Butter chicken – oh man, where do we even begin? This Indian dish is like a flavor explosion in your mouth! Tender chicken swimming in a creamy tomato sauce that’s bursting with warm spices? It’s the perfect combination of comforting and exciting. Plus, it’s surprisingly easy to make at home, so you can skip the takeout line and whip up this restaurant-worthy curry yourself. Get ready to impress your taste buds (and maybe your friends) with this deliciousness!
- Preparation Time
15 minutes - Cooking Time
45 minutes - Serves
4 adults - Difficulty
Easy
Butter Chicken vs Tikka Masala
Butter chicken and tikka masala – two creamy curries that will have you saying “yum” on busy weeknights. But what’s the difference? Let’s break it down like a food fight!
Butter Chicken: Sweeter and richer, this curry is the king of cream. Think comfort food with a buttery hug. Spice level? It’s pretty mild, perfect for those who like things mellow.
Tikka Masala: Tangy and a bit spicier, this curry has more going on flavor-wise. It’s still creamy, but the tomato base peeks through for a more complex taste. The chicken? Traditionally, it gets marinated in yogurt and cooked in a tandoor oven for an extra kick.
Both these curries are awesome and easy to make at home. So, grab your favorite naan or rice, and give them a try! You might just discover your new favorite curry night champion.
Table of Contents
Butter Chicken
Ingredients
For the marinade:
- ½ cup plain yogurt
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tsp ground turmeric
- 2 tsp garam masala
- ½ tsp chili powder or cayenne pepper
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tbsp grated ginger
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1.5 pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
For the gravy:
- 2 tbsp ghee or butter
- 1 large onion thinly sliced
- 1 14.5-ounce can diced tomatoes
- ½ cup heavy cream
- 1 tbsp tomato paste
- ½ tsp sugar
- Salt to taste
- 1 tbsp chopped fresh cilantro for garnish
Instructions
- Grab a bowl and whisk together yogurt, lemon juice, all those spices (turmeric, garam masala, chili powder, cumin), ginger, and garlic. Don’t forget the chicken! Toss the chicken pieces in this yummy marinade, cover it up, and shove it in the fridge for at least 30 minutes. Overnight is even better for super flavorful chicken.
- Time to cook! Heat up some ghee or butter in a pan. Toss in the chicken with all that marinade goodness and cook it for 5-7 minutes per side. You’re looking for golden brown and cooked through chicken. Once it’s ready, take it out and set it aside for a bit.
- In the same pan, saute the onions until they’re nice and soft. Then, add the diced tomatoes, tomato paste, and a little bit of sugar. Let it simmer for 10 minutes so the flavors can get to know each other. Don’t forget to add some salt for taste!
- Here comes the creamy part! Pour in the heavy cream and stir it all together. Add your chicken back to the pan and simmer for another 5 minutes. Now the chicken gets to soak up all that delicious sauce.
- Last but not least, garnish your butter chicken with some fresh cilantro (chopped up fancy or however you like it) and serve it with rice or naan. Boom! Dinner is done!
Ingredients
For the marinade:
- ½ cup plain yogurt
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tsp ground turmeric
- 2 tsp garam masala
- ½ tsp chili powder or cayenne pepper
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tbsp grated ginger
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1.5 pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
For the gravy:
- 2 tbsp ghee or butter
- 1 large onion thinly sliced
- 1 14.5-ounce can of diced tomatoes
- ½ cup heavy cream
- 1 tbsp tomato paste
- ½ tsp sugar
- Salt to taste
- 1 tbsp chopped fresh cilantro for garnish
How to Make butter chicken (Instructions)
- Grab a bowl and whisk together yogurt, lemon juice, all those spices (turmeric, garam masala, chili powder, cumin), ginger, and garlic. Don’t forget the chicken! Toss the chicken pieces in this yummy marinade, cover it up, and shove it in the fridge for at least 30 minutes. Overnight is even better for super flavorful chicken.
- Time to cook! Heat up some ghee or butter in a pan. Toss in the chicken with all that marinade goodness and cook it for 5-7 minutes per side. You’re looking for golden brown and cooked-through chicken. Once it’s ready, take it out and set it aside for a bit.
- In the same pan, saute the onions until they’re nice and soft. Then, add the diced tomatoes, tomato paste, and a little bit of sugar. Let it simmer for 10 minutes so the flavors can get to know each other. Don’t forget to add some salt for taste!
- Here comes the creamy part! Pour in the heavy cream and stir it all together. Add your chicken back to the pan and simmer for another 5 minutes. Now the chicken gets to soak up all that delicious sauce.
- Last but not least, garnish your butter chicken with some fresh cilantro (chopped up fancy or however you like it) and serve it with rice or naan. Boom! Dinner is done!
Pro Tips & Trick Butter chicken
- Chicken Power-Up: Want to add another layer of flavor? Use bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs instead. Just remember to take the skin and bones off before serving.
- Spice It Up: Feeling fiery? Go crazy and add a little more chili powder or cayenne pepper to the marinade. But be warned, a little goes a long way!
- Leftover Love: Made a big batch? No worries! Butter chicken is perfect for leftovers. Just store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat it gently on the stovetop over low heat whenever your stomach rumbles.
- Naan or No Naan? This dish is delicious with both basmati rice and naan bread. It’s really up to you! If you don’t have naan, some fluffy pita bread would also be tasty.
- The Secret Ingredient? Patience: The longer you marinate the chicken, the deeper the flavor. Aim for at least 30 minutes, but overnight is truly magical for the most flavorful chicken.
FAQ’s
1. What is butter chicken sauce made of?
The magic of butter chicken sauce comes from a few key ingredients:
- Tomato base: This is usually diced tomatoes from a can, or sometimes tomato puree.
- Aromatics: Chopped onion, ginger, and garlic are sauteed to create a fragrant base.
- Spices: Garam masala, a warm and complex Indian spice blend, is the star. Other spices like turmeric, cumin, and chili powder (or cayenne pepper) are often added for extra depth and a touch of heat.
- Creamy goodness: Heavy cream is what gives the sauce its signature richness and smooth texture.
- A touch of sweetness: A little bit of sugar helps balance the tangy tomatoes and all those spices.
2. How to thicken butter chicken?
- Simmer Power: Let it simmer for a few more minutes. The water will evaporate, making the sauce thicker naturally.
- Cornstarch Trick: Mix a tablespoon of cornstarch with some water to make a slurry. Whisk it into your simmering butter chicken and it’ll thicken up quickly. Be careful not to add too much though!
- Creamy Thickener: Stir in a tablespoon or two of heavy cream for extra richness and a slight thickening effect
3. Is butter chicken spicy?
Nope, it’s usually pretty mild. But if you like it hot, add more chili powder to the marinade.
4. What goes with butter chicken?
Naan and rice are classic choices! You can also use pita bread or cauliflower rice for a gluten-free option
5. Out of heavy cream?
No worries! Use whole milk or even coconut milk instead.
Have an eye on this
corn nuggets recipe, shrimp scampi red lobster recipe, Garlic Butter Chicken in 30 mins
To know more about Butter chicken CLICK HERE
