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Close-up of Butter Chicken Recipe served with fluffy basmati rice, garnished with fresh cilantro.

butter chicken recipe

A rich and creamy Indian butter chicken recipe made with yogurt-marinated chicken simmered in a spiced tomato and cream sauce, perfect with basmati rice or naan.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Marinating Time 2 hours
Total Time 2 hours 45 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Main Course, Dinner
Cuisine: Indian, Asian
Calories: 410
Ingredients Equipment Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1.5 lbs Boneless chicken thighs or breasts _ Cut into chunks
  • 1 cup Plain Greek yogurt _ For marinade
  • 1 tablespoon Fresh ginger - Minced
  • 3 cloves Garlic _ Minced
  • 2 teaspoon Garam masala
  • 1 teaspoon Salt
For the Sauce:
  • 3 tablespoon Butter _ Unsalted preferred
  • 1 medium Yellow onion _ Diced
  • 1 tablespoon Fresh ginger _ Diced
  • 3 cloves Garlic _ Minced
  • 1 can Crushed tomatoes _ 15 oz
  • 2 tablespoon Tomato paste
  • 1 cup Heavy cream
  • 1 teaspoon Garam masala
  • 1 teaspoon Ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon Paprika
  • To taste Salt and black pepper
Optional Garnish:
  • Fresh cilantro
  • Basmati rice or naan bread for serving

Equipment

  • 1 Large skillet or Dutch oven (For cooking sauce and chicken)
  • 1 Wooden spoon (Stirring)
  • 1 Mixing bowl (For chicken marinade)
  • 1 Sharp knife (For chopping onion, garlic, ginger)
  • 1 Cutting board (Prep vegetables and chicken)

Method
 

  1. Mix yogurt, garlic, ginger, garam masala, and salt; coat chicken and marinate 30 min–4 hrs.
    Chicken marinating in yogurt and spices inside a bowl, coated with herbs and chili flakes.
  2. Heat butter, sauté onion until softened, add garlic, ginger, and tomato paste.
    Sautéed onions and diced tomatoes cooking together in a skillet with spices.
  3. Pour in crushed tomatoes and spices; simmer 10 minutes, season with salt and pepper.
    Pan of diced tomatoes simmering with spices and seasonings, stirred with a wooden spoon.
  4. Add marinated chicken, simmer 8–10 minutes until cooked; stir in cream.
    Skillet of chicken pieces cooking in a creamy spiced sauce with herbs and red pepper flakes.
  5. Simmer 5 minutes, adjust seasoning, serve with rice, garnish with cilantro.
    Bowl of creamy butter chicken with basmati rice, topped with chopped cilantro and served with naan on the side.

Nutrition

Serving: 350gCalories: 410kcalCarbohydrates: 12gProtein: 30gFat: 26gSaturated Fat: 14gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 8gCholesterol: 120mgSodium: 680mgPotassium: 720mgFiber: 3gSugar: 4gVitamin A: 1200IUVitamin C: 12mgCalcium: 90mgIron: 4mg

Notes

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
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