Description
Creamy butter chicken brings Indian culinary magic straight to kitchen tables with minimal effort. Rich spices and tender chicken create a delightful meal you’ll savor without complicated cooking techniques.
Ingredients
Scale
Proteins:
- 1.5 lbs boneless chicken thighs
- 1/2 cup plain yogurt
Spices and Seasonings:
- 2 tbsp garam masala
- 1 tbsp ground cumin
- 1 tbsp ground coriander
- 1 tsp turmeric
- 1 tsp chili powder
- 2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
Base and Sauce Ingredients:
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup butter
- 1 can (14 oz) crushed tomatoes
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 2 cloves garlic
- 1 medium onion
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- 1/4 cup fresh cilantro (for garnish)
- 1 tbsp fresh ginger
Instructions
- Marinate chicken thighs in yogurt, garam masala, cumin, coriander, turmeric, chili powder, salt, and black pepper for 30 minutes at room temperature.
- Dice onion and mince garlic and ginger. Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
- Sauté onions until translucent, approximately 4-5 minutes. Add minced garlic and ginger, cooking for an additional 1 minute.
- Incorporate crushed tomatoes and tomato paste, stirring to create a smooth base sauce. Simmer for 10 minutes.
- Remove marinated chicken from yogurt mixture, shaking off excess. Add chicken to the skillet and cook for 6-8 minutes, turning occasionally to ensure even browning.
- Pour heavy cream and butter into the skillet, stirring gently to combine. Reduce heat to low and let simmer for 15-20 minutes until chicken is fully cooked and sauce thickens.
- Check chicken’s internal temperature reaches 165°F. If needed, continue cooking until desired consistency is achieved.
- Remove from heat and let rest for 5 minutes. Garnish with fresh chopped cilantro before serving.
- Serve hot with rice or naan bread, allowing the rich, aromatic sauce to complement the tender chicken.
Notes
- Swap chicken thighs with tofu or paneer for a vegetarian version that maintains the rich, creamy texture of the original dish.
- Reduce spice intensity by halving chili powder for sensitive palates, ensuring a milder yet flavorful experience.
- Opt for Greek yogurt in marinade to boost protein content and create an extra-tender chicken texture.
- Make-ahead friendly by preparing marinade and sauce base a day in advance, allowing flavors to develop deeper complexity.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 36-43 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Indian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 652
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 1200 mg
- Fat: 54 g
- Saturated Fat: 30 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 20 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 12 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 34 g
- Cholesterol: 180 mg