Quick & Easy Homemade Butter Chicken for Cozy Weeknight Meals
Quick & Easy Homemade Butter Chicken is a one-pot Indian classic made with tender chicken, rich tomato sauce, warm spices, and a swirl of cream. Full of flavor and ready in under an hour.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Ingredients
1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into chunks
2 tbsp unsalted butter, plus 1 tbsp for finishing
1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 tbsp fresh ginger, grated
1 tbsp garam masala
1 tsp ground cumin
1 tsp ground coriander
1 tsp paprika
1.5 cups crushed tomatoes
1 tsp sugar
Salt to taste
1/2 cup heavy cream
Fresh cilantro for garnish (optional)
Instructions
-
Melt 2 tbsp butter in a large skillet over medium heat.
-
Sauté onion until golden, about 5–7 minutes.
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Add garlic and ginger; cook 1–2 minutes.
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Stir in garam masala, cumin, coriander, and paprika; toast for 30 seconds.
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Add crushed tomatoes, sugar, and salt. Simmer 10 minutes.
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Add chicken; cover and simmer on low 15–20 minutes.
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Stir in cream and remaining butter. Simmer 5 minutes more.
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Adjust seasoning; garnish with cilantro and serve.
Notes
Use chicken breast if preferred. For dairy-free, use coconut milk and vegan butter.