Looking for a quick and comforting dinner that tastes like it came from your favorite Indian restaurant? This Easy Homemade Butter Chicken delivers tender, marinated chicken simmered in a rich, creamy tomato-based sauce loaded with spices and buttery goodness—all made in your kitchen with simple ingredients.
And guess what? You don’t need to be an expert in Indian cooking to pull this off. Just follow these steps, and trust me, you’ll impress yourself.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Here’s what goes into making the best butter chicken at home:
- 1½ lb (about 700g) boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into chunks
- 1 tsp each: salt, garlic powder, paprika
- ½ tsp curry powder
- 1 tbsp Greek yogurt (for marinade)
- 3 tbsp oil (divided)
- 3 tbsp butter (divided)
- 6 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 1 can (15 oz) tomato sauce
- 1 tsp sugar
- 2 cups heavy cream
- ½ tsp each: black pepper, garam masala, curry powder
- Pinch of cayenne (optional for heat)
- Fresh parsley or cilantro (optional for garnish)
Step-by-Step: How to Make Butter Chicken from Scratch
1. Marinate the Chicken
Toss chicken with salt, garlic powder, paprika, curry, and yogurt. Let it sit for at least 15 minutes—or up to 4 hours in the fridge if you’ve got time.
2. Sear It Off
In a large pan, heat 1½ tbsp oil and 1½ tbsp butter. Sear the marinated chicken until golden and cooked through. Set it aside on a plate.
3. Build the Flavor Base
In the same pan, add the remaining oil. Sauté onions until soft, then stir in the garlic. This is where the kitchen starts to smell amazing.
4. Make the Sauce
Pour in the tomato sauce and sugar. Let it simmer for 5–7 minutes so it thickens a bit and the flavor gets richer.
5. Add the Cream
Slowly stir in the heavy cream, then add back your cooked chicken. Toss to coat everything.
6. Spice It Up
Season with black pepper, curry powder, garam masala, and cayenne (if using). Simmer for 10 more minutes until the sauce thickens and clings to the chicken.
7. Butter Finish
Turn off the heat and stir in the remaining butter for that glossy, silky finish. Garnish with parsley or cilantro if you’re feeling fancy.
Pro Tips for Perfect Butter Chicken
- Marinate longer for deeper flavor—overnight works like magic.
- Chicken thighs stay juicy and flavorful, but chicken breast works too.
- Don’t skip the butter at the end. It’s what gives the sauce that iconic silky texture.
- Adjust the spice level to your liking. Love heat? Add more cayenne.
Smart Swaps and Variations
- Coconut cream can replace heavy cream for a dairy-free twist.
- Want a vegetarian version? Use tofu, chickpeas, or roasted cauliflower.
- Don’t have garam masala? A mix of cumin, coriander, and cinnamon will do in a pinch.
How to Store Leftovers
- Fridge: Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- Freezer: Freeze in portions for up to 2 months. Reheat gently with a splash of cream to bring it back to life.
Frequently Asked Questions
You can’t go wrong with warm naan bread, steamed basmati rice, or even a simple side salad.
Yep! Just be careful not to overcook—breast meat dries out faster.
Absolutely. In fact, it tastes even better the next day as the flavors settle in.
Related Recipes to Try Next
Looking for more comforting and easy meals? Check out these other ideas on our blog:
- Try this version too: Easy Homemade Butter Chicken
- Explore more simple dinner recipes for busy weeknights
- Love your air fryer? You’ll enjoy our air fryer recipe collection
- Need lunch ideas? Browse our healthy lunch recipes
Easy Homemade Butter Chicken
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Description
Looking for a quick and comforting dinner that tastes like it came from your favorite Indian restaurant? This Easy Homemade Butter Chicken delivers tender, marinated chicken simmered in a rich, creamy tomato-based sauce loaded with spices and buttery goodness—all made in your kitchen with simple ingredients.
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 lb boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into chunks
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1/2 tsp curry powder
- 1 tbsp Greek yogurt
- 3 tbsp oil (divided)
- 3 tbsp butter (divided)
- 6 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 1 can (15 oz) tomato sauce
- 1 tsp sugar
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 tsp garam masala
- 1/2 tsp curry powder
- Pinch of cayenne (optional)
- Fresh parsley or cilantro (optional for garnish)
Instructions
- Toss chicken with salt, garlic powder, paprika, curry powder, and yogurt. Let it marinate for at least 15 minutes or up to 4 hours in the fridge.
- Heat 1½ tbsp oil and 1½ tbsp butter in a large pan. Sear chicken until golden and cooked through. Set aside.
- In the same pan, add remaining oil. Sauté onions until soft, then stir in garlic.
- Add tomato sauce and sugar. Simmer for 5–7 minutes to thicken and deepen flavor.
- Slowly stir in heavy cream. Add cooked chicken back to the pan and coat well.
- Season with black pepper, curry powder, garam masala, and cayenne. Simmer for 10 minutes until sauce thickens.
- Turn off heat and stir in remaining butter for a silky finish. Garnish with parsley or cilantro if desired.
Notes
Marinate chicken longer for deeper flavor. Chicken thighs are juicier, but breasts work too. Don’t skip the final butter stir—it makes the sauce silky. Adjust heat with cayenne to your preference.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Indian-Inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 portion
- Calories: 640
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 720mg
- Fat: 48g
- Saturated Fat: 26g
- Unsaturated Fat: 20g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 14g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 38g
- Cholesterol: 170mg
Final Thoughts
This easy homemade butter chicken is rich, creamy, and totally comforting—but also fast enough for a weeknight dinner. Once you make it from scratch, you’ll wonder why you ever ordered takeout.
Make it once, and it’ll be on repeat in your kitchen.