Quick & Easy Homemade Butter Chicken Recipe

Name: Quick & Easy Homemade Butter Chicken
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 55 min
Cuisine: Indian
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 (for serving); Steamed rice (for serving)

Jessica Baker

Update : October 10, 2025

Delicious homemade butter chicken served with naan and rice

Why Make This Recipe

Homemade butter chicken is a comforting and flavorful dish that many people love. It’s rich, creamy, and a little spicy, making it a great meal for any day of the week. This Quick & Easy Homemade Butter Chicken Recipe is perfect for those who want a delicious meal without spending all day in the kitchen.

Making butter chicken at home allows you to control the ingredients. You can adjust the spice level to suit your taste. Plus, it’s a fantastic way to impress your family and friends with your cooking skills. This dish pairs perfectly with naan bread or steamed rice, making it a complete meal that everyone will enjoy.

How to Make Quick & Easy Homemade Butter Chicken

Making butter chicken may seem complicated, but it is quite simple once you break it down into easy steps. Here is how you can create this mouthwatering dish in your own kitchen.

Ingredients

To make Quick & Easy Homemade Butter Chicken, you will 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 (for serving)
Steamed rice (for serving)

Directions

Marinate the Chicken

Start by marinating the chicken. In a bowl, combine the chicken chunks with 1 teaspoon of salt, 1 teaspoon of garlic powder, 1 teaspoon of sweet paprika, ½ teaspoon of curry powder, and 1 tablespoon of Greek yogurt. Mix everything well to coat the chicken evenly.

Cover the bowl and let the chicken marinate in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes. This will help the chicken absorb all those delicious flavors.

Cook the Chicken

After marinating, it’s time to cook the chicken. Heat 3 tablespoons of vegetable oil in a large pan over medium-high heat. Once the oil is hot, add the marinated chicken to the pan. Make sure not to overcrowd the pan; you may need to cook in batches.

Cook the chicken for about 5-7 minutes, turning occasionally until it is browned on all sides and cooked through. Remove the chicken from the pan and set it aside.

Prepare the Sauce Base

In the same pan, add 3 tablespoons of butter. Once the butter has melted, add 6 minced garlic cloves and 1 medium diced onion. Cook them for about 2-3 minutes until the onion becomes soft and translucent.

Build the Sauce

Next, add the 15-ounce can of tomato sauce to the pan. Stir well to combine. Add 1 teaspoon of sugar, an additional 1 teaspoon of salt (or to your taste), and ½ teaspoon of black pepper. Mix everything together to create a rich sauce.

Season and Simmer

Allow the sauce to simmer for about 10 minutes, so the flavors can meld together. After simmering, lower the heat and slowly stir in 2 cups of heavy cream. If you like a little extra heat, you can add ½ teaspoon of cayenne pepper at this point. Stir well to mix everything.

Finish with Butter

Add the cooked chicken back into the pan and mix it with the sauce. Finally, sprinkle in 1 teaspoon of garam masala and ½ teaspoon of curry powder. Let everything simmer together for another 5-10 minutes. This will ensure that the chicken is fully coated with the sauce and warmed through.

Serve and Enjoy

Once everything is cooked, your homemade butter chicken is ready to serve! You can garnish it with ¼ cup of freshly chopped parsley if you like. Serve the butter chicken hot with naan bread or steamed rice for a delicious meal. Enjoy the creamy sauce, the tender chicken, and all the wonderful flavors!

How to Serve Quick & Easy Homemade Butter Chicken

When serving Quick & Easy Homemade Butter Chicken, you have several options. The most popular way is to serve it with warm naan bread. Butter chicken goes perfectly with naan, allowing you to scoop up the delicious sauce easily. You can also serve it with steamed rice, which balances the rich and creamy flavor of the chicken.

You might also consider offering some side dishes like a fresh salad or a yogurt-based raita to cool down the spicy flavors of the dish. This adds freshness and enhances the overall meal.

How to Store Quick & Easy Homemade Butter Chicken

If you have leftovers, you can store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator. The butter chicken will last for 3-4 days in the fridge.

To reheat, simply warm it over low heat on the stovetop or in the microwave. Stir occasionally to prevent it from sticking to the bottom of the pan. Adding a splash of cream or water while reheating can help revive its creamy texture.

If you want to store it for a longer time, you can freeze the butter chicken. Place it in a freezer-safe container and store it in the freezer for up to 3 months. Thaw it overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

Tips to Make Quick & Easy Homemade Butter Chicken

Use Bone-In Chicken: For even more flavor, consider using bone-in chicken thighs instead of boneless. Just be sure to cook them for a bit longer until they reach the safe temperature.
Adjust the Heat: If you prefer less heat, skip the cayenne pepper. Conversely, if you like it spicy, feel free to add more cayenne or even some chopped fresh chilies.
Add Vegetables: For a healthier version, you can add vegetables like bell peppers or spinach to the sauce. They will cook quickly and add more nutrition.
Fresh Spices: If possible, use freshly ground spices instead of pre-ground ones. This will give your butter chicken an even more robust flavor.
Don’t Skip the Marination: Marinating the chicken is a crucial step. It infuses more flavor into the meat, making the dish tastier overall.

Variation

While this recipe is delicious on its own, you can make some variations if you’d like. One popular variation is to make a Butter Chicken Curry by adding more spices and without heavy cream. You can use coconut milk for a lighter version as well.

Another option would be to make it a Butter Chicken Pizza by using the sauce and chicken as toppings on a pizza crust with mozzarella cheese. This is a fun way to use the flavors of butter chicken in a different dish.

FAQs

1. Can I use chicken breast instead of thighs?
Yes, you can use chicken breast if you prefer. Just make sure to cook them until they are tender and fully cooked through.

2. Can I make this dish ahead of time?
Absolutely! You can make butter chicken a day ahead. It actually tastes better the next day as the flavors continue to develop.

3. Is butter chicken gluten-free?
Yes, this recipe is naturally gluten-free. Just make sure to use gluten-free naan bread if you are serving it with naan.

Enjoy making this simple and tasty Quick & Easy Homemade Butter Chicken recipe, and relish the delightful flavors at home!