Quick & Easy Homemade Butter Chicken Recipe

I absolutely love this Quick & Easy Homemade Butter Chicken Recipe because it brings the rich, comforting flavors of classic Indian cuisine straight to your kitchen without any fuss. When I first tried making butter chicken at home, I was intimidated by all the spices and long cooking times, but this version proved me wrong—it’s simple, fast, and incredibly satisfying.

You’ll find that this butter chicken is perfect for weeknight dinners or when you want to impress friends without spending hours cooking. The creamy tomato sauce paired with tender, marinated chicken hits every note of warmth and richness you crave, making it a dish I keep coming back to time and time again.

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Ingredients You’ll Need

These ingredients work beautifully together to create the perfect balance of creamy, spicy, and savory notes in this Quick & Easy Homemade Butter Chicken Recipe. Most of them are pantry staples or easily found at any grocery store.

• Chicken thighs: I prefer thighs because they stay juicy and tender, but breast works if you like leaner meat.
• Salt: Enhances all the flavors and helps tenderize the chicken when marinating.
• Garlic powder: Adds a subtle, mellow garlic flavor that builds in the sauce.
• Sweet paprika: For color and mild smokiness without overpowering heat.
• Curry powder: This aromatic spice blend is key to that signature butter chicken taste.
• Greek yogurt: Makes the chicken marinade creamy and helps tenderize the meat.
• Vegetable oil: Neutral oil works best to cook the chicken evenly.
• Butter: Adds richness and silky texture to the sauce—don’t skip it!
• Garlic cloves: Fresh garlic creates a fragrant base for the sauce.
• Onion: I like to dice it finely so it melts nicely into the sauce.
• Tomato sauce: The foundation of the sauce’s vibrant color and tang.
• Sugar: Balances the acidity of the tomato sauce.
• Black pepper: Adds a gentle heat to deepen flavors.
• Heavy cream: Makes the sauce luxuriously creamy and smooth.
• Cayenne pepper (optional): For when you want a little extra kick.
• Garam masala: The final flourish of spices that bring everything together.
• Fresh parsley (optional): Adds a touch of color and freshness as a garnish.
• Naan bread & steamed rice: Essential for soaking up every last bit of this delicious sauce.

Variations

I love keeping this recipe flexible depending on what I have in the pantry or my mood. You can easily tweak it to suit your spice tolerance or dietary preferences!

• Spice Level: When I want a little extra heat, I add cayenne pepper and a pinch of chili flakes, but feel free to omit for a milder dish.
• Dairy-Free Version: I once swapped heavy cream with coconut milk and used olive oil instead of butter to make a dairy-free version that was surprisingly good.
• Protein Swap: Tried it with tofu for a vegetarian twist and it turned out delicious—just marinate longer for flavor.

How to Make Quick & Easy Homemade Butter Chicken Recipe

Step 1: Marinate the Chicken

Start by mixing the chicken with salt, garlic powder, paprika, curry powder, and Greek yogurt. I like to use my hands for this—it helps everything get nicely coated. Let it rest for at least 15 minutes; this not only tenderizes the chicken but really infuses it with flavor. If you have time, giving it a longer marinade makes it even better, but 15 minutes works perfectly for a quick dinner.

Step 2: Cook the Chicken

Heat vegetable oil in a large pan over medium-high heat, then add the marinated chicken chunks. Cooking for 8-10 minutes, stir occasionally so each piece gets a nice golden sear. Be careful not to overcrowd the pan, or the chicken will steam instead of brown. Once cooked through, remove the chicken and set it aside—don’t worry, the magic is just beginning!

Step 3: Prepare the Sauce Base

Lower the heat to medium and add a tablespoon of butter to that same pan with the leftover oil. Scrape all the browned bits from the bottom with a spatula—they’re full of flavor! Toss in the minced garlic and diced onion with a pinch of salt. Sauté until the onions are soft and translucent, which usually takes about 5 minutes. You’ll know it’s ready when your kitchen smells irresistible.

Step 4: Build the Sauce and Return the Chicken

Pour in the tomato sauce and sprinkle in sugar, simmering for a few minutes to blend the flavors. Now add the cooked chicken back in and give everything a good stir. Slowly pour in the heavy cream—you’ll see the sauce turn into this gorgeous creamy orange that’s just begging to be savored.

Step 5: Season and Simmer

This is where you add cayenne pepper (if you’re feeling adventurous), garam masala, curry powder, and black pepper. Let everything simmer gently on low heat for about 10 minutes. It’s important to keep the heat low so the cream doesn’t separate and the flavors meld beautifully. Taste as you go and adjust salt or spices to make it just right for you.

Step 6: Finish with Butter

Turn off the heat and stir in the last two tablespoons of cold butter. This step is key—it melts into the sauce and gives it that silky, glossy finish that makes this butter chicken truly special. Sprinkle freshly chopped parsley on top, if you like a fresh pop of color and flavor.

Step 7: Serve and Enjoy

Serve your Quick & Easy Homemade Butter Chicken Recipe nice and hot alongside fluffy steamed rice and warm naan bread. I promise, once you taste that first bite, you’ll be hooked!

How to Serve Quick & Easy Homemade Butter Chicken Recipe

Garnishes

I usually top mine with freshly chopped parsley because it adds a nice green contrast and fresh flavor, but cilantro works beautifully too if you prefer that herbaceous punch. A sprinkle of extra garam masala or a drizzle of cream on top makes it look restaurant-worthy and tastes divine!

Side Dishes

My go-to sides are fluffy basmati rice and warm, soft naan bread—it’s perfect for soaking up all that luscious sauce. Sometimes I add a simple cucumber raita or a crisp salad to lighten up the meal and add some texture contrast.

Creative Ways to Present

For special occasions, I love serving this butter chicken in small ramekins with a side of colorful grilled vegetables arranged artfully. Another fun idea is to serve it in mini naan pizzas for a twist, topped with fresh herbs and a squeeze of lemon for brightness.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftover butter chicken in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. The flavors actually deepen overnight, so it tastes even better the next day. Just make sure to cool it slightly before refrigerating to keep that creamy texture.

Freezing

I often freeze portions in freezer-safe containers—perfect for quick meals later on. When freezing, I skip the fresh parsley garnish and add it fresh after reheating. It freezes and thaws well without losing that buttery creaminess.

Reheating

To reheat, I gently warm the butter chicken on low heat in a saucepan, stirring occasionally and adding a splash of water or cream if it thickens too much. Microwave works too but keep it low power and stir halfway through to avoid overheating or curdling the sauce.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

This Quick & Easy Homemade Butter Chicken Recipe holds a special place in my cooking rotation because it’s reliable, comforting, and always a crowd-pleaser. Sharing it feels like inviting you into my kitchen to enjoy one of my favorite weeknight meals, made from scratch with simple ingredients. Trust me, once you make this, you’ll want to keep it in your recipe arsenal for any night you crave that rich, creamy, and flavorful Indian-inspired comfort food.

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