Quick & Easy Homemade Butter Chicken Recipe

Name: Quick & Easy Homemade Butter Chicken
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 40 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; Steamed rice

Jessica Baker

Update : December 22, 2025

Delicious homemade butter chicken served with rice and naan bread

Why Make This Recipe

Homemade butter chicken is a beloved dish that brings the flavors of India right to your kitchen. It’s a perfect combination of tender chicken and a rich, creamy sauce that everyone will enjoy. Plus, making it at home means you can control the ingredients and adjust the spice level to your liking. This quick and easy version takes less time than you might think, making it perfect for a busy weeknight dinner.

How to Make Quick & Easy Homemade Butter Chicken

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

Directions:

In a bowl, mix the chicken with salt, garlic powder, paprika, curry powder, and Greek yogurt. Cover and refrigerate for at least 15 minutes.
In a large skillet, heat vegetable oil and 1 tablespoon of butter. Sauté garlic and onion until fragrant.
Add tomato sauce, sugar, salt, black pepper, heavy cream, cayenne pepper, garam masala, and curry powder to the skillet. Simmer for a few minutes.
In another pan, cook the marinated chicken until it is browned and fully cooked through.
Add the cooked chicken to the sauce. Stir in the remaining butter and simmer for a few more minutes.
Garnish with chopped parsley and serve hot with naan bread and steamed rice.

How to Serve Quick & Easy Homemade Butter Chicken

Serve your homemade butter chicken hot. It pairs perfectly with warm naan bread for dipping and steamed rice to soak up the delicious sauce. You can place the chicken and sauce on top of the rice or serve it on the side for a delightful meal.

How to Store Quick & Easy Homemade Butter Chicken

If you have leftovers, let the butter chicken cool completely. Store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, simply warm it in a skillet or microwave until heated through. You can also freeze it for up to one month; just make sure to use a freezer-safe container.

Tips to Make Quick & Easy Homemade Butter Chicken

For extra flavor, marinate the chicken for longer than 15 minutes, if you have time.
Adjust the cayenne pepper to control the heat; leave it out for a milder dish.
Use fresh ingredients like garlic and onions for the best taste.
If you don’t have Greek yogurt, you can substitute it with regular plain yogurt.

Variation

For a vegetarian version, you can replace the chicken with paneer or cauliflower. Simply cook them until tender and follow the rest of the recipe as is.

FAQs

1. Can I use chicken breast instead of thighs?
Yes, you can use skinless boneless chicken breasts, but thighs tend to be juicier and more flavorful.

2. Is it possible to make this dish in advance?
Absolutely! You can make the butter chicken a day ahead and store it in the fridge. Reheat before serving for the best flavor.

3. Can I make this dish dairy-free?
Yes, you can replace the butter and heavy cream with coconut milk and dairy-free butter alternatives.