Easy Indian Butter Chicken

Indulge in the rich and creamy flavors of Easy Indian Butter Chicken, a restaurant-style favorite you can effortlessly recreate at home. Featuring tender bites of marinated chicken thighs simmered in a luscious tomato and cream-based sauce, this recipe combines classic Indian spices like garam masala, turmeric, and cumin to deliver a burst of aromatic warmth in every bite. With a quick marinade and just 40 minutes of cooking time, this one-pan dish is perfect for busy weeknights or cozy dinners. Serve it with fluffy basmati rice or warm naan for a comforting, flavor-packed meal that’s sure to impress.

Nutriscore Rating: 64/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:40 mins

Total Time:60 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 500 grams Chicken thighs (boneless, skinless)
• 120 ml Plain yogurt
• 3 cloves Garlic (minced)
• 1 tablespoon Ginger (grated)
• 1 teaspoon Ground turmeric
• 1 teaspoon Ground cumin
• 2 teaspoons Garam masala
• 1 teaspoon Paprika
• 1 teaspoon Salt
• 3 tablespoons Butter (unsalted)
• 400 grams Tomato puree
• 120 ml Heavy cream
• 1 teaspoon Sugar
• 2 tablespoons Cilantro (fresh, chopped)
• 2 tablespoons Vegetable oil

Directions

Step 1

Cut the chicken thighs into bite-sized pieces and place them in a mixing bowl.

Step 2

In the bowl, combine the yogurt, minced garlic, grated ginger, turmeric, cumin, 1 teaspoon of garam masala, paprika, and salt. Mix well until the chicken is coated evenly. Cover and marinate for at least 30 minutes, or refrigerate for up to 4 hours for deeper flavor.

Step 3

Heat 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil in a large skillet or pan over medium-high heat. Add the marinated chicken pieces in batches, cooking them until they are lightly browned on both sides. Transfer the chicken to a plate and set aside.

Step 4

In the same pan, reduce the heat to medium and add 2 tablespoons of butter. Once melted, add the remaining garlic, ginger, and garam masala. Sauté the spices for about 1 minute until aromatic.

Step 5

Stir in the tomato puree and let it cook for 7-10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens and darkens slightly.

Step 6

Reduce the heat to low and stir in the heavy cream, sugar, and the remaining 1 tablespoon of butter. Mix until the sauce is smooth and creamy.

Step 7

Return the browned chicken to the pan, stirring to coat the pieces in the sauce. Cover and let it simmer for 15-20 minutes, or until the chicken is fully cooked and tender.

Step 8

Garnish with freshly chopped cilantro and serve hot with basmati rice or naan.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	1256.6 grams (1256.6g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2285

Total Fat 160.30g	206%
Saturated Fat 66.50g	333%
Polyunsaturated Fat 16.90g
Cholesterol 766mg	255%
Sodium 3011mg	131%
Total Carbohydrate 60.00g	22%
Dietary Fiber 11.30g	40%
Total Sugars 34.50g
Protein 146.90g	294%

Vitamin D 81IU	403%
Calcium 406mg	31%
Iron 15mg	82%
Potassium 3533mg	75%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 63.5%

Protein: 25.9%

Carbs: 10.6%