Description
Indulge in the irresistible flavors of Butter Chicken (Better Than Takeout), a delightful dish that brings the authentic taste of Indian cuisine straight to your home. This quick and creamy recipe takes only 25 minutes to prepare, making it perfect for busy weeknights or special occasions. With tender chicken enveloped in a rich, aromatic sauce, it pairs beautifully with fluffy basmati rice or warm naan.
Ingredients
Scale
- 500 g boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts, cut into bite-size pieces
- 2 tablespoons plain yogurt
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon ground coriander
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon turmeric
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 tablespoon oil
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon grated fresh ginger
- 1½ teaspoons garam masala
- ½ teaspoon chili powder (optional for heat)
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- ¾ cup tomato purée or crushed tomatoes
- ¾ cup heavy cream (or use Greek yogurt or coconut milk for a lighter version)
- 1 teaspoon sugar (optional)
- Fresh cilantro for garnish
Instructions
- In a bowl, mix together the chicken with yogurt, lemon juice, cumin, coriander, paprika, turmeric, and salt. Allow it to sit for 10–15 minutes.
- Heat 1 tablespoon of butter and 1 tablespoon of oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add the marinated chicken. Cook until browned and just cooked through (about 5–7 minutes). Remove from skillet and set aside.
- In the same skillet, add the remaining 1 tablespoon of butter. Sauté onions until soft (about 3–4 minutes). Add garlic, ginger, garam masala, and chili powder; stir for about 30 seconds.
- Stir in tomato paste and purée. Simmer for about 3–4 minutes until thickened and darkened in color.
- Pour in your choice of cream, add sugar if desired. Return the chicken to the skillet. Simmer for an additional 5–7 minutes until the sauce is creamy and chicken is tender.
- Garnish with fresh cilantro and enjoy hot with basmati rice or naan.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Main
- Method: Skillet
- Cuisine: Indian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 of recipe (approximately 210g)
- Calories: 360
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 670mg
- Fat: 17g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 19g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 95mg