Name: Easy & Delicious Butter Chicken Recipe
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 25 min
Cuisine: Indian
Ingredients: 3-4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces; 2 tablespoons vegetable oil; 2 tablespoons butter; 1 teaspoon Garam Masala; 1 teaspoon Smoked Paprika; 1 teaspoon Turmeric; 1 teaspoon Ground Cumin; 1/2 teaspoon Chili Powder (optional); 1 cup tomato sauce or passata; 1/2 cup heavy cream

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If you’re longing for your favorite Indian restaurant’s flavors without the takeout bill or time commitment, Easy & Delicious Butter Chicken is the answer. This recipe transforms humble chicken breasts into a creamy, spice-laden masterpiece in just 25 minutes. With bright, aromatic spices, juicy chicken, and a luscious tomato cream sauce, every bite will make you wonder why you ever ordered out in the first place. Gather your ingredients and get ready; you’re about to make comfort food magic happen in your own kitchen.

Easy & Delicious Butter Chicken Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

The magic of Easy & Delicious Butter Chicken comes from its carefully chosen—but easy to find—ingredients. Each component layers on flavor or brings the signature creamy texture and vibrant color that makes this dish such a standout. Here’s what you need, with a tip for each ingredient:

Chicken Breasts: Cut into bite-sized pieces for quick cooking and tender results; thighs work too if you prefer richer meat.
Vegetable Oil & Butter: A touch of oil prevents the butter from burning and gives the sauce a luscious, silky finish.
The Spice Blend: Garam masala, smoked paprika, turmeric, ground cumin, and chili powder make up the heart of the flavor, delivering warmth and color—don’t skip the blooming step for best results.
Tomato Sauce or Passata: Both work well, providing a tangy backbone and beautiful red hue to the sauce.
Heavy Cream: Brings the luxurious, silky texture and rich flavor that defines Easy & Delicious Butter Chicken.
Fresh Garlic & Ginger: Minced and grated, they infuse the dish with classic, unmistakable fragrance.
Salt: Just enough to balance and enhance all the other flavors—season as you go!
Fresh Cilantro: Optional, but highly recommended for a bright sprinkle of freshness on top.

How to Make Easy & Delicious Butter Chicken

Step 1: Sear the Chicken

Start by heating the vegetable oil in a large, deep frying pan or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add a tablespoon of butter and let it melt and foam—it should sizzle invitingly! Add your diced chicken in a single layer, taking care not to crowd the pan for best browning. This first step sets the stage for flavor-packed bites throughout the dish.

Step 2: Sauté the Aromatics

Lower the heat to medium and add the remaining tablespoon of butter to an empty side of the pan. Drop in the minced garlic and grated ginger, stirring constantly. These two create an intoxicating aroma—keep stirring for about a minute to avoid burning, because golden, fragrant aromatics are what give Easy & Delicious Butter Chicken its signature base.

Step 3: Bloom the Spices

Now’s the moment to introduce your spice blend: sprinkle the garam masala, smoked paprika, turmeric, cumin, chili powder, and salt right onto the aromatics and chicken. Stir everything together well. Cooking the spices in the hot fat toasts them and unleashes those deep, complex flavors and the beautiful color you recognize from restaurant-style butter chicken. Let the spices “bloom” for a minute, breathing in that irresistible fragrance.

Step 4: Build the Sauce

Pour in the tomato sauce or passata, scraping up any golden, caramelized bits from the bottom of the pan (those are a flavor jackpot!). Stir to coat all the chicken in the tomato sauce. When it starts to bubble gently, drop the heat to low, cover the pan, and let it all simmer for about 10 minutes. This gives the chicken time to finish cooking and allows those bold flavors to fully develop together.

Step 5: Finish with Cream

Uncover the pan and turn the heat to low. Pour in the heavy cream and gently stir—watch as the sauce transforms into a dreamy orange hue. Simmer the sauce, uncovered, for another 2–3 minutes just until it’s thickened and luscious. Don’t let it boil—gentle is key when dairy is involved. Taste and adjust the salt if necessary. The texture should be rich and the flavor should be layered with warmth, spice, and buttery richness.

Step 6: Garnish & Serve

Take the pan off the heat and finish with a generous scattering of fresh cilantro if you like a burst of freshness to contrast the creamy sauce. Serve immediately over fluffy Basmati rice and alongside warm, pillowy naan—both perfect for soaking up every last bit of that Easy & Delicious Butter Chicken sauce.

How to Serve Easy & Delicious Butter Chicken

Garnishes

A handful of chopped fresh cilantro adds both color and brightness, balancing the rich sauce with something green and lively. For an extra flourish, a swirl of cream or a squeeze of fresh lemon can make each portion look (and taste) restaurant-worthy. Thinly sliced red onions or a scattering of toasted cashews can be delightful too, if you’re feeling fancy.

Side Dishes

Fluffy, fragrant Basmati rice is the perfect canvas to showcase Easy & Delicious Butter Chicken, soaking up all that creamy sauce. Don’t overlook warm naan or roti—tear it into pieces and savor every last drop of flavor. If you want a lighter complement, try a cucumber raita or a simple green salad tossed with lemon.

Creative Ways to Present

Serve your Easy & Delicious Butter Chicken in a big family-style bowl, letting guests spoon out their portions. For a fun twist, fill small bowls or cups for individual servings at a party, or pile the chicken into lettuce wraps for a low-carb take. For an elegant dinner, place each serving in shallow bowls and sprinkle with microgreens and a swirl of cream on top.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you’re lucky enough to have leftovers, transfer them to an airtight container once fully cooled. The sauce will thicken overnight in the fridge, but the flavors only get better! Keep leftovers for up to 3 days—a perfect make-ahead meal for busy weeknights.

Freezing

Easy & Delicious Butter Chicken holds up well to freezing, making it a freezer-stash superstar. Portion leftovers into freezer-safe containers and freeze for up to 2 months. Let the chicken and sauce cool completely before freezing to maintain the best texture and flavor.

Reheating

For best results, reheat gently on the stovetop over low heat, stirring occasionally (add a splash of water or cream if the sauce thickened a lot). Microwave reheating works too, just do so in short bursts and stir frequently to heat evenly. Avoid boiling the sauce after adding cream—gentle heat is the secret to that perfect silky finish.

FAQs

Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?

Absolutely! Chicken thighs are juicier and add even more flavor, so feel free to swap them in for an extra-rich Easy & Delicious Butter Chicken. Just trim excess fat before cutting into bite-sized pieces.

Is this recipe very spicy?

You control the spice level with the chili powder. The recipe is mildly spiced as written—add more chili powder for extra heat or use less if you’re serving spice-sensitive eaters. The cream also helps mellow the spice, keeping it kid-friendly.

Can I make Easy & Delicious Butter Chicken dairy-free?

Yes! Use coconut cream or a plain, unsweetened plant-based creamer in place of heavy cream, and substitute vegan butter or just more oil for the butter. The flavor will be a bit different, but still delicious and creamy.

What’s the difference between tomato sauce and passata?

Tomato sauce is usually seasoned and slightly thinner, while passata is pureed, strained tomatoes without seeds or skins. Both work beautifully for Easy & Delicious Butter Chicken—choose based on what you have or the texture you prefer.

Do I need a special pan for this recipe?

No special equipment required! A large deep frying pan or Dutch oven is perfect for stirring and simmering, but even a sturdy skillet will work in a pinch—just make sure it’s big enough to hold the chicken and plenty of sauce.

Final Thoughts

When you’re craving a cozy, crowd-pleasing meal that’s fast, budget-friendly, and sure to impress, make it Easy & Delicious Butter Chicken. It’s the kind of recipe you’ll turn to again and again—give it a try, and don’t be surprised when everyone asks for seconds!