Butter Chicken Recipe – Creamy, Rich, and Easy to Make at Home

butter chicken recipe

Butter chicken is one of the most loved dishes in Indian cooking.

It’s creamy, flavorful, and has just the right amount of spice.

The chicken is soft and juicy, and the sauce is rich with butter, cream, and tomato.

This dish is often served with rice or naan bread and is perfect for lunch, dinner, or a special meal with family.

Even though it tastes like something from a restaurant, butter chicken is actually simple to make at home.

You don’t need a tandoor or any fancy equipment.

With a few basic ingredients and easy steps, you can make this delicious dish in your own kitchen.

The best part about butter chicken is that it works for everyone.

It’s not too spicy, so kids can enjoy it too.

You can also adjust the ingredients to suit your taste—more spice, less cream, or even a vegetarian version with paneer.

Let’s begin with the ingredients you’ll need.

Start Making Ingredients

Ingredients

For the Chicken Marinade:

  • 500g (about 1 lb) boneless chicken (cut into small pieces)
  • ½ cup plain yogurt
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon garlic paste
  • 1 teaspoon ginger paste
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder (use less if you want it mild)
  • ½ teaspoon turmeric
  • ½ teaspoon salt

For the Butter Chicken Sauce:

  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 1 tablespoon oil
  • 1 medium onion (chopped)
  • 2 garlic cloves (minced)
  • 1 teaspoon ginger paste
  • 1½ teaspoons garam masala
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon sugar
  • 1 cup tomato puree or blended tomatoes
  • ½ cup heavy cream (or milk for a lighter version)
  • Salt to taste
  • Fresh coriander or parsley (optional for garnish)

Step By Step Instructions

Step 1: Marinate the Chicken

The first step is to marinate the chicken.

In a large bowl, add the chicken pieces, yogurt, lemon juice, garlic paste, ginger paste, chili powder, turmeric, and salt.

Mix everything well so the chicken is fully coated.

Cover the bowl and place it in the fridge. Let the chicken marinate for at least 30 minutes.

If you have more time, 2–3 hours is even better.

This makes the chicken tender and full of flavor.

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Step 2: Cook the Chicken

After marinating, take the chicken out of the fridge.

You can cook it in a pan, on a grill, or in the oven.

For this recipe, we’ll use a pan.

Heat a little oil in a non-stick pan on medium heat.

Add the chicken pieces and cook them for 6 to 8 minutes, turning them so all sides are browned.

The chicken doesn’t need to be fully cooked yet, as it will finish cooking in the sauce.

Once it looks golden and slightly charred, remove it from the pan and set it aside.

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Step 3: Start the Sauce

Now let’s make the butter chicken sauce.

In the same pan, melt the butter with a little oil to keep it from burning.

Add the chopped onion and cook it for 4 to 5 minutes until soft and light golden.

Next, add the minced garlic and ginger paste. Stir for about 30 seconds until it smells nice.

Then add the garam masala, chili powder, and sugar.

Stir everything together and cook for another minute.

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Step 4: Add the Tomatoes

Now pour in the tomato puree.

Stir the sauce well and let it cook on low heat for about 10 minutes.

This helps the tomatoes lose their raw taste and makes the sauce thicker.

You can taste the sauce at this stage. If it’s too tangy, add a little more sugar.

If it’s too thick, add a splash of water.

Keep stirring every few minutes so it doesn’t stick to the pan.

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Step 5: Add Cream and Chicken

Once the tomato sauce is ready, lower the heat and add the cream.

Stir it in slowly to make the sauce smooth and creamy.

You’ll see it turn into a rich orange color.

Now add the cooked chicken back into the pan.

Stir everything together so the chicken is covered in the creamy sauce.

Let it simmer on low heat for another 8 to 10 minutes.

This will cook the chicken fully and mix all the flavors.

If the sauce gets too thick, you can add a bit of water or milk.

If it’s too thin, let it simmer uncovered for a few more minutes.

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Step 6: Serve and Enjoy

Your butter chicken is ready!

Sprinkle some chopped coriander or parsley on top if you like.

Serve it hot with soft naan bread, plain rice, or jeera rice (rice with cumin seeds).

You can also serve it with a small salad or yogurt on the side to balance the rich flavors.

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Why Butter Chicken Is So Popular

Butter chicken is loved by people all over the world because of its rich, creamy taste and gentle spices.

It’s not too hot, so it’s a good dish for children and people who don’t like spicy food.

It also goes well with many sides, making it a complete and filling meal.

The sauce is what makes butter chicken special.

It’s smooth, buttery, and full of flavor.

And it’s very flexible—you can add more cream if you like it richer, or use less butter for a lighter version.

This dish is also great for leftovers.

The flavors often taste even better the next day after everything has had more time to mix together.

Storing and Reheating

If you have leftovers, let them cool completely before placing them in an airtight container.

Store them in the fridge for up to 3 days.

When you’re ready to eat, reheat the butter chicken in a pan over low heat or in the microwave.

Add a little splash of water or milk if the sauce has thickened too much.

Butter chicken can also be frozen for up to a month.

Just thaw it in the fridge overnight and reheat the same way.

Final Thoughts

Butter chicken is one of those meals that always makes people happy.

It’s creamy, comforting, and full of flavor.

And even though it tastes like something from a fancy restaurant, it’s easy enough to make at home.

With this recipe, you don’t need special tools or skills—just simple ingredients and a little time.

Once you try it, you’ll want to make it again and again.

So the next time you’re looking for a warm, tasty meal that everyone will love, try making butter chicken.

You’ll be surprised how easy and delicious it is.