Indian Butter Chicken Recipe (2024)

Published: by Dina

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This Indian Butter Chicken Recipe makes a delicious dish full of rich spices and flavors. The yogurt marinade and sauce will give your chicken an amazing flavor that you’re going to love.

This Indian butter chicken tastes great with some rustic bread and wild brown rice.

Indian Butter Chicken Recipe (1)

Best Indian butter chicken

Butter chicken is a well-known Indian dish that is very similar to chicken curry and chicken tikka masala. The chicken is marinated in a spiced Greek yogurt marinade, then added to a creamy tomato sauce that is mildly flavored with a few more spices, including curry, cumin, tandoori masala, and chili.

Everyone has their own version of how to make this dish. And I can guarantee everyone thinks their version is the best. I’m sure they are all good in their own ways. That’s the fun part about cooking. You can get really creative with just about any dish. If you enjoy Indian cuisine, this recipe is sure to become a favorite.

Is it spicy?

The short answer is no because Indian butter chicken uses a lot of spices, but is not spicy. However, if you want it to be spicy then you can make it so by increasing ingredients like cayenne pepper. But butter chicken is not typically spicy.

Why is it called butter chicken?

Indian butter chicken got its name because it is usually prepared in a makhani gravy, or butter gravy. It’s cooked in butter and cream, so the sauce has a buttery flavor – hence the name.

How to make butter chicken (marinade)

  1. Combine spices and ingredients. In a bowl, mix together the yogurt, garlic, and ginger along with the other spices for the marinade. Make sure everything is well incorporated.
  2. Marinate the chicken. Place the chicken thighs in the marinade and make sure that all sides are covered.
  3. Let sit. Cover the bowl and place it in the refrigerator. Let it marinate for about 4 hours.
  4. Bake the chicken. After the chicken has finished marinating, place the thighs on a foil-lined baking sheet and bake for 20 minutes at 380 degrees Fahrenheit. Then, turn the oven to broil for 4-5 minutes.
  5. Cool and cut. Once the chicken has cooled down, collect all the drippings and set them aside. Then, cut the chicken thighs into 1-inch cubes.

Indian Butter Chicken Recipe (2)

How to make butter chicken sauce

  1. Dice the tomatoes and onions. Dice the onions and tomatoes then set aside.
  2. Cook the cumin seeds. In a large skillet, melt the butter with the avocado oil over high heat. When the oil is hot, add the cumin seeds and stir for 1 minute.
  3. Add the garlic, ginger, and onion. Add the garlic cloves, ginger, and diced onion to the oil and cook until the onion becomes translucent.
  4. Then add the tomatoes. Add the diced tomatoes to the butter sauce and cook for 3 minutes. Then, add the tomato sauce.
  5. Add the rest of the spices. Once the sauce has cooked for a few minutes, add in the rest of the spices on the ingredient list. Stir well.
  6. Add the chicken. Place the cooked and cubed chicken into the butter sauce.
  7. Add the heavy cream. Pour in the heavy cream and allow to cook for about 5 minutes before taking it off the heat.

Indian Butter Chicken Recipe (3)

What to serve it with

  • Naan bread
  • pilaf or basmati rice
  • sauteed or stir-fried vegetables seasoned with Indian spices.

How long will this dish keep?

This Indian butter chicken will last up to 4 days in an airtight container in the refrigerator. If you are just storing the sauce alone, then you can keep that in a lidded container for about 4 days in the fridge.

Butter chicken vs chicken tikka masala

Butter chicken has a lot of similarities to chicken tikka masala. The main differences are that butter chicken is more creamy, and not as tomato-ey. Also, because chicken tikka is cooked in a tandoor, it is drier than the moister and saucier butter chicken.

Indian Butter Chicken Recipe (4)

Full Recipe Instructions

Indian Butter Chicken Recipe (5)

Indian Butter Chicken Recipe

Creamy and buttery, this Indian Butter Chicken is mouth-wateringly delicious. The mix of spices with juicy chicken make this dish taste oh so good.

5 from 3 votes

Print Pin Rate

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: Indian

Prep Time: 35 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 35 minutes minutes

Marinating time: 4 hours hours

Total Time: 5 hours hours 10 minutes minutes

Servings: 8

Calories: 296kcal

Author: Dina

Ingredients

Marinade

  • 2 cloves garlic pressed
  • 1 cup plain yogurt
  • 1/8 tsp ginger
  • 1 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp turmeric
  • 2 tsp chili
  • 2 tsp tandoori masala
  • 1 tsp cumin
  • 1 tsp curry
  • 1 tsp cayenne
  • 2 1/2 lb. boneless skinless chicken thighs

Butter Chicken Sauce

  • 3 tbsp avocado oil
  • 3 tbsp unsalted butter
  • 1/2 tsp cumin seeds
  • 4 cloves garlic
  • 1 1/2 onions
  • 1/4 tsp ginger
  • 2 tomatoes
  • 1 cup tomatoes sauce
  • 1 tsp turmeric
  • 1 tsp chili
  • 1.5 tsp tandoori masala spice
  • 1 tsp cumin
  • 1 tsp curry
  • 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 cup juice from chicken
  • 1 cup heavy cream

Instructions

Marinate the chicken

  • In a bowl combine the Greek yogurt, 2 cloves of pressed garlic, and 1/8 tsp ginger along with all of the spices listed under the marinade.

  • Add the chicken thighs into the marinade. Cover and let it marinate in the refrigerator for about 4 hours.

Bake chicken in the oven

  • Once the chicken has marinated, line a baking sheet with foil and lay the chicken on top. Preheat the oven to 380 degrees Fahrenheit and bake for 20 minutes. Then turn the oven onto broil and bake for another 4-5 minutes.

  • 4. After the chicken cools down, collect all the drippingsfrom the chicken and set it aside. Then cut into 1-inch cubes.

Make the sauce

  • Dice the tomato and onion and set aside.

  • In a large skillet heat butter and avocado oil over high heat. When the oil becomes hot add the cumin seeds and stir for about 1 minute.

  • Add 4 cloves of minced garlic, 1/4 tsp of ginger, and the diced onion to the oil and cook until the onion becomes translucent.

  • Add the diced tomatoes and cook for about 3 minutes. Then add the tomato sauce.

  • After the sauce has cooked for a few minutes add the rest of the spices listed below the sauce ingredients.

Add chicken back in + heavy cream

  • Add the chicken back into the sauce and pour in the heavy cream. Let the flavors blend for another 5 minutes then remove from heat.

Notes

How long will butter chicken keep?

This Indian butter chicken will last up to 4 days in an airtight container in the refrigerator. If you are just storing the sauce alone, then you can keep that in a lidded container for about 4 days in the fridge.

What to serve it with

  • Naan bread
  • pilaf or basmati rice
  • sauteed or stir-fried vegetables seasoned with Indian spices.

Nutrition

Calories: 296kcal | Carbohydrates: 6g | Protein: 29g | Fat: 17g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Cholesterol: 150mg | Sodium: 873mg | Potassium: 530mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 816IU | Vitamin C: 9mg | Calcium: 68mg | Iron: 2mg

Did you make this recipe? Snap a photo of it and tag me on Instagram @simplyhomecooked or use the hashtag #simplyhomecooked so I can see it and feature it!

This recipe was originally published on July 17, 2015, but it has been updated since.

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Hi, I’m Dina, so glad you stopped by! I believe life is too short for bad coffee and boring meals. With my easy to follow step-by-step recipes, you’ll be surprised at how quickly a wholesome and delicious meal can come together. I hope you find something you enjoy!

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  1. Myra Zocher says

    Indian Butter Chicken Recipe (8)
    Dina, I made your butter chicken recipe the other day, and I was blown away by how good it was. I didn’t have time to marinate the chicken for 4 hours, but I didn’t let that stop me. I think everything else was pretty much on point as far as directions, and wow, it was fantastic – I couldn’t get enough. I served it with garlic naan, riata, and rice. I am so glad I have this recipe, because I plan to make it over and over. Thank you!!!

    Reply

    • Dina says

      Myra, that is amazing! I am so happy that you stumbled upon my recipe! Thank you so much for your kind feedback 🙂

      Reply

  2. Teresa Czaja says

    One of the ingredients is chili. Do you mean chili powder?

    Reply

    • simplyhomecooked says

      Yes, chili powder 🙂

      Reply

  3. Lucy says

    Ok I gotta try this first 😊

    Reply

    • simplyhomecooked says

      Hi Lucy, I hope you enjoy this recipe!

      Reply

  4. Liliya Guyvoronsky says

    Indian Butter Chicken Recipe (9)
    My favorite recipe from your website. My boys and husband always ask me to make it. Not too spicy and better than any Indian places that we tried:)

    Reply

    • simplyhomecooked says

      Wow Liliya, that’s awesome! I’m so happy to hear that your family loves this Indian butter chicken recipe 🙂

      Reply

  5. tori says

    What is juice from chicken?

    Reply

    • simplyhomecooked says

      Hi Tori, I just updated the recipe. I meant to say “chicken drippings”. That’s the juice that collects in the baking sheet after the chicken is done baking.

      Reply

  6. Irina says

    Hi. Thank you for the recipe. I’m excited to make this. How spicy is this dish?

    Reply

    • simplyhomecooked says

      Hi Irina, its pretty mild. My kids can eat it without a problem. Hope that helps 🙂

      Reply

  7. Larisa says

    Indian Butter Chicken Recipe (10)
    Love this recipe! This is a huge hit with my family- one of my husbands favorite meals! Thank you for this simple but tasty recipe.

    Reply

    • simplyhomecooked says

      Thank you for your kind review Larisa!

      Reply

Indian Butter Chicken Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is the sauce in butter chicken made of? ›

Butter chicken sauce is made of sauteed onions, tomato puree, and lots of spices. It's finished at the end with a smattering of heavy cream and some fenugreek leaves.

What are the ingredients in Kitchen of India butter chicken? ›

Ingredients. Tomato Paste, Sunflower Oil, Onions, Water, Spices, Garlic, Gram Flour, Salt, Sugar, Skim Milk Powder, Ginger, Melon Seeds, Cashews And Paprika Oleoresin. Contains Milk And Cashews. May Contain Mustard Seeds, Peanuts, Sesame Seeds, Soy, Tree Nuts And Wheat.

Why is my butter chicken tasteless? ›

The base ingredients that are sour or tangy need to be there in the correct quantities. You need a lot of yoghurt and lime juice to marinate the chicken. When you add the butter, make sure you have a lot of rich, ripe tomatoes. Using pale or unripened tomatoes will make the dish quite bland.

What thickens butter chicken? ›

Yoghurt or heavy cream:

Stir them in gently, as high heat may cause curdling. These ingredients are ideal for creating a luxurious texture in dishes like butter chicken or tikka masala.

Can you use sour cream instead of yogurt in butter chicken? ›

Chicken – You'll need boneless and skinless chicken breast – cubed. You can sub it with chicken thighs. Yogurt – Plain yogurt or sour cream will work.

Can I use milk instead of cream in butter chicken? ›

I wanted to create a slightly healthier version that still tasted like an authentic butter chicken recipe. First, this recipe only uses 2 tablespoons of butter and a can of evaporated milk instead of heavy cream. You can also use coconut milk, but it will give it a slightly coconut flavor.

What do Indians eat butter chicken with? ›

Butter chicken is a popular Indian dish made with chicken, spices, tomatoes & cream. This creamy & authentic tasting butter chicken is the best you can make at home. Serve butter chicken with Turmeric rice, Cumin rice, basmati rice or naan.

What's the difference between tikka masala and butter chicken? ›

Butter chicken is a traditional Indian dish that is rich and creamy with a subtle smoky flavor. At the same time, tikka masala is a British Indian dish with a more complex flavor profile with tangy and spicy notes. Butter chicken is generally sweeter and milder in spiciness, while tikka masala is tangy and spicy.

What can you use instead of tomato paste for butter chicken? ›

You don't have to dash out to the store if you're out of tomato paste; tomato sauce and tomato puree are both an excellent substitute. For every 1 tablespoon of tomato paste needed, use 3 tablespoons of tomato puree or sauce.

What can I add to my curry to make it taste better? ›

The easiest way to fix a bland and tasteless curry is by adding spices like red chili powder, cumin, coriander, garam masala, curry leaves and turmeric. Just make a quick tempering and pour over the curry to give it a nice punch of spices and herbs.

How do you reduce the bitterness in butter chicken? ›

Easy Ways to Reduce Bitter Taste in Any Food
  1. 1 Balance out bitterness with some fat.
  2. 2 Cover the flavor with sweetness.
  3. 3 Sprinkle some salt over your food.
  4. 4 Try a pinch of baking soda.
  5. 5 Squeeze in some vinegar or lemon juice.
  6. 6 Add some spice to your foods.
  7. 7 Cook with herbs to cut through the bitter taste.
Apr 10, 2024

Why add cashews to butter chicken? ›

In many recipes for butter chicken, copious amounts of butter and heavy cream supply richness, but we do as we were taught in India and use cashews pureed with a small amount of water until smooth. The nut puree adds creaminess without making the dish heavy.

Can you overcook butter chicken? ›

Do not overcook because it will continue to cook in the sauce.

Why is my butter chicken chewy? ›

You're not cooking the chicken right

Butter chicken tastes good only when the chicken is cooked right. If it's hard and rubbery, it will obviously be difficult to chew and spoil your entire experience of relishing the dish. Always cook the chicken on a low-medium flame to prevent it from becoming hard.

What is butter sauce made of? ›

Melt butter in medium saucepan. Slowly whisk in water and bring to a low boil for 5 minutes, stirring often. Stir in butter flavoring and serve over hot pasta.

Is butter chicken sauce the same as tikka masala? ›

The main difference between butter chicken and tandoori chicken tikka masala is the level of creaminess; butter chicken is much creamier, whereas chicken tikka masala relies on tomatoes and other spices, giving it its earthy and spicy flavor profile.

What is garam masala made of? ›

Garam masala consists of ground spices like cloves, cinnamon, cardamoms, cumin, coriander, nutmeg, bay leaf, mace and black pepper. Some versions even consist of fennel seeds, red chilies and black cardamoms.

What to use instead of garam masala? ›

Cumin mixed with allspice: This two-part blend makes sense if you think about it. Allspice's flavor is reminiscent of cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, and pepper—mixed with cumin, that's a pretty darn good garam masala substitute. Just mix 1 part cumin with ¼ part allspice.

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