Easy Homemade Butter Chicken Recipe: A Flavorful Indian Classic

If you’ve ever craved the rich, creamy goodness of Easy Homemade Butter Chicken Recipe, you’re not alone. Butter chicken, or “murgh makhani,” is one of the most beloved dishes in Indian cuisine. It combines tender chicken with a smooth, flavorful tomato-based sauce, infused with warm spices and finished off with a touch of cream. Easy Homemade Butter Chicken Recipe brings this restaurant favorite straight to your kitchen with minimal effort and maximum flavor.

This dish is not only comforting but also incredibly versatile. You can pair it with naan, basmati rice, or even serve it over a bed of sautéed vegetables. Whether you’re making it for a special occasion or simply to enjoy on a weeknight, this Easy Homemade Butter Chicken Recipe will become a staple in your kitchen.

Why Easy Homemade Butter Chicken Recipe Is a Must-Try

The Perfect Blend of Spices and Creaminess

The magic of Easy Homemade Butter Chicken Recipe lies in its balanced flavor profile. The chicken is marinated with aromatic spices such as garam masala, turmeric, and cumin, giving it a warm, fragrant base. The sauce is where the magic truly happens—creamy and slightly tangy, it’s made from tomatoes, cream, and butter, with a subtle kick of heat from chili powder.

This dish’s creaminess comes from a generous amount of butter and heavy cream, making it rich and comforting. For those who love a bit of spice, the Easy Homemade Butter Chicken Recipe is customizable to your heat tolerance, so you can adjust the chili content as desired. For a milder version, try our Mild Butter Chicken Recipe that still brings all the rich flavors without the heat.

Easy Homemade Butter Chicken Recipe

This Easy Homemade Butter Chicken Recipe is creamy, comforting, and full of rich Indian flavors. Tender chicken cooked in a spiced tomato sauce with butter and cream.

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Prep Time 30 minutes mins

Cook Time 25 minutes mins

0 minutes mins

Total Time 55 minutes mins

Servings: 4 plates

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: Indian

Calories: 450

Ingredients Equipment Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients

  

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Chicken

• 1 1/2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces

Marinade

• 1/4 cup plain yogurt
• 2 tbsp lemon juice
• 2 tsp ground cumin
• 2 tsp ground coriander
• 1 tsp ground turmeric
• 1 tsp ground garam masala
• 1 tsp chili powder
• 1 tsp salt

Cooking Ingredients

• 1 tbsp vegetable oil
• 2 tbsp butter
• 1 medium onion, finely chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 inch fresh ginger, minced
• 1 can crushed tomatoes
• 1/2 cup heavy cream

Equipment

• Large skillet
• Mixing Bowl
• Wooden spoon
• Meat thermometer

Method

 

1. In a medium bowl, combine the chicken with yogurt, lemon juice, cumin, coriander, turmeric, garam masala, chili powder, and salt. Mix well and marinate for at least 30 minutes.
2. Heat oil in a large pan over medium-high heat. Add the marinated chicken and cook for 5-7 minutes, until browned. Remove the chicken from the pan and set aside.
3. In the same pan, melt the butter. Add the chopped onion, garlic, and ginger, and cook for 3-4 minutes until softened.
4. Add the crushed tomatoes to the pan and simmer for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
5. Add the chicken back into the pan with the tomato sauce, and stir in the heavy cream. Simmer for another 10 minutes until the chicken is cooked through and the sauce is thickened.
6. Serve hot with cooked rice or naan. Garnish with fresh cilantro, if desired.

Nutrition

Calories: 450kcalCarbohydrates: 12gProtein: 34gFat: 30gSaturated Fat: 14gCholesterol: 125mgSodium: 690mgPotassium: 570mgFiber: 3gSugar: 7gVitamin A: 20IUVitamin C: 8mgCalcium: 6mgIron: 15mg

Notes

For a spicier version, increase the amount of chili powder or add chopped green chilies to the sauce.

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A Quick Yet Delicious Dish

One of the reasons Easy Homemade Butter Chicken Recipe is so loved is its simplicity. While traditional butter chicken can take hours to perfect, this easy version condenses all the flavors into a quick 30-minute process. The chicken marinates in just 20 minutes, and the entire dish comes together in under an hour, making it perfect for a busy weeknight dinner.

For other quick Indian recipes, be sure to check out our Easy Chicken Tikka Masala Recipe or the Simple Chicken Korma Recipe for more flavorful, easy-to-make meals.

Key Ingredients for the Best Easy Homemade Butter Chicken Recipe

Chicken – The Star of the Dish

The best Easy Homemade Butter Chicken Recipe starts with quality chicken. Boneless, skinless chicken thighs are ideal because they remain tender and juicy throughout the cooking process. You can also use chicken breasts, though they may dry out slightly more. The chicken is marinated in a blend of yogurt, lemon juice, and spices, which helps to tenderize the meat and infuse it with flavor. The creamy base is made with butter, heavy cream, and crushed tomatoes. These ingredients combine to create the smooth, luscious sauce that coats the tender chicken. But there’s one key ingredient that really sets this dish apart—turmeric.

Turmeric not only provides a warm, earthy flavor to the sauce, but it also has numerous health benefits. It’s packed with antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties, making it a great addition to your diet. If you’d like to learn more about how turmeric can benefit your health, check out this informative article on The Health Benefits of Turmeric. It dives deeper into why this golden spice is such an essential part of a healthy diet.

If you prefer to use a different protein, try our Butter Chicken with Shrimp or a Vegetarian Butter Chickpeas version for a meatless alternative.

The Creamy Tomato Sauce

The sauce is the heart of any Easy Homemade Butter Chicken Recipe. It’s made from a combination of pureed tomatoes, butter, and heavy cream. The tomato base gives the sauce a rich flavor, while the butter and cream create a silky smooth texture. Garlic, ginger, and spices like garam masala, turmeric, and coriander give the sauce depth and warmth, making it truly irresistible.

If you want to try a more traditional Indian dish, you might also enjoy our Chicken Vindaloo Recipe, which features a bold, tangy sauce with a touch of heat. For a lighter sauce, try our Tomato Basil Chicken for a healthier option.

How to Make Easy Homemade Butter Chicken Recipe

Marinating the Chicken

For the sauce, heat butter in a pan and sauté garlic and ginger until fragrant. Add in the ground spices—garam masala, cumin, coriander, and a bit of chili powder for heat. Once the spices bloom, add in the pureed tomatoes and simmer until the sauce thickens. Stir in heavy cream, season with salt, and simmer for a few minutes until the sauce is silky smooth.

For an extra flavor boost, you can also add a teaspoon of honey or sugar to balance the acidity of the tomatoes. Looking for more sauce ideas? Explore our Homemade Tomato Sauce Recipe or our Indian Curry Sauce Base for additional inspiration.

Making the Sauce

For the sauce, heat butter in a pan and sauté garlic and ginger until fragrant. Add in the ground spices—garam masala, cumin, coriander, and a bit of chili powder for heat. Once the spices bloom, add in the pureed tomatoes and simmer until the sauce thickens. Stir in heavy cream, season with salt, and simmer for a few minutes until the sauce is silky smooth.

For an extra flavor boost, you can also add a teaspoon of honey or sugar to balance the acidity of the tomatoes. Looking for more sauce ideas? Explore our Homemade Tomato Sauce Recipe or our Indian Curry Sauce Base for additional inspiration.

Serving Your Easy Homemade Butter Chicken Recipe

Pairing with Sides

The Easy Homemade Butter Chicken Recipe is best served with warm, fluffy naan or basmati rice to soak up all the flavorful sauce. You can also serve it with roasted vegetables or a fresh green salad for a well-rounded meal. The richness of the butter chicken pairs wonderfully with the freshness of these sides.

For a complete Indian meal, try pairing the butter chicken with our Garlic Naan Recipe or a side of Cilantro Lime Rice. These sides will complement the creamy sauce and enhance the dish’s flavors

Storing and Reheating Leftovers

Leftover Easy Homemade Butter Chicken Recipe keeps well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Simply store it in an airtight container. When reheating, add a splash of water or cream to loosen the sauce and prevent it from thickening too much.

You can also freeze butter chicken for up to 3 months. Let it cool completely before transferring it to a freezer-safe container. For more tips on storing leftovers, check out our Leftover Meal Prep Guide.

Serving Up the Final Words

Easy Homemade Butter Chicken Recipe is a rich and flavorful dish that brings the taste of India to your home with minimal effort. The creamy, spiced sauce and tender chicken come together to create a comforting meal that pairs perfectly with naan or rice. Whether you’re making it for a special occasion or a weeknight dinner, this dish is sure to impress.

Once you try this simple yet indulgent recipe, it will undoubtedly become a regular in your household. So, gather your ingredients, get cooking, and enjoy the flavors of Easy Homemade Butter Chicken Recipe!

Frequently Asked Questions