4.8 from 66 votes
Easy Butter Chicken Recipe
Tender chunks of chicken are coated in a silky smooth tomato-based cream sauce that's spiked with butter and a blend of fragrant Indian spices. This quick and easy butter chicken recipe is spiced, not spicy, making it perfect for weeknight family dinners.
Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
10 mins
Total Time
40 mins
Servings: 6 servings
Calories: 913 kcal
Course:
Main Course
Cuisine:
Indian
Ingredients
- 1 ½ pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs , trimmed and cut into 1-inch pieces
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil , divided
- 4 tablespoons butter , divided
- 1 yellow onion , diced
- 3 teaspoons garam masala
- 1 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 6 ounce can tomato paste
- 1 cup tomato sauce
- 1 bay leaf
- 2 cups heavy cream
- ½ lime
- cilantro leaves , for garnish
Instructions
- Add the chunks of chicken to a bowl and season with the kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper. Toss to coat and set aside.
- In a large, high-sided skillet or 6-quart pan, heat 1 tablespoon oil and 1 tablespoon butter over medium heat. Add the onion and cook for 4-5 minutes or until it begins to soften. Add the garam masala, ground ginger, and chili powder and cook for 2 minutes, stirring often so it doesn't burn. Stir in the tomato paste and tomato sauce and whisk until smooth; cook for 2 minutes.
- Stir in the cream until smooth then add the bay leaf. Bring to a boil then reduce to a simmer and cook for 5 minutes.
- While the sauce cooks, add the remaining 1 tablespoon oil and 1 tablespoon butter to a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook for 4-5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the chicken is lightly browned on all sides.
- Add the tomato cream sauce to the chicken and stir to combine. Scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan and simmer for 10-15 minutes. Add a squeeze of lime and garnish with chopped cilantro. Serve with basmati rice and garlic naan on the side.
Cup of Yum
Nutrition Information
Calories
913kcal
(46%)
Carbohydrates
23g
(8%)
Protein
26g
(52%)
Fat
82g
(126%)
Saturated Fat
46g
(230%)
Cholesterol
304mg
(101%)
Sodium
956mg
(40%)
Potassium
1122mg
(32%)
Fiber
6g
(24%)
Sugar
11g
(22%)
Vitamin A
3496IU
(70%)
Vitamin C
28mg
(31%)
Calcium
129mg
(13%)
Iron
3mg
(17%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 6servings
Amount Per Serving
Calories 913
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 913kcal | 46% |
| Carbohydrates | 23g | 8% |
| Protein | 26g | 52% |
| Fat | 82g | 126% |
| Saturated Fat | 46g | 230% |
| Cholesterol | 304mg | 101% |
| Sodium | 956mg | 40% |
| Potassium | 1122mg | 24% |
| Fiber | 6g | 24% |
| Sugar | 11g | 22% |
| Vitamin A | 3496IU | 70% |
| Vitamin C | 28mg | 31% |
| Calcium | 129mg | 13% |
| Iron | 3mg | 17% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.