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Butter Chicken, also known as Murgh Makhani, is a rich, creamy, and flavorful Indian dish made with tender chicken simmered in a buttery tomato-based sauce. The combination of warm spices, cream, butter, and tomatoes creates a deliciously comforting curry that is perfect for a family dinner or special occasion.
This easy Butter Chicken recipe is packed with flavor without being overly complicated. Serve it with basmati rice, naan, or roti for a satisfying meal.
What Is Butter Chicken?
Butter Chicken is a popular Indian curry traditionally made with chicken, tomatoes, butter, cream, and aromatic spices.
The chicken is often marinated in yogurt and spices before being cooked and added to the rich tomato sauce. The result is tender chicken covered in a smooth, creamy, mildly spiced sauce.
Ingredients
For the Chicken
- 1½ pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts
- ½ cup plain yogurt
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon garam masala
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- ½ teaspoon turmeric
- Salt to taste
For the Butter Chicken Sauce
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon grated fresh ginger
- 1 teaspoon garam masala
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- ½ teaspoon chili powder
- 1 can crushed tomatoes
- ½ cup heavy cream
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- Salt to taste
- Fresh cilantro for garnish
How to Prepare Butter Chicken
Step 1: Marinate the Chicken
Cut the chicken into bite-sized pieces and place it in a bowl. Add the yogurt, lemon juice, garam masala, cumin, chili powder, turmeric, and salt.
Mix everything thoroughly, making sure the chicken is well coated. Cover and allow it to marinate for at least 30 minutes.
A stainless steel mixing bowl is useful for marinating chicken and preparing sauces and other ingredients.
Step 2: Cook the Chicken
Heat a large non-stick skillet or frying pan over medium-high heat. Cook the marinated chicken until browned and cooked through. Remove the chicken from the pan and set aside.
The chicken does not need to be completely cooked again in the sauce at this stage because it will finish cooking as it simmers.
Step 3: Prepare the Sauce
In the same pan, melt the butter over medium heat.
Add the chopped onion and cook until softened and lightly golden. Add the garlic and ginger and cook for another minute.
Add the garam masala, cumin, and chili powder. Stir for a few seconds until fragrant.
Step 4: Add the Tomatoes
Add the crushed tomatoes and tomato paste to the pan. Stir well and allow the mixture to simmer for approximately 10–15 minutes.
A stainless steel saucepan can also be useful if you prefer preparing the sauce separately.
Step 5: Make the Sauce Creamy
Reduce the heat and add the heavy cream. Stir until the cream is completely incorporated into the tomato sauce.
For an especially smooth butter chicken sauce, you can use an immersion blender to blend the sauce before returning the chicken to the pan.
Step 6: Add the Chicken
Return the cooked chicken to the sauce and stir well.
Allow everything to simmer gently for another 5–10 minutes so the chicken can absorb the flavors of the creamy sauce.
Taste and adjust the salt or spices if needed.
Step 7: Garnish and Serve
Garnish the butter chicken with fresh cilantro and serve hot.
Indian Butter Chicken is delicious with:
- Basmati rice
- Garlic naan
- Plain naan
- Roti
- Chapati
Serve it in a ceramic serving bowl alongside rice or naan for a beautiful family-style meal.
Tips for the Best Butter Chicken
Use chicken thighs if you want especially tender and juicy chicken.
Allowing the chicken to marinate gives it more flavor and helps keep it tender.
Do not cook the cream over very high heat. Gentle simmering helps maintain the smooth texture of the sauce.
Adjust the chili powder according to your preferred level of heat.
For a richer sauce, you can add a little extra butter before serving.
Recommended Kitchen Tools for This Recipe
If you enjoy making Indian food at home, these kitchen essentials can make preparing butter chicken easier:
- Non-Stick Skillet — Useful for browning the marinated chicken and preparing the butter chicken sauce.
- Stainless Steel Mixing Bowls — Great for marinating chicken and preparing ingredients.
- Immersion Blender — Useful for creating a smooth, creamy tomato-based sauce.
- Stainless Steel Saucepan — Handy for preparing sauces, curries, and other dishes.
- Ceramic Serving Bowls — Perfect for serving butter chicken, curries, rice, and other family-style meals.
Affiliate Disclosure: Some of the products in this recommended list are affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. If you purchase through one of these links, I may receive a commission at no cost to you.
