How to Make Homemade Butter Chicken in 30 Minutes

Are you ready to embark on a culinary adventure that will tantalize your taste buds and impress your family? If you’re like me, you love quick family dinners that don’t skimp on flavor. Today, I’m excited to share my Quick & Easy Homemade Butter Chicken Recipe that you can whip up in just 30 minutes! This dish is perfect for busy weeknights and is sure to become a favorite in your household. Plus, it pairs beautifully with naan bread and steamed rice, making it a complete meal that everyone will love!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Quick and easy to prepare, perfect for 30-minute meals.
• Rich, creamy sauce that’s bursting with flavor.
• Uses simple ingredients you likely already have at home.
• Great for family dinners or impressing your boyfriend with a delicious homemade meal.
• Can be easily adjusted for spice levels to suit your family’s taste.

Ingredients

To make this delightful butter chicken, you’ll need the following ingredients:

• 1 ½ pounds skinless boneless chicken thighs, cut into bite-sized chunks
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon sweet paprika
• ½ teaspoon curry powder
• 1 tablespoon Greek yogurt
• 3 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 3 tablespoons butter (divided)
• 6 garlic cloves (minced)
• 1 medium onion (diced)
• 1 15-ounce can tomato sauce
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 1 teaspoon salt (adjust to taste)
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• 2 cups heavy cream
• ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional for heat)
• 1 teaspoon garam masala
• ½ teaspoon curry powder
• ¼ cup freshly chopped parsley (optional, for garnish)
• Naan bread
• Steamed rice

Full ingredient list with measurements is provided in the printable recipe card below.

How to Make the Recipe

Now, let’s dive into the cooking process! Follow these simple steps to create your homemade butter chicken:

1. In a large bowl, combine the chicken chunks with salt, garlic powder, sweet paprika, curry powder, and Greek yogurt. Mix well and let it marinate for about 10 minutes.
2. In a large skillet, heat the vegetable oil and 1 tablespoon of butter over medium heat. Once hot, add the marinated chicken and cook until browned, about 5-7 minutes. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
3. In the same skillet, add the remaining butter and sauté the minced garlic and diced onion until they are soft and fragrant, about 3-4 minutes.
4. Stir in the tomato sauce, sugar, salt, black pepper, heavy cream, cayenne pepper (if using), garam masala, and the additional curry powder. Bring the mixture to a simmer.
5. Add the cooked chicken back into the skillet and let it simmer in the sauce for another 5-10 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together.
6. Garnish with freshly chopped parsley before serving.

Pro Tips for Making the Recipe

Here are some of my favorite tips to ensure your butter chicken turns out perfectly:

• For a richer flavor, let the chicken marinate for longer if you have the time.
• Feel free to adjust the spices according to your family’s preferences. If you have kids, you might want to skip the cayenne pepper!
• Pair this dish with easy pasta recipes for a fun twist on traditional sides.
• Don’t forget to serve it with warm naan bread to soak up that delicious sauce!

How to Serve

This butter chicken is best served hot, straight from the skillet. I love to serve it with:

• Warm naan bread for dipping.
• Steamed rice to soak up the creamy sauce.
• A side of sautéed vegetables for a balanced meal.

It’s a fantastic option for family of four dinner ideas or even for dinners to make for boyfriend that will surely impress!

Make Ahead and Storage

If you want to prepare this dish in advance, you can marinate the chicken a day ahead and store it in the refrigerator. The flavors will deepen, making it even more delicious! Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stove or in the microwave.

For those busy weeknights when you need easy weeknight dinners for one, this butter chicken is a great option. Just make a small batch and enjoy!

So, what are you waiting for? Grab your ingredients and let’s get cooking! And if you’re in the mood for something sweet afterward, check out my Decadent Chocolate Cake or the Ultimate Chocolate Indulgence Cake for a delightful dessert!

Quick & Easy Homemade Butter Chicken Recipe

A flavorful and creamy butter chicken made quickly at home, perfect for a satisfying meal.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 30 minutes mins

Total Time 40 minutes mins

Servings: 4 servings

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: Indian

Calories: 650

Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients

  

Protein

• 1.5 pounds skinless (boneless chicken thighs, cut into bite-sized chunks)
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon sweet paprika
• 0.5 teaspoon curry powder
• 1 tablespoon Greek yogurt

Cooking Base

• 3 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 3 tablespoons butter (divided)
• 6 cloves garlic (minced)
• 1 medium onion (diced)
• 1 15-ounce can tomato sauce
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 1 teaspoon salt (adjust to taste)
• 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
• 2 cups heavy cream
• 0.5 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional for heat)
• 1 teaspoon garam masala
• 0.25 cup freshly chopped parsley (optional, for garnish)

Sides

• Naan bread
• Steamed rice

Method

 

1. Marinate chicken with salt, garlic powder, paprika, curry powder, and yogurt.
2. Sauté onions and garlic in butter and oil until fragrant.
3. Add tomato sauce, sugar, salt, pepper, and spices; simmer for 10 minutes.
4. Add chicken and cook until done, then stir in heavy cream and simmer for 10 minutes.
5. Garnish with parsley and serve with naan and steamed rice.

Notes

Adjust spice levels to taste and enjoy!