thighs are highly recommended because they remain juicy and tender even after simmering. Chicken breasts can also be used, but be careful not to overcook them as they can dry out more easily. Cut chicken into 1-inch pieces for even cooking.
Can I make this spicier?
Absolutely! The beauty of homemade butter chicken is customization. You can increase the amount of chili powder, add a pinch of cayenne pepper with the other spices, or even throw in a finely chopped green chili (like a serrano or jalapeño) when you sauté the ginger and garlic. Taste as you go to achieve your desired level of heat.
How do I get a smooth sauce?
While this recipe yields a wonderfully smooth sauce naturally, for an ultra-silky restaurant-style finish, you can blend the sauce (after simmering and before adding the cream and chicken back in) using an immersion blender directly in the pot, or carefully transfer it to a regular blender. Blend until perfectly smooth, then return to the pot to continue the recipe.
What should I serve with Butter Chicken?
Classic accompaniments include fluffy basmati rice, warm garlic naan bread, or roti. A side of cooling cucumber raita (yogurt dip) or a simple fresh salad can also provide a lovely contrast to the rich curry.
Can I prepare any components ahead of time?
Yes! You can marinate the chicken up to 24 hours in advance in the refrigerator. You can also make the base sauce (before adding the cream and chicken) a day ahead and store it in the fridge. This makes assembly even quicker on the day you plan to serve it.
This Quick & Easy Homemade Butter Chicken truly embodies everything I love about cooking: incredible flavor, minimal fuss, and pure joy at the dinner table. Give it a try this week, and prepare to fall in love!
Don’t forget to pin this recipe for later so you can easily find it for your next delicious meal prep or family dinner!
Quick & Easy Homemade Butter Chicken: Your New Go-To Recipe!
Ingredients
- 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into 1-inch pieces
- 1/2 cup plain whole milk yogurt
- 1 tbsp grated fresh ginger, divided
- 2 cloves garlic, minced, divided
- 1 tsp ground turmeric
- 1 tsp garam masala
- 1/2 tsp chili powder
- 1/2 tsp ground cumin
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter
- 1 tbsp vegetable oil
- 1 large onion, finely chopped
- 1 (15-oz) can crushed tomatoes
- 1 tbsp tomato paste
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1-2 tsp sugar or honey (to taste)
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- Fresh cilantro, chopped, for garnish
Instructions
- Step 1 In a bowl, combine chicken pieces with yogurt, half of the ginger, half of the garlic, turmeric, garam masala, chili powder, cumin, salt, and pepper. Mix well. Marinate for at least 15 minutes, or up to 24 hours in the fridge.
- Step 2 Heat 2 tbsp butter and 1 tbsp oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add marinated chicken in batches (do not overcrowd) and sear until lightly browned on all sides, about 3-4 minutes per batch. Remove chicken from the pan and set aside.
- Step 3 Reduce heat to medium. Add remaining 2 tbsp butter to the pan. Add chopped onion and sautu00e9 until softened and translucent, about 5-7 minutes. Add remaining ginger and garlic and cook for 1 minute more until fragrant.
- Step 4 Stir in crushed tomatoes and tomato paste. Bring to a simmer and cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, allowing flavors to meld.
- Step 5 Return the seared chicken to the pan. Stir in the heavy cream and sugar/honey. Bring to a gentle simmer and cook for another 10-15 minutes, or until chicken is cooked through and the sauce has thickened slightly. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
- Step 6 Garnish with fresh cilantro and serve hot with basmati rice and naan bread.
