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A plate of creamy homemade butter chicken garnished with fresh cilantro and served with steamed basmati rice, on a rustic wooden table.

Effortless Homemade Butter Chicken: Your Weeknight Flavor Escape

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Effortless Homemade Butter Chicken is a quick and flavorful dish perfect for busy weeknights. Loaded with tender chicken in a rich, creamy tomato sauce, this easy recipe delivers restaurant-quality flavor in under 30 minutes, making it an ideal comfort meal for the whole family.

  • Total Time: 30 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb (450g) boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts
  • 2 tablespoons butter or ghee
  • 1 large onion, finely chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon ginger, grated
  • 1 can (14 oz) tomato puree or crushed tomatoes
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream or coconut cream for dairy-free
  • 2 teaspoons garam masala
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 1 teaspoon turmeric
  • 1/2 teaspoon chili powder (adjust to taste)
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Fresh cilantro for garnish

Instructions

  1. Cut the chicken into bite-sized pieces and season with salt, pepper, and half of the paprika. In a large skillet, melt 1 tablespoon of butter over medium heat. Add the chicken and cook until browned and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. Remove and set aside.
  2. In the same skillet, add remaining butter. Sauté the chopped onion until translucent, about 3-4 minutes. Stir in garlic and ginger, cooking for another minute. Add tomato puree, garam masala, turmeric, chili powder, and remaining paprika. Let simmer for 10 minutes to develop flavors.
  3. Stir in heavy cream or coconut cream to achieve a creamy texture. Return cooked chicken to the skillet and simmer for an additional 5 minutes. Adjust salt and spices to taste. Garnish with fresh cilantro before serving.

Notes

  • For a dairy-free version, substitute heavy cream with coconut cream.
  • You can replace chicken with tofu, paneer, or shrimp for variation.
  • Serve with steamed basmati rice or naan bread for a complete meal.
  • Author: Emma Bloomfield
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Category: Main Course
  • Method: Stovetop
  • Cuisine: Indian-inspired
  • Diet: Contemporary, Dairy-Free Option

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 plate (about 1 cup)
  • Calories: 380 kcal Kcal
  • Sugar: 8g
  • Sodium: 520mg
  • Fat: 28g
  • Saturated Fat: 15g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 10g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 14g
  • Fiber: 3g
  • Protein: 30g
  • Cholesterol: 95mg