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Butter Chicken (Easy Creamy & Flavor-Packed Recipe)

A rich, creamy, restaurant-style butter chicken made easy with simple ingredients, tender chicken, aromatic spices, and a velvety tomato-cream sauce.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: Indian
Calories: 430
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Chicken Marinade
  • 1 lb chicken breast or thighs cut into bite-size pieces
  • 2 tbsp yogurt
  • 1 tsp garam masala
  • 0.5 tsp turmeric
  • 0.5 tsp cumin
  • 0.5 tsp paprika
  • 0.5 tsp salt
Butter Chicken Sauce
  • 3 tbsp butter
  • 1 tbsp olive oil optional
  • 1 onion finely diced
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 tbsp ginger grated
  • 1 cup tomato sauce or crushed tomatoes
  • 1 tsp garam masala
  • 1 tsp paprika
  • 0.5 tsp chili powder
  • 0.5 tsp cumin
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 0.5 tsp salt to taste
  • 1 tsp sugar optional
  • fresh cilantro for garnish

Equipment

  • Large skillet
  • Mixing bowls
  • Knife
  • Cutting board

Method
 

  1. Combine chicken with yogurt, garam masala, turmeric, cumin, paprika, and salt. Let marinate 10–20 minutes.
  2. Heat oil or butter in a skillet and sear chicken until lightly browned. Remove and set aside.
  3. Melt butter in the same pan. Add onion and cook until softened.
  4. Stir in garlic and ginger, cooking until fragrant.
  5. Add garam masala, paprika, chili powder, and cumin. Stir for 30 seconds to toast spices.
  6. Pour in tomato sauce and simmer 8–10 minutes.
  7. Reduce heat and stir in heavy cream until smooth.
  8. Add browned chicken back to the pan and simmer 5–10 minutes.
  9. Taste and adjust salt or sugar, then garnish with cilantro and serve.

Notes

For deeper flavor, marinate chicken longer or add a touch more butter at the end.