Easy Butter Chicken Recipe – Perfect for Beginners
This Quick & Easy Butter Chicken is rich, creamy, and full of flavor — made with tender chicken, aromatic spices, and a silky tomato-cream sauce. It’s better than takeout and ready in 30 minutes.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Ingredients
Scale
- 1½ lbs chicken thighs or breasts, chopped
- 1 onion, diced
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tbsp ginger, grated
- 2 tbsp butter + 2 tbsp for finishing
- 1 tbsp oil
- 1 can (15 oz) crushed tomatoes
- 1/2 cup heavy cream or Greek yogurt
- 1 tbsp tomato paste (optional)
- 1½ tsp garam masala
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1 tsp coriander
- 1/2 tsp turmeric
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1/4 tsp cayenne (optional)
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tbsp sugar (optional)
Instructions
- Heat oil in skillet, sear chicken with salt and paprika until golden. Set aside.
- Melt butter, sauté onion until soft. Add garlic and ginger.
- Stir in spices, cook 1 minute. Add tomatoes and tomato paste. Simmer 5–7 minutes.
- Optional: Blend for a smooth sauce.
- Stir in cream and sugar. Return chicken to pan. Simmer 10–12 minutes.
- Finish with remaining butter and garnish with cilantro.
Notes
- Serve with rice or naan.
- Use coconut cream and tofu for vegan version.
- Blend sauce for restaurant-style texture.