Rich & Creamy Butter Chicken

This authentic butter chicken recipe delivers the perfect balance of creamy tomato sauce and aromatic spices that made this dish a global favorite. Tender marinated chicken thighs are smothered in a rich, velvety sauce that's pure comfort food magic. Ready in just over an hour, this restaurant-quality dish will become your go-to for impressive dinners and cozy nights alike.

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Course: Main Course

Cuisine: Indian

Keyword: Chicken, Curry

Prep Time: 10

Cook Time: 25

Marinating Time: 30

Total Time: 1 5

Servings:

Calories: 485kcal

Equipment

Ingredients

For the Chicken Marinade:

2 lbs chicken thighs boneless and skinless, cut into bite-sized pieces
½ cup plain yogurt
2 tbsp ginger garlic paste
1 tsp garam masala
½ tsp turmeric
1 tbsp Kashmiri chili powder
1 tsp salt

For the Sauce:

4 tbsp butter
½ cup tomato paste
½ cup heavy cream
Salt to taste

Instructions

In a large bowl, combine yogurt, ginger garlic paste, garam masala, turmeric, Kashmiri chili powder, and salt to create the marinade.
Add chicken pieces to the marinade, ensuring all pieces are well coated. Cover and marinate for 30 minutes at room temperature or up to 4 hours in the refrigerator.
Heat a grill pan or large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook the marinated chicken pieces for 6-8 minutes, turning occasionally until cooked through and slightly charred. Remove and set aside.
In a skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add tomato paste and cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring constantly until fragrant.
Add the cooked chicken back to the pan and toss to coat with the tomato mixture.
Pour in the heavy cream and stir gently to combine. Simmer for 5-7 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly.
Season with salt to taste and remove from heat.
Serve hot with basmati rice or fresh naan, garnished with chopped cilantro.

Notes

Chicken thighs work best for this recipe as they remain tender and juicy, but chicken breast can be substituted if preferred

Kashmiri chili powder provides the signature color and mild heat - regular paprika can substitute but won't give the authentic flavor

For deeper flavor, marinate the chicken overnight in the refrigerator

The sauce can be made smoother by blending the tomato paste with a splash of water before adding to the pan

Leftover butter chicken tastes even better the next day and can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days

For a dairy-free version, substitute coconut cream for heavy cream and ghee or oil for butter

Adjust the spice level by increasing or decreasing the amount of chili powder to your preference

Nutrition