I’ll be honest with you, the first time I made this Indian butter chicken recipe, I almost licked the pan clean. The sauce, silky and rich, clings to tender chicken like they’ve been best friends for years. I’m telling you, if comfort had a flavor, this would be it. What makes this Indian butter chicken recipe easy isn’t some culinary magic trick. It’s the way the spices come together without asking you to buy half the store. Tomatoes, cream, a hit of butter, and just enough garam masala to remind you that flavor doesn’t have to shout to be heard. I call this dish the king of chicken meal recipes because it does everything at once. It warms you up, it makes the kitchen smell incredible, and it even wins over that one friend who always claims they don’t like curry. If you’ve been hunting for chicken recipes Indian style or a buttery chicken butter recipe that doesn’t make you stress, this is your dish. Serve it with rice or naan and you’ll wonder why you didn’t make it sooner.

1) Key Takeaways
2) Easy Indian Butter Chicken Recipe
3) Ingredients for Indian Butter Chicken
4) How to Make Indian Butter Chicken
5) Tips for Making Indian Butter Chicken
6) Making Indian Butter Chicken Ahead of Time
7) Storing Leftover Indian Butter Chicken
8) Try these Main Course next!
9) Indian Butter Chicken
10) Nutrition

1) Key Takeaways

This Indian butter chicken recipe brings together tender chicken and a creamy sauce that makes every bite worth it.
It is an easy recipe that works for busy nights yet feels like a restaurant-style dish.
The balance of spices means the dish tastes rich without overwhelming your senses.
Pair it with rice or naan for a meal that satisfies both comfort and flavor cravings.

2) Easy Indian Butter Chicken Recipe

I’ve made a lot of chicken recipes, but this one has a special place in my kitchen. The sauce clings to the chicken like it never wants to let go, and that’s exactly the way I like it. When I’m tired after a long day, I don’t want complicated. I want something that tastes like comfort and doesn’t make me wash every dish I own.

This Indian butter chicken recipe easy approach doesn’t need exotic tools or hours of prep. It asks you for simple steps, common spices, and patience for just enough simmering time. The reward is a dish that smells like it’s been cooking all day even though it hasn’t.

What I love most is the flexibility. Serve it with basmati rice for a classic pairing, or scoop it up with naan when you’re craving a hands-on meal. Either way, it proves that butter chicken recipe Indian easy methods can still deliver big flavors.

3) Ingredients for Indian Butter Chicken

Chicken Thighs: I like thighs because they stay juicy, even if I get distracted and forget the pan for a minute. Cut them into bite-sized pieces so every forkful carries both meat and sauce.

Butter: This dish has the word butter in its name for a reason. It makes the sauce silky and rich, balancing the spices with a mellow depth.

Onion: Finely chopped, it melts into the sauce. I often tear up while chopping, but those tears are worth it for the flavor foundation it creates.

Garlic and Ginger: Fresh and sharp, they wake up the sauce. Don’t skimp here. That aroma as they hit the pan is half the joy of cooking.

Tomato Puree: It builds the body of the sauce, giving it tang and color. Combined with cream, it turns into the signature orange-red butter chicken base.

Heavy Cream and Yogurt: These two soften the spices and bring the sauce to life. Cream smooths it out, yogurt adds a little tang, and together they make the sauce comforting.

Spices: Garam masala, cumin, coriander, turmeric, chili powder. Each plays a part without one stealing the spotlight. That’s the harmony that makes chicken recipes like this one so satisfying.

Cilantro: A sprinkle on top brightens the dish. It’s optional, but I find it ties the dish together with freshness.

4) How to Make Indian Butter Chicken

Step 1. Melt the butter with a touch of oil in a skillet. Once it starts to foam, toss in the onions and cook until golden. You’ll know they’re ready when the kitchen smells sweet.

Step 2. Add garlic and ginger, stirring just until fragrant. This is the moment when your kitchen smells like a cozy restaurant you never want to leave.

Step 3. Sprinkle in your spices. Toast them lightly to release their oils. That aroma? It means you’re on the right track.

Step 4. Stir in the chicken. Let it brown on the outside while staying tender inside. Don’t rush, a bit of patience builds flavor here.

Step 5. Pour in tomato puree, bring it to a gentle simmer, and let the flavors get to know each other. Stir now and then, but resist fussing too much.

Step 6. Lower the heat, stir in cream and yogurt, and let the sauce thicken. The chicken finishes cooking in this luxurious bath.

Step 7. Taste, season with salt, and finish with cilantro. Serve with warm naan or rice and watch the dish disappear faster than you expect.

5) Tips for Making Indian Butter Chicken

I’ve learned a few things after cooking chicken recipes like this more times than I can count. For starters, marinate the chicken if you have time. Even thirty minutes in yogurt and spices changes the texture and depth of flavor.

Don’t skimp on the butter. It may sound indulgent, but the butter is what gives this dish its smooth richness. If you cut it down too much, the sauce won’t feel the same.

Spices matter, but don’t panic if you’re missing one. The dish is forgiving. Use what you have, and trust that the final result will still taste delicious.

6) Making Indian Butter Chicken Ahead of Time

This recipe actually gets better if you let it sit. The chicken soaks up the sauce, the spices mellow, and the cream binds everything together. I’ve often made a pot at night, stored it, and found it even tastier the next day.

If you’re cooking for guests, make it the day before. Reheat gently on the stove, stirring slowly. The sauce will thicken, so add a splash of cream or stock to loosen it if needed.

Butter chicken recipe Indian easy methods like this give you flexibility. It means less stress when you want to impress without scrambling in the kitchen at the last minute.

7) Storing Leftover Indian Butter Chicken

Leftovers keep well in the fridge for three to four days. Store them in an airtight container. The flavors deepen as it rests, so don’t be surprised if you like it more the second day.

Reheat on the stove over low heat. Add a spoonful of cream if the sauce feels too thick. Microwaving works too, though I find it can dry the chicken slightly.

If you’ve made extra, you can freeze portions for up to three months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating. That way, you always have chicken butter recipe comfort waiting in your freezer.

8) Try these Main Course next!

9) Indian Butter Chicken