Homemade Butter Chicken

why make this recipe

You will love this recipe for Homemade Butter Chicken because it’s a comforting and flavorful dish that brings the taste of Indian cuisine right into your kitchen. It’s quick to prepare, making it perfect for a weeknight dinner or a cozy family meal. The combination of spices and creamy sauce makes it a hit with everyone, even kids! Plus, it’s budget-friendly, as you likely have a lot of these ingredients on hand.

how to make Homemade Butter Chicken

Step-by-step overview

Making Homemade Butter Chicken is simple and can be broken down into a few easy steps:

1. Marinate the chicken: Start by marinating the diced chicken in yogurt and spices for at least 30 minutes. This not only adds flavor but also helps tenderize the chicken.

2. Cook the onions: In a skillet, melt butter and sauté the onions until they are soft, bringing out their natural sweetness.

3. Brown the chicken: Add the marinated chicken and cook until it’s browned, which helps seal in the juices.

4. Add tomato puree: Stir in the tomato puree and let it simmer, which lets the flavors meld beautifully.

5. Finish with cream: Pour in the heavy cream for richness and simmer a little more until everything is well combined.

6. Serve: Pair it with fluffy rice or warm naan for a complete meal.

Ingredients

• 500g chicken breast, diced
• 1 cup yogurt
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1 onion, chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 inch ginger, grated
• 1 can (400g) tomato puree
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 2 teaspoons garam masala
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon turmeric
• Salt to taste
• Fluffy rice or naan for serving

Directions

1. Marinate the diced chicken in yogurt, garlic, ginger, garam masala, cumin, turmeric, and salt for at least 30 minutes.
2. In a large skillet, melt the butter over medium heat and sauté the onions until soft.
3. Add the marinated chicken to the skillet and cook until browned.
4. Stir in the tomato puree and simmer for 15 minutes.
5. Pour in the heavy cream and simmer for an additional 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
6. Serve with fluffy rice or warm naan.

how to serve Homemade Butter Chicken

Homemade Butter Chicken is best served over fluffy basmati rice or alongside warm naan. You might also want to add a side salad or raita for a refreshing contrast. Don’t forget to garnish it with fresh cilantro for an extra touch of flavor!

how to store Homemade Butter Chicken

To store Homemade Butter Chicken, let it cool completely, then transfer it to an airtight container. It can be kept in the fridge for up to 3 days. For longer storage, freeze it in individual portions. Just be sure to thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.

tips to make Homemade Butter Chicken

1. Marination is key: The longer you marinate the chicken, the more flavorful and tender it will be.
2. Use fresh spices: Freshly ground spices enhance the aroma and taste, so try to use whole spices when possible.
3. Adjust creaminess: If you prefer a lighter version, you can substitute some of the heavy cream with coconut milk.

variation

For a spicy kick, consider adding chopped green chilies to the onion mixture. You can also add vegetables like peas or bell peppers for extra nutrition and color.

FAQs

1. Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?
Yes, chicken thighs can be used for a richer flavor and more tenderness!

2. Is it necessary to marinate the chicken?
While it’s not strictly necessary, marinating greatly improves the flavor and tenderness of the chicken.

3. Can I make this dish ahead of time?
Absolutely! You can prepare Homemade Butter Chicken in advance and heat it up right before serving. It often tastes even better the next day as the flavors have more time to develop.

Homemade Butter Chicken

A comforting and flavorful Indian dish that's quick to prepare, perfect for weeknight dinners and family meals.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 30 minutes mins

Cook Time 25 minutes mins

Total Time 55 minutes mins

Servings: 4 servings

Course: Dinner, Main Course

Cuisine: Indian

Calories: 500

Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients

  

For the Chicken Marinade

• 500 g chicken breast, diced Can substitute with chicken thighs for richer flavor.
• 1 cup yogurt Used for marinating.
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 inch ginger, grated
• 2 teaspoons garam masala Use freshly ground for better flavor.
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon turmeric
• Salt to taste

For the Sauce

• 2 tablespoons butter Used for sautéing onions.
• 1 onion chopped Sauté until soft.
• 1 can (400g) tomato puree Adds richness to the sauce.
• 1 cup heavy cream Can substitute some with coconut milk for a lighter version.

For Serving

• Fluffy rice or naan To be served alongside the dish.

Method

 

Preparation

1. Marinate the diced chicken in yogurt, garlic, ginger, garam masala, cumin, turmeric, and salt for at least 30 minutes.

Cooking

1. In a large skillet, melt the butter over medium heat and sauté the onions until soft.
2. Add the marinated chicken to the skillet and cook until browned.
3. Stir in the tomato puree and simmer for 15 minutes.
4. Pour in the heavy cream and simmer for an additional 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Serving

1. Serve with fluffy rice or warm naan. Garnish with fresh cilantro if desired.

Notes

For a spicy kick, consider adding chopped green chilies to the onion mixture. You can also add vegetables like peas or bell peppers for extra nutrition and color. Marination is key for flavor and tenderness.