Indian Butter Chicken

Get ready for the best Indian butter chicken recipe! It’s easy, tasty, and gets ready in just 30 minutes! Let me tell you this is the creamiest butter chicken recipe you ever had. One bite and you’ll be saying “Wow!”.

Butter Chicken in the pan with serving plate and nan in the background. - 1

(This recipe is updated with a simplified version. Originally, the marinated chicken was threaded on wooden skewers and cooked in the pan until charred. Then the cooked chicken was smoked with red hot charcoal for a smoky barbecue taste before adding to the gravy. In marination, 1 tablespoon of store-bought tikka masala was used instead of red chili. The rest is the same.)

Butter chicken is an Anglo-Indian curry in which spicy tandoori chicken is wrapped in a creamy tomato sauce that is seasoned with Indian curry spices and finished with fenugreek leaves. It is best served with naan or rice .

Origin
Why does this recipe work?
What goes into this recipe?
How to make this recipe?
How to serve?
Expert Tips
FAQS
📖 Recipe
💬 Comments

Origin

Can you guess how this delicious curry originated? Of course, it’s not traditional Indian food. Well, let me tell you a story. A famous restaurant in Dehli, India called Moti Mehal was run by Kundan Lal Gujral in the 1950s.

To utilize leftover grilled tandoori chicken, he used them cleverly in a tomatoey and buttery gravy to create what we call today, butter chicken or Chicken Makhani.

While many love chicken tikka masala, another popular Indian dish, it’s distinct from butter chicken. Tikka masala is spicier with a smoky flavor, while Indian butter chicken leans towards creamy, buttery gravy.

Also if you want a diverse curry experience! Try chicken korma for a milder, almond-rich twist, achari chicken for a tangy, pickle-infused kick, or karahi gosht , a robustly flavored meat dish. You will simply love these.

Why does this recipe work?

I understand the desire for quick and easy meals in the kitchen with fewer steps! Marinating chicken breast ahead can be great but you can skip that if using boneless chicken thigh.

You’ll grill the marinated chicken in a skillet then make the tomato sauce in the same pan. The sauce itself is super easy– just mix tomato puree with cream and a few spices.

I have added cashews to add a touch of richness and creamy texture, and boom, you’re done!

butter chicken served in a plate with naan. - 2

This butter chicken at home will allow you to enjoy restaurant-quality food without the need for takeaway.

What goes into this recipe?

You’ll see a lot of ingredients listed in the recipe card for butter chicken, but don’t be overwhelmed, most spices are repeated in gravy! If you’re familiar with Indian cuisine, you know, that spices are the key!

Display of ingredients to make the butter chicken. - 3

Check the details for the ingredients below.

Boneless Chicken: I’ve used skinless boneless chicken. Boneless chicken thighs would also be fantastic.
Yogurt: This is regular full-fat yogurt. Substitute with 1 tablespoon lemon juice for a non-dairy version.
Heavy cream: Cream adds a luxurious, velvety texture and a decadent richness that complements the tangy tomato base and savory spices. It helps build a smooth and creamy sauce that coats the chicken beautifully. You can substitute with coconut cream for a non-dairy version.
Cashews: I like to add cashews as they add richness and creaminess to the gravy. If skipping nuts, use extra cream. If you could soak cashews ahead and make paste it will be even better.
Ground spices: This requires simple Indian spices like ground cumin, coriander, turmeric, garam masala, red chili powder, and salt.
Ginger & garlic: I prefer freshly minced, the paste is fine too.
Tomato puree: Just blend fresh tomatoes until you have a smooth puree.
Kashmiri chili: This ingredient primarily enhances the vibrant color of the dish and is spicier than cayenne. You can substitute it with paprika powder.
Dried fenugreek: The dried fenugreek leaves (kasuri methi) add a unique aroma that is characteristic of butter chicken. You can omit it.
Oil : I used vegetable oil to fry chicken, you can use butter as well.
Butter/ghee: For making gravy my go-to is butter, you can swap it with ghee AKA clarified butter. Do not swap with oil as buttery is all that butter chicken is about.

How to make this recipe?

I’ve updated this recipe with a simpler option: pan-grilled chicken! Remember my old version of this with the grilling on skewers? You’ll find this new method even easier and less fussy.

Follow the steps below and enjoy the deliciousness of Indian butter chicken right at home!

Steps to make butter chicken at home. - 4

Take all the ingredients to marinate the chicken in a bowl.
Mix well and marinate chicken for at least 30 minutes or overnight. ( Tip : Skip marination if using chicken thigh pieces.)
Heat oil in a pan. Add chicken and cook for 7-10 minutes on medium high heat until the water dries and the chicken looks slightly charred. Stay around and stir frequently. Remove the cooked tandoori chicken from the pan to a plate. ( Protip : You can smoke this chicken with charcoal. )
To make the butter chicken sauce, heat butter in the same pan. Add cashew powder, ground spices, ginger, and garlic. Mix well for 1 to 2 minutes until it sizzles.

Steps to make the gravy for butter chicken. - 5

Immediately, add the tomato puree to the pan and stir well.
Continue cooking the gravy for 2-3 minutes until you notice oil separating on the sides of the pan.
Lastly add the remaining ingredients that are heavy cream, sugar, and dried fenugreek. Mix it well.
Adjusting the consistency by adding ½ to 1 cup water. Cover the pot and simmer the gravy on low heat for 5 minutes.
Serve with rice or naan. Drizzle some cream over, and finish with a little cilantro garnish. Enjoy!

Butter chicken with a rthin consistency.

How to serve?

Bread : Butter chicken is best served with butter naan. Any bread can pair well that help you scoop this delicious gravy like crispy pita bread , roti, and dinner rolls.
Rice : Hot basmati rice makes a great pair too.
You can thicken the gravy and add it to the sandwich.
More options: Use it as a puff pastry filling or spread it over pizza. Unlike other Indian Chicken, this curry allows so many creative options.

Expert Tips

Marinating chicken allows extra time for the chicken to absorb flavors and be super tender and moist to bite. Don’t skip this step if possible.
Smoke the chicken with red hot charcoal and a drizzle of oil for a smoky taste.
If you make it frequently, bulk marinate the chicken, divide it into portions, and freeze it ahead.
You can also use your leftover chicken tikka or chicken boti to make this dish.
The consistency of butter chicken is usually like a creamy gravy.

No worries! Simply add a splash of water or milk, depending on your desired consistency. Remember, it’s always easier to add more liquid than to reduce it later.

Absolutely! Swap the protein for paneer cubes or cauliflower florets and adjust the marinating spices to your preference. You’ll be surprised at how delicious the vegetarian version can be!

Yes, but the sauce will be thinner and less rich.

Cashew thicken the gravy and add to creaminess. It will still taste good.

Hungry for curry? Try these!

Kofta Curry Recipe
Indian Ginger Chicken Curry
Chicken Kofta Curry
Achari chicken

📖 Recipe

Ingredients

Marinate chicken

▢ 450 grams skinless boneless chicken , cut in 1 inch cubes, preferably chicken thigh meat
▢ ¼ cup yogurt
▢ 2 tablespoon lemon juice
▢ 1 tablespoon Kashmiri chili
▢ ½ tablespoon ginger paste
▢ ½ tablespoon garlic paste
▢ 1 teaspoon green chili paste
▢ 1 teaspoon cumin powder
▢ 1 teaspoon coriander powder
▢ ½ teaspoon garam masala Powder
▢ ½ teaspoon red chilli flakes
▢ ½ teaspoon salt

Other

▢ ¼ cup oil , or butter

For Gravy

▢ 2 tablespoon butter , or ghee
▢ ¼ cup cashew nuts , grounded
▢ 1 tablespoon Kashmiri chilli powder
▢ ½ tablespoon ginger paste
▢ ½ tablespoon garlic paste
▢ 1 teaspoon red chilli flakes , skip for less spicy
▢ ½ teaspoon cumin powder
▢ ½ teaspoon turmeric powder
▢ ½ teaspoon salt

Other

▢ 3 medium (250g) tomato , blended into smooth puree
▢ ½ cup cream
▢ ½ teaspoon sugar
▢ 1 tablespoon fenugreek leaves , (kasuri meethi)
▢ ½-1 cup water , adjust consistency to your preference

Instructions

For Chicken

Take all the ingredients to marinate the chicken in a bowl. Mix well and marinate chicken for at least 30 minutes or overnight. ( Tip : Skip marination if using chicken thigh pieces.)
Heat oil in a skillet. Add chicken and cook for 7-10 minutes on high heat until the water dries and the chicken looks slightly charred. Stay around and stir frequently.
Remove the cooked chicken from the pan to a plate. Set aside. ( Protip : You can smoke this chicken with red hot charcoal.)

For Butter Chicken Sauce

To make the sauce, heat butter in the same pan. Add cashew powder, ground spices, ginger, and garlic. Mix well for 1 to 2 minutes until it sizzles.
Immediately, add the tomato puree to the skillet and stir well. Co the gravy for 2-3 minutes until oil separates on the sides.
Now, add cream, sugar, and dried fenugreek. Mix it well.
Adjusting the consistency by adding ½ to 1 cup water. Cover the pot and simmer the gravy on low heat for 5 minutes.
Drizzle some cream over to garnish, enjoy!

Notes

Yogurt: Substitute with 1 tablespoon lemon juice for non dairy version.
Cream: You can substitute with coconut cream for non-dairy version.
Cashews: If skipping nuts, use extra cream. If you could soak cashews ahead and make paste it will be even better.
Ginger & garlic: I prefer freshly minced, the paste is fine too.
Kashmiri chili: This ingredient primarily enhances the vibrant color of the dish and is spicier than cayenne. You can substitute it with paprika powder.
Dried fenugreek: The dried fenugreek leaves (kasuri methi) add a unique aroma that is characteristic of butter chicken . You can omit it.
Marinating chicken allows extra time for the chicken to absorb flavors and be super tender and moist to bite. Don’t skip this step if possible.
The consistency of butter chicken is usually like a creamy gravy.

Nutrition Information