Name: Quick & Easy Homemade Butter Chicken Recipe
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 45 min
Cuisine: Indian
Ingredients: 1 ½ pounds skinless boneless chicken thighs, cut into bite-sized chunks; 1 teaspoon salt; 1 teaspoon garlic powder; 1 teaspoon sweet paprika; ½ teaspoon curry powder; 1 tablespoon Greek yogurt; 3 tablespoons vegetable oil; 3 tablespoons butter divided; 6 garlic cloves minced; 1 medium onion diced; 1 15-ounce can tomato sauce; 1 teaspoon sugar; 1 teaspoon salt adjust to taste; ½ teaspoon black pepper; 2 cups heavy cream; ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper optional for heat; 1 teaspoon garam masala; ½ teaspoon curry powder; ¼ cup freshly chopped parsley optional, for garnish; Naan bread; Steamed rice

Jump to Recipe·5.1 from 18 reviews

This Quick & Easy Homemade Butter Chicken Recipe is about to become your go-to dish whenever you crave something cozy, creamy, and impossibly satisfying. Imagine juicy chicken bathed in a luscious tomato-cream sauce, kissed with vibrant spices, finished with just the right touch of butter. Whether you’re new to Indian-inspired cooking or an expert in comfort food, this recipe is the fuss-free kitchen hero you didn’t know you needed. Plus, it’s ready in under an hour—perfect for busy weeknights or casual gatherings with friends!

Quick & Easy Homemade Butter Chicken Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

Gathering fresh, simple ingredients is the secret behind this crowd-pleasing butter chicken. Each item brings something unique to the party: color, heat, richness, or vibrant flavor. Here’s what you’ll need to make this Quick & Easy Homemade Butter Chicken Recipe unforgettable:

Chicken Thighs: Juicy, tender, and perfect for soaking up all that creamy sauce; cut into bite-sized pieces for faster cooking.
Salt: Essential seasoning that brings out all the flavors in the chicken and sauce.
Garlic Powder: For a deeply savory note in the marinade; makes marinating effortless and speedy.
Sweet Paprika: Gives gorgeous color and gentle warmth to both chicken and sauce.
Curry Powder: Classic spice blend that delivers that unmistakable butter chicken character.
Greek Yogurt: Tenderizes the chicken and adds subtle tang in the marinade.
Vegetable Oil: Perfect for browning chicken, ensuring a golden finish without extra flavor competing with the spices.
Butter: Divided for sautéing and swirling in at the end; creates that signature silkiness in the sauce.
Garlic (Fresh): Brings irresistible fragrance and depth to the sauce—don’t skip it!
Onion: A flavor backbone, creating a sweet and mellow base as it cooks down.
Tomato Sauce: Lends body and that classic brick-red hue to the butter chicken.
Sugar: Balances the natural acidity of tomatoes and rounds out the sauce.
Black Pepper: Adds gentle warmth and lifts the savoriness of the dish.
Heavy Cream: The secret to that rich, velvety finish butter chicken is famous for.
Cayenne Pepper (Optional): A pinch spices things up for those who like a little heat!
Garam Masala: A finishing blend that ties all the flavors together with warmth and complexity.
Fresh Parsley (Optional): Brightens everything up when sprinkled over the finished dish.
Naan Bread & Steamed Rice: Ideal for scooping up every last drop of that amazing sauce.

How to Make Quick & Easy Homemade Butter Chicken Recipe

Step 1: Marinate the Chicken

In a medium bowl, combine the chicken pieces with salt, garlic powder, sweet paprika, curry powder, and Greek yogurt. Mix until every morsel is generously coated. Let it rest for just 15 minutes; you’ll be surprised how much flavor infuses so quickly! Sprint through your other prep while the magic happens.

Step 2: Cook the Chicken

Heat vegetable oil in your largest skillet over medium-high heat. Add the marinated chicken and let it sizzle undisturbed for a few minutes to build a golden crust. Stir occasionally for even browning, and after about 8-10 minutes, remove the cooked chicken and keep it close—you’ll want it back soon!

Step 3: Prepare the Sauce Base

In the same skillet, drop in a tablespoon of butter and let it melt, scraping up all those savory browned bits from the bottom (hello, flavor!). Add the minced garlic and diced onion, tossing in a pinch of salt. Sauté gently until fragrant and golden, the kitchen will smell incredible at this point!

Step 4: Build the Sauce

Time to introduce tomato sauce and sugar to the skillet. Let this simmer for a couple of minutes, then welcome your golden chicken pieces back into the pan. Pour in the heavy cream and stir until that beloved orange color emerges—it’s creamy comfort in a flash.

Step 5: Season and Simmer

Sprinkle in cayenne pepper (if using), garam masala, curry powder, and black pepper. Lower the heat and let your butter chicken gently bubble for about 10 minutes. The sauce will turn thick and glossy, cloaking the chicken in spicy, silky goodness. Taste the sauce and adjust salt or spice as needed.

Step 6: Finish with Butter

Toss in the final two tablespoons of cold butter, swirling it in until the sauce is impossibly rich and shiny. Garnish with chopped parsley for a fresh burst of color—optional, but delightful!

Step 7: Serve and Enjoy

Ladle your Quick & Easy Homemade Butter Chicken Recipe over pillowy steamed rice or dunk warm naan straight into the sauce. Dive in while it’s hot and enjoy the unbeatable flavor!

How to Serve Quick & Easy Homemade Butter Chicken Recipe

Garnishes

The right finishing touch can turn this comfort dish into a restaurant-worthy meal! Top with generous handfuls of fresh chopped parsley (or cilantro for a more traditional flavor). A dollop of Greek yogurt or a drizzle of cream just before serving adds visual flair and even more richness, while a few sliced chilis deliver that extra flash of color and heat if desired.

Side Dishes

There’s nothing better than mopping up the creamy sauce with fluffy naan bread or scooping the chicken over soft, fragrant basmati rice. For a full Indian-inspired spread, add a simple side of cucumber raita or a quick kachumber salad for crunch. Don’t forget mango chutney or pickled vegetables to brighten every bite!

Creative Ways to Present

If you’re hosting or just in the mood to impress, serve your butter chicken in mini bowls for a party appetizer or dip. Use shallow serving dishes with swirls of cream and a dusting of garam masala to elevate the look. Pair with colorful sides—think peas pulao or grilled vegetables—for a feast that pops with color and texture.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store any leftovers of your Quick & Easy Homemade Butter Chicken Recipe in an airtight container in the refrigerator. The flavors continue to mingle overnight, making for an even tastier lunch or dinner the next day (if it lasts that long!).

Freezing

This recipe is wonderfully freezer-friendly! Let everything cool, then transfer to a freezer-safe container. It will keep for up to three months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before gently reheating—your future self will thank you.

Reheating

To reheat, simply warm the butter chicken gently on the stovetop over low heat, adding a splash of cream or milk if the sauce has thickened too much. You can also microwave in short bursts, stirring in between, for those in-a-hurry moments.

FAQs

Can I use chicken breast instead of thighs?

Absolutely! Chicken breast works well too—just be careful not to overcook it, as breast meat can dry out more quickly than thighs.

How spicy is this Quick & Easy Homemade Butter Chicken Recipe?

It’s mild and family-friendly as written, but you can dial up the heat by adding more cayenne or even a bit of chopped green chili.

What’s the best rice to serve with butter chicken?

Basmati rice is the classic pairing thanks to its delicate aroma and fluffy texture, but any long-grain white or brown rice will do the trick.

Can I make this recipe dairy-free?

Definitely! Swap the Greek yogurt for a plant-based option and use coconut cream in place of heavy cream and butter. The sauce will still be rich and delicious.

Why is my sauce too thin or thick?

If your sauce is too thin, a quick slurry of cornstarch and water will thicken it right up. If too thick, just splash in a bit more cream or water to reach your favorite consistency.

Final Thoughts

I hope you love making—and eating—this Quick & Easy Homemade Butter Chicken Recipe as much as I do. It’s truly a weeknight lifesaver and a surefire way to wow anyone lucky enough to sit at your table. Grab your favorite naan, scoop up every last drop, and let this become your new comfort food classic!