Name: Quick Easy Homemade Butter Chicken Recipe
Prep time: 45 min
Cook time: 55 min
Total time: 1 h 40 min
Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients: 1.5 lbs skinless boneless 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 garlic cloves, 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 is often seen as a challenging endeavor, reserved only for restaurant kitchens, but I’m here to tell you that this simply isn’t true! Prepare to embark on a culinary journey right from your own kitchen, creating a dish so rich, creamy, and vibrantly flavorful, it will astound your taste buds and impress everyone at your dinner table. Forget the long waits for takeout; this incredible, comforting Indian classic is more accessible than you ever imagined.

Unveiling a Global Favorite: The Magic of Butter Chicken

Originating in the bustling kitchens of Delhi, India, in the 1950s, Murgh Makhani, or Butter Chicken as it’s famously known, has captivated palates worldwide. It’s a testament to the power of a perfectly balanced sauce – a luxurious blend of tomatoes, ginger, garlic, and aromatic spices, all mellowed with a touch of cream and butter. People adore this dish not just for its tender, succulent chicken, but for that incredibly smooth, velvety sauce that begs to be scooped up with warm naan or fluffy rice.

My goal today is to demystify this beloved Indian staple, demonstrating that a truly authentic and utterly delicious Quick Easy Homemade Butter Chicken Recipe is well within your reach. You’ll discover how simple it is to achieve that signature smoky depth and irresistible sweetness, making it a regular and cherished addition to your meal rotation. Get ready to transform everyday ingredients into an extraordinary feast!

Ingredients:

For the Chicken Marinade:
- 1.5 lbs (about 680g) boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts, cut into 1-inch cubes
- 1/2 cup plain full-fat yogurt (Greek yogurt works beautifully for a thicker marinade)
- 1 tablespoon ginger-garlic paste (or 1-inch fresh ginger, grated, and 3 cloves garlic, minced)
- 1 teaspoon red chili powder (Kashmiri chili powder for color, or regular for heat)
- 1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon garam masala
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
For the Butter Chicken Sauce:
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 tablespoon neutral oil (like canola or vegetable)
- 1 large yellow onion, finely diced
- 1 tablespoon ginger-garlic paste
- 1 teaspoon red chili powder (adjust to your spice preference)
- 1 teaspoon ground coriander
- 1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder
- 1/2 teaspoon garam masala
- 1 (28-ounce) can crushed tomatoes (good quality makes a difference!)
- 1/2 cup raw cashews (soaked in hot water for 15 minutes, then drained, for an extra creamy sauce)
- 1/2 cup water or chicken broth
- 1/2 cup heavy cream (or half-and-half for a lighter version)
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar (or to taste, balances the tanginess)
- 1 teaspoon dried fenugreek leaves (Kasuri Methi), crushed between your palms (this is a secret weapon ingredient!)
- Salt to taste
For Garnish:
- Fresh cilantro, chopped
- A swirl of heavy cream

Marinating the Chicken – The Flavor Foundation

Prepare the Chicken: First things first, let’s get our chicken ready. I like to use boneless, skinless chicken thighs for this recipe because they stay incredibly tender and juicy, but breasts work well too if that’s what you prefer. Cut your chicken into roughly 1-inch cubes. It’s important to make sure they are somewhat uniform in size so they cook evenly. Once cut, pat the chicken pieces thoroughly dry with paper towels. Removing excess moisture helps the marinade cling better and promotes a lovely sear later on. This simple step is crucial for achieving that amazing texture in our Quick Easy Homemade Butter Chicken Recipe.
Whisk Up the Marinade: In a large mixing bowl, combine all the marinade ingredients: the plain full-fat yogurt (Greek yogurt gives a thicker, richer coating, which I absolutely adore), ginger-garlic paste, red chili powder, turmeric powder, ground cumin, garam masala, and salt. Whisk everything together until you have a smooth, aromatic paste. Don’t skip the ginger-garlic paste; it’s a cornerstone of Indian cooking flavor!
Marinate the Chicken: Add the cubed chicken to the marinade bowl. Using your hands (or a spoon, but I find hands work best for full coverage), toss the chicken thoroughly, ensuring every piece is completely coated in that vibrant, fragrant mixture. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or transfer the chicken to a Ziploc bag. Now, the waiting game begins. Pop it into the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes. For the absolute best flavor and tender results, I highly recommend marinating for at least 2-4 hours, or even better, overnight. This extended marination time allows the yogurt and spices to truly penetrate the chicken, making our Quick Easy Homemade Butter Chicken Recipe truly stand out.

Crafting the Rich and Velvety Sauce – The Heart of Our Dish

Prep Your Aromatics: While the chicken is marinating, let’s get a head start on our incredible sauce. Grab your large yellow onion and finely dice it. The finer the dice, the faster it will cook down and melt into your sauce, contributing to that desirable smooth texture. Next, if you’re not using pre-made paste, prepare your ginger-garlic paste – mince about an inch of fresh ginger and three cloves of garlic. Having everything prepped and ready (mise en place!) makes the cooking process so much smoother and more enjoyable.
Sauté the Onions: In a large, heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven, melt 3 tablespoons of unsalted butter with 1 tablespoon of neutral oil over medium heat. The oil helps prevent the butter from burning, giving you a beautiful golden base. Once the butter is melted and slightly bubbling, add your finely diced onions. Sauté them patiently, stirring occasionally, until they turn soft, translucent, and a lovely golden-brown color. This usually takes about 8-10 minutes. Patience here is key! Caramelizing the onions properly builds the foundational sweetness and depth of flavor for our sauce.
Bloom the Spices: Once the onions are perfectly golden, add the ginger-garlic paste to the pot. Sauté for another minute until fragrant, making sure not to burn it. Then, it’s time for our ground spices for the sauce: red chili powder, ground coriander, turmeric powder, and garam masala. Add them to the pot and stir continuously for about 30 seconds to a minute. This process, called “blooming” the spices, in the hot oil and butter releases their essential oils and amplifies their aroma and flavor. You’ll notice a wonderfully fragrant scent filling your kitchen.
Incorporate the Tomatoes: Immediately after blooming the spices (before they burn!), pour in the entire 28-ounce can of crushed tomatoes. Give it a good stir, making sure to scrape up any bits from the bottom of the pot. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, then reduce the heat to low, cover, and let it cook for about 15-20 minutes. This slow simmer allows the tomatoes to break down further, their flavors to meld with the spices, and the raw tomato taste to cook out. You’ll notice the sauce thickening and deepening in color.
Add the Cashews: For that signature rich creaminess that our Quick Easy Homemade Butter Chicken Recipe is known for, add the raw cashews to the simmering tomato mixture. If you soaked them beforehand, they’ll blend even more smoothly. Cashews add a lovely texture and mild sweetness that complements the spices beautifully. Stir them in and let them cook with the sauce for the last 5 minutes of the simmer.
Simmer and Prepare for Blending: After the tomato mixture has cooked down, remove the pot from the heat. Carefully transfer the entire contents of the pot to a blender. If you have an immersion blender, you can blend it directly in the pot, which is super convenient! Add about 1/2 cup of water or chicken broth to the blender – this helps achieve the right consistency for blending and contributes to the liquid volume of the final sauce.
Blend Until Silky Smooth: Blend the sauce until it is completely smooth and creamy. This step is absolutely crucial for achieving the luxurious texture of butter chicken. Take your time with this – you don’t want any chunky bits of onion or cashew remaining. The sauce should be velvety and uniform. If using a regular blender, be cautious when blending hot liquids; fill it no more than halfway, secure the lid, and start on a low speed, gradually increasing.
Strain for Ultimate Smoothness (Optional, but Highly Recommended): For the most restaurant-quality, silky-smooth butter chicken, I always recommend straining the blended sauce. Place a fine-mesh sieve over a clean pot and pour the blended sauce through it, using a spoon or spatula to push it through. This removes any tiny, stubborn bits of onion, cashew, or spice skins, resulting in an incomparably smooth sauce. It might seem like an extra step, but trust me, it makes all the difference in achieving that perfectly rich texture for your Quick Easy Homemade Butter Chicken Recipe.

Cooking the Chicken and Bringing It All Together

Sear the Marinated Chicken: Heat a large skillet or a separate heavy-bottomed pan over medium-high heat. Add a tablespoon of butter or oil. Once hot, add the marinated chicken pieces in a single layer, making sure not to overcrowd the pan. You might need to do this in two batches to ensure proper browning. Sear the chicken for 3-4 minutes per side until it has a beautiful golden-brown crust and is cooked through. The exact cooking time will depend on the size of your chicken pieces. The browning adds another layer of flavor and texture to our dish. Remove the seared chicken from the pan and set aside.
Combine Sauce and Chicken: Pour the strained (or unstrained, if you skipped that step) sauce back into your large pot or Dutch oven and place it over medium-low heat. Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer, stirring occasionally. Once simmering, carefully add the seared chicken pieces to the sauce. Gently stir to ensure the chicken is fully submerged and coated.
The Signature Finish: This is where the magic truly happens for our Quick Easy Homemade Butter Chicken Recipe! Add the heavy cream, granulated sugar, and the crushed dried fenugreek leaves (Kasuri Methi) to the pot. Crush the fenugreek leaves between your palms before adding them – this helps release their unique, slightly bitter, sweet, and aromatic flavor, which is absolutely essential for authentic butter chicken. Stir everything together gently.
Let the butter chicken simmer on low heat for another 5-10 minutes, allowing all the flavors to meld and the sauce to thicken slightly. The chicken will finish cooking in the sauce, absorbing all that incredible richness. Avoid boiling vigorously; a gentle simmer is all you need.
Taste and Adjust: Now for the best part – tasting! Carefully taste the butter chicken. This is your chance to adjust the seasoning. Does it need a pinch more salt? A little more sugar to balance the tanginess of the tomatoes? Perhaps a touch more red chili powder if you like it spicier, or even a tiny splash more cream if you want it extra luxurious. Remember, cooking is all about balancing flavors to your personal preference. I often find a tiny squeeze of lemon juice at the end can brighten everything up beautifully.

Serving Your Quick Easy Homemade Butter Chicken

Garnish and Serve: Once you’re happy with the flavor, remove the pot from the heat. Ladle generous portions of your perfectly cooked, rich, and creamy Quick Easy Homemade Butter Chicken Recipe into serving bowls. Garnish each serving with a lovely swirl of fresh heavy cream and a sprinkle of freshly chopped cilantro. The vibrant green of the cilantro not only adds freshness but also a beautiful pop of color.
Enjoy with Your Favorite Sides: This incredible dish is best enjoyed hot! Serve it alongside fluffy basmati rice, warm garlic naan bread, or a stack of plain roti to sop up every last drop of that amazing sauce. It’s also fantastic with a simple side salad or a cooling raita. Get ready to impress yourself and your loved ones with this truly comforting and flavorful homemade meal. Enjoy every bite of your very own perfectly crafted butter chicken!

Conclusion:

If there’s one dish I could urge you to try your hand at this week, it’s this incredibly satisfying Butter Chicken. You’ve now seen just how straightforward it is to bring a restaurant-quality meal right into your own kitchen, and I truly believe this particular iteration is a game-changer. It’s not just a meal; it’s an experience of rich, aromatic flavors that dance on your palate, a testament to how simple ingredients, when treated with a little love and the right technique, can transform into something extraordinary. This isn’t just another dinner idea; it’s an invitation to elevate your weeknight meals, proving that authentic, deeply flavorful Indian cuisine is entirely within your grasp, without hours of effort. The depth of flavor achieved in such a short amount of time is truly remarkable, making this a must-try for anyone seeking warmth and comfort in a bowl. Forget lengthy marination times or complex spice blends; we’ve streamlined the process to deliver maximum taste with minimal fuss.

When you finally pull your delicious creation off the stove, brimming with that signature vibrant orange hue and creamy texture, you’ll want to serve it right. My absolute favorite way to enjoy this Butter Chicken is alongside fluffy, perfectly steamed Basmati rice, which soaks up every last bit of that exquisite sauce. Don’t forget a side of warm, pillowy naan bread, perfect for scooping and wiping the bowl clean. If you’re feeling a little fancy, a dollop of fresh yogurt or a drizzle of extra cream on top adds a beautiful visual and a touch more richness. For a complete meal, a simple cucumber raita or a crisp green salad with a light vinaigrette makes for a refreshing counterpoint to the dish’s richness. You could even get creative and use the leftovers (if there are any!) as a filling for wraps or a unique topping for baked potatoes. The possibilities for pairing are as delightful as the dish itself!

One of the beautiful things about cooking at home is the freedom to customize, and this recipe is wonderfully adaptable. If you love a little more heat, feel free to increase the amount of cayenne pepper or add a finely chopped green chili during the sautéing stage. For those who prefer a milder flavor, simply reduce the chili or omit it entirely. If you’re looking to sneak in some extra vegetables, bell peppers, spinach, or even peas would be fantastic additions, stirred in during the last few minutes of cooking. For our vegetarian friends, this recipe can be easily adapted by substituting the chicken with paneer (Indian cheese), tofu, or a hearty mix of chickpeas and cauliflower. And for those with dietary restrictions, coconut milk or cream can be a wonderful dairy-free alternative, lending a slightly different but equally delicious character to the sauce. This flexibility ensures that the Quick Easy Homemade Butter Chicken Recipe can truly become a staple in any household, tailored to individual tastes and preferences.

Now, it’s your turn. Don’t just read about it; dive into your kitchen and experience the magic yourself! I genuinely believe that once you try this recipe, you’ll be amazed at how effortlessly you can recreate such an iconic dish. So gather your ingredients, put on your favorite apron, and embark on this delicious culinary adventure. I am absolutely thrilled for you to discover the joy of making this Butter Chicken from scratch. And once you do, please, please share your creations with me and the rest of our cooking community! What did you pair it with? Did you add any unique twists? What was your family’s reaction? Your feedback and shared experiences are what truly bring these recipes to life for others. Happy cooking, and I can’t wait to hear all about your homemade Butter Chicken success story!