Easy Indian Butter Chicken Recipe – Restaurant-Style at Home
If you’ve ever craved the rich, creamy, and absolutely irresistible flavors of restaurant-style Indian butter chicken but thought it was too complicated to make at home, think again. This easy Indian butter chicken recipe brings all those incredible flavors right to your kitchen with simple ingredients and straightforward steps. Whether you’re a seasoned home cook or just beginning your culinary journey into Indian cuisine, this homemade butter chicken recipe will quickly become a family favorite that you’ll make again and again.
Butter chicken, also known as murgh makhani, is one of the most beloved Indian dishes worldwide. Its velvety smooth tomato-cream sauce, tender chunks of perfectly spiced chicken, and aromatic blend of Indian spices create a symphony of flavors that’s simply unforgettable. What makes this recipe special is how it captures that authentic restaurant quality while remaining accessible for home cooks. You don’t need a tandoor oven or hard-to-find specialty ingredients – just your regular kitchen equipment and a passion for delicious food.
The beauty of this butter chicken recipe lies in its perfect balance of flavors. The tangy tomatoes complement the rich cream, while warming spices like garam masala and cumin add depth without overwhelming heat. The result is a dish that’s complex enough to impress dinner guests but comforting enough for a cozy weeknight meal with the family.
Why This Butter Chicken Recipe Works Every Time
What sets this homemade butter chicken apart from other recipes is its foolproof method that delivers consistent results. The chicken is marinated briefly in yogurt and spices, which not only adds flavor but also ensures the meat stays incredibly tender and juicy during cooking. Unlike many recipes that require hours of marination, this version works beautifully with just 30 minutes, making it perfect for those nights when you need dinner on the table quickly.
The sauce is where the magic really happens. By building layers of flavor through proper technique – blooming the spices in butter, caramelizing the onions until golden, and simmering the tomatoes until they break down completely – you create a sauce that tastes like it’s been cooking for hours. The addition of heavy cream at the end gives it that signature silky texture and rich taste that makes butter chicken so addictive.
Another reason this recipe works so well is its flexibility. You can adjust the spice level to suit your preference, make it dairy-free with coconut cream, or even prepare it in advance since it actually tastes even better the next day as the flavors continue to meld together. This adaptability makes it perfect for meal prep, entertaining, or those nights when you just want something special without too much fuss.
The Secret to Tender, Flavorful Chicken Every Time
The key to achieving that perfectly tender chicken that practically melts in your mouth starts with the marinade. While some recipes skip this step, marinating the chicken in yogurt mixed with a touch of lemon juice, garlic, ginger, and spices works wonders. The yogurt contains natural enzymes that gently break down the proteins in the chicken, resulting in incredibly tender meat that absorbs all those wonderful flavors.
When cooking the chicken, many home cooks make the mistake of overcrowding the pan, which causes the chicken to steam rather than develop that beautiful golden-brown exterior. By cooking the chicken in batches and ensuring each piece has enough space, you’ll achieve that slight char and caramelization that adds an extra dimension of flavor to the finished dish. This step might seem small, but it makes a significant difference in the final taste and texture.
The timing is equally important – you want to cook the chicken just until it’s done, then remove it from the pan while you prepare the sauce. The chicken will finish cooking when you add it back to the sauce, ensuring it doesn’t become dry or overcooked. This technique is what professional chefs use, and it’s surprisingly easy to master at home.
Ingredients
For the Chicken Marinade:
- 1.5 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1/2 cup plain yogurt
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 2 teaspoons garam masala
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon turmeric powder
- 1 teaspoon red chili powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
For the Butter Chicken Sauce:
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 large onion, finely diced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated
- 2 teaspoons garam masala
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon ground coriander
- 1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder
- 1/2 teaspoon red chili powder
- 1 can (14 ounces) crushed tomatoes
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- Salt to taste
- Fresh cilantro for garnish
For Serving:
- Cooked basmati rice
- Warm naan bread
Instructions
- Combine yogurt, lemon juice, garam masala, cumin, turmeric, chili powder, and salt in a large bowl. Add chicken pieces and mix until evenly coated. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes or up to 4 hours.
- Heat a large skillet or heavy-bottomed pan over medium-high heat. Add marinated chicken pieces in a single layer, working in batches if necessary. Cook for 3-4 minutes per side until golden brown and just cooked through. Remove chicken and set aside.
- In the same pan, reduce heat to medium and melt butter. Add diced onions and cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until softened and lightly golden.
- Add minced garlic and grated ginger to the pan. Cook for 1-2 minutes until fragrant, stirring constantly to prevent burning.
- Stir in garam masala, cumin, coriander, turmeric, and chili powder. Cook for 30 seconds until spices become aromatic and slightly darkened.
- Add crushed tomatoes and tomato paste to the pan. Stir well to combine with the spice mixture. Bring to a simmer and cook for 10-12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until sauce thickens slightly.
- Reduce heat to low and stir in heavy cream and sugar. Mix thoroughly until sauce becomes smooth and creamy with a beautiful orange color.
- Return cooked chicken pieces to the pan along with any accumulated juices. Stir gently to coat chicken completely with sauce. Simmer for 5-7 minutes until chicken is heated through and sauce reaches desired consistency.
- Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt if needed. Garnish generously with fresh chopped cilantro.
- Serve hot over fluffy basmati rice with warm naan bread on the side for scooping up that delicious sauce.
Indian Butter Chicken
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Combine yogurt, lemon juice, garam masala, cumin, turmeric, chili powder, and salt in a large bowl. Add chicken pieces and mix until evenly coated. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes or up to 4 hours.
- Heat a large skillet or heavy-bottomed pan over medium-high heat. Add marinated chicken pieces in a single layer, working in batches if necessary. Cook for 3-4 minutes per side until golden brown and just cooked through. Remove chicken and set aside.
- In the same pan, reduce heat to medium and melt butter. Add diced onions and cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until softened and lightly golden.
- Add minced garlic and grated ginger to the pan. Cook for 1-2 minutes until fragrant, stirring constantly to prevent burning.
- Stir in garam masala, cumin, coriander, turmeric, and chili powder. Cook for 30 seconds until spices become aromatic and slightly darkened.
- Add crushed tomatoes and tomato paste to the pan. Stir well to combine with the spice mixture. Bring to a simmer and cook for 10-12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until sauce thickens slightly.
- Reduce heat to low and stir in heavy cream and sugar. Mix thoroughly until sauce becomes smooth and creamy with a beautiful orange color.
- Return cooked chicken pieces to the pan along with any accumulated juices. Stir gently to coat chicken completely with sauce. Simmer for 5-7 minutes until chicken is heated through and sauce reaches desired consistency.
- Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt if needed. Garnish generously with fresh chopped cilantro.
- Serve hot over fluffy basmati rice with warm naan bread on the side.
Notes
Mastering the Perfect Butter Chicken Sauce Consistency
Getting the sauce consistency just right is crucial for authentic butter chicken. The sauce should be thick enough to coat the chicken pieces generously but still flow smoothly when you tilt the pan. If your sauce seems too thick, you can thin it out by adding a splash of chicken broth or water, stirring it in gradually until you reach the perfect consistency. Conversely, if the sauce is too thin, simply continue simmering it uncovered for a few extra minutes to allow some liquid to evaporate.
The cream is what gives butter chicken its signature richness and velvety texture, but it’s important to add it at the right time. Adding cream too early or at too high a temperature can cause it to curdle, resulting in an unappetizing appearance. By reducing the heat to low and stirring constantly while adding the cream, you’ll achieve that smooth, luxurious sauce that’s the hallmark of great butter chicken.
One professional tip that makes a huge difference is to blend the sauce after cooking the tomatoes but before adding the cream. While this step is optional, it creates an incredibly smooth, restaurant-quality sauce that coats the chicken beautifully. You can use an immersion blender directly in the pan or carefully transfer the sauce to a regular blender, blend until smooth, then return it to the pan before adding the cream and chicken.
Serving Suggestions and Perfect Pairings
While butter chicken is absolutely delicious on its own, serving it with the right accompaniments elevates it to a complete meal experience. Fluffy basmati rice is the traditional choice, and for good reason – its subtle fragrance and light texture provide the perfect canvas for soaking up all that amazing sauce. Cook your basmati rice with a pinch of salt and a teaspoon of butter for extra flavor that complements the rich curry.
Naan bread is another essential accompaniment that turns dinner into a truly interactive experience. There’s something deeply satisfying about tearing off a piece of warm, pillowy naan and using it to scoop up chicken and sauce. If you don’t have time to make homemade naan, store-bought versions work perfectly well – just warm them in the oven or on a skillet before serving.
For a complete Indian feast, consider adding some simple side dishes. A fresh cucumber raita made with yogurt, diced cucumbers, and a pinch of cumin provides a cooling contrast to the rich butter chicken. A simple salad of sliced onions, tomatoes, and cucumbers dressed with lemon juice adds freshness and crunch. If you want to go all out, add some vegetable samosas or pakoras as appetizers, and finish with mango kulfi or gulab jamun for dessert.
Storage Tips and Make-Ahead Instructions
One of the best things about butter chicken is that it’s an excellent make-ahead dish that actually improves with time. The flavors continue to develop and meld together as it sits, making day-old butter chicken even more delicious than when freshly made. Store leftover butter chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. When reheating, do so gently over low heat, stirring occasionally and adding a splash of cream or water if the sauce has thickened too much.
For longer storage, butter chicken freezes beautifully for up to 3 months. Allow the curry to cool completely before transferring it to freezer-safe containers, leaving about an inch of space at the top for expansion. When you’re ready to enjoy it, thaw it overnight in the refrigerator, then reheat gently on the stovetop. You might need to stir in a bit of cream to restore the sauce’s silky texture after freezing.
If you want to meal prep, you can marinate the chicken and prepare the sauce base up to a day in advance, keeping them separate in the refrigerator. When you’re ready to eat, simply cook the chicken, reheat the sauce, combine them, and finish with fresh cream. This method gives you most of the convenience of leftovers while ensuring the chicken stays perfectly tender.
Bringing Restaurant Quality to Your Home Kitchen
Creating restaurant-quality butter chicken at home is absolutely achievable with this recipe, and the sense of accomplishment you’ll feel when you taste that first bite is incredible. By following these steps and paying attention to the little details – from properly marinating the chicken to building layers of flavor in the sauce – you’ll produce a dish that rivals anything you’d order at your favorite Indian restaurant.
The key is not to rush the process. While this recipe is relatively quick compared to many Indian dishes, taking the time to properly caramelize the onions, bloom the spices, and simmer the sauce makes all the difference in the depth of flavor. Each step builds upon the previous one, creating a complex, aromatic curry that tastes like it took hours to prepare.
Remember, cooking is as much about the journey as the destination. Don’t be discouraged if your first attempt isn’t perfect – even professional chefs refine their techniques over time. With each time you make this butter chicken recipe, you’ll develop a better feel for the consistency of the sauce, the doneness of the chicken, and how to adjust the spices to your personal taste preferences.
Final Thoughts on This Beloved Indian Classic
Butter chicken holds a special place in the hearts of food lovers around the world, and for good reason. It’s comfort food at its finest – rich, creamy, satisfying, and packed with layers of flavor that keep you coming back for more. Whether you’re cooking it for a special occasion, meal prepping for the week ahead, or just treating yourself to something delicious on a Tuesday night, this recipe delivers every single time.
What makes this dish truly special is how it brings people together. There’s something about sharing a pot of aromatic, flavorful butter chicken that creates moments of connection and joy around the dinner table. It’s the kind of meal that turns a regular weeknight into something memorable, that impresses guests without stressing out the cook, and that becomes a requested favorite in your household repertoire.
So gather your ingredients, fire up your stove, and get ready to fill your kitchen with the incredible aromas of Indian spices, butter, and cream. Your taste buds are in for an unforgettable treat, and you might just discover that making restaurant-quality Indian food at home is easier than you ever imagined. Happy cooking, and enjoy every delicious bite of your homemade butter chicken!
