There’s nothing like the comfort of a warm, creamy bowl of Quick & Easy Homemade Butter Chicken Recipe after a long day. The velvety sauce, tender bites of chicken, and cozy spices wrap around you like a hug. And the best part? You can make it in under 45 minutes right at home with ingredients you already love
Table of Contents
Why This Quick & Easy Homemade Butter Chicken Recipe Works
This is your go-to for weeknight wins and weekend dinner parties. It’s fuss-free, packed with bold flavor, and ready in one skillet. The chicken is juicy from a quick yogurt marinade and the sauce? Oh, it’s dreamy creamy with just the right kick. You can even pair it with this5 Absolutely Delicious Gluten-Free Dinner Recipes to Try Tonight if you’re feeling indulgent
Ingredients You’ll Need
Let’s talk about what you need for this Quick & Easy Homemade Butter Chicken Recipe everything simple, flavorful, and pantry-friendly
- 1 ½ pounds skinless boneless chicken thighs, chopped
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon sweet paprika
- ½ teaspoon curry powder
- 1 tablespoon Greek yogurt
For the Sauce
- 3 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 3 tablespoons butter, divided
- 6 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 1 can (15 oz) tomato sauce
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 2 cups heavy cream
- ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
- 1 teaspoon garam masala
- ½ teaspoon curry powder
- ¼ cup chopped fresh parsley (optional for garnish)
To Serve
- Steamed rice or Easy Christmas Eggnog Muffins
- Naan bread
How to Make It
1. Marinate the chicken
In a medium bowl, toss the chicken with salt, garlic powder, paprika, curry powder, and yogurt. Let it sit for at least 15 minutes while you prep the rest. The yogurt helps tenderize the chicken and adds a subtle tang
2. Sear the chicken
In a large skillet, heat the oil over medium-high. Add the marinated chicken and cook for 8 10 minutes until golden and cooked through. Set the chicken aside and keep that flavorful oil in the pan
3. Sauté aromatics
Lower the heat to medium. Add a tablespoon of butter, then the minced garlic and onion. Stir often and cook until the onion softens and smells sweet
4. Build the sauce
Add tomato sauce and sugar. Let it simmer gently for a few minutes. Return the chicken to the pan and stir in the cream. Watch the sauce turn that rich orange color we all know and love
5. Spice and simmer
Sprinkle in cayenne (if you like it spicy), garam masala, curry powder, and black pepper. Let everything simmer together on low for 10 minutes so the flavors marry beautifully
6. Finish with butter
Drop in the remaining cold butter and stir until it melts into the sauce. That glossy, restaurant-style finish is just magic. Garnish with parsley if you’re feeling fancy
Substitutions and Swaps
You can totally make this Quick & Easy Homemade Butter Chicken Recipe work with what you’ve got
- Swap chicken thighs with breasts, turkey, or even tofu
- Use sour cream or coconut yogurt instead of Greek yogurt
- Coconut cream or half-and-half work well in place of heavy cream
- No fresh garlic? Use jarred or powdered
- No tomato sauce? Crushed tomatoes or tomato paste with a little water will do the trick
Tools You’ll Need
To make this Quick & Easy Homemade Butter Chicken Recipe, all you need is one good skillet and a sharp knife
- Large skillet or sauté pan
- Sharp knife
- Cutting board
- Wooden spoon or spatula
Storage Tips
This Quick & Easy Homemade Butter Chicken Recipe stores beautifully for make-ahead meals or freezer dinners
- Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days
- Reheat gently on the stove with a splash of cream or water
- You can freeze it for up to 2 months. Just thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat low and slow
Best Butter Chicken Tips
- Let the chicken marinate longer for deeper flavor up to 4 hours if you’ve got the time
- Toast the spices lightly in oil before adding liquids to bring out bold aroma
- Always finish with cold butter for that silky texture and rich taste
- Pair it with something cozy like this one pot recipesif you’re feeding a crowd
FAQ About This Quick & Easy Homemade Butter Chicken Recipe
Can I use chicken breasts instead of thighs?
Totally. Thighs are juicier, but breasts work fine. Just don’t overcook them
What can I use instead of heavy cream?
Coconut cream or even full-fat yogurt will work. The flavor will be different but still so good
Is it spicy?
Not really. It has warm spices but you control the heat. Add cayenne if you like it hot, or leave it out for mild comfort
Try These With It
You’ve got your main dish, now finish the meal
- Easy Carrot Loaf Cake for dessert
- Steamed rice or Jeera Rice
- Buttery garlic naan (store-bought or homemade)
Give This Quick & Easy Homemade Butter Chicken Recipe a Try Tonight
Your skillet’s waiting. This Quick & Easy Homemade Butter Chicken Recipe is comfort food at its finest. Warm, creamy, and better than takeout. Let me know how it turns out in the comments or pin it for later
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Quick & Easy Homemade Butter Chicken
Equipment
- Large skillet or sauté pan Heavy-bottomed for even heat
- Sharp knife For chopping chicken and aromatics
- cutting board
- Wooden spoon or spatula For stirring sauce
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs, chopped
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon sweet paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon curry powder
- 1 tablespoon Greek yogurt
- 3 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 3 tablespoons butter, divided
- 6 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 1 can (15 oz) tomato sauce
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
- 1 teaspoon garam masala
- 1/2 teaspoon curry powder
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley (optional for garnish)
- Steamed rice or naan bread, for serving
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, toss the chicken with salt, garlic powder, paprika, curry powder, and yogurt. Let it sit for at least 15 minutes while you prep the rest.
- In a large skillet, heat the oil over medium-high. Add the marinated chicken and cook for 8–10 minutes until golden and cooked through. Set aside.
- Lower heat to medium. Add a tablespoon of butter, garlic, and onion. Sauté until the onion softens and smells sweet.
- Add tomato sauce and sugar. Let it simmer gently for a few minutes. Return chicken to the pan and stir in cream.
- Sprinkle in cayenne, garam masala, curry powder, and black pepper. Simmer on low for 10 minutes to blend flavors.
- Drop in remaining cold butter and stir until melted. Garnish with parsley if desired.