Quick & Easy Homemade Butter Chicken – Delicious Recipe!

Quick Easy Homemade Butter Chicken Recipe – doesn’t that just sound like pure comfort? Imagine the rich, velvety texture, the sweet and tangy tomato gravy, and the melt-in-your-mouth tender chicken infused with aromatic spices. It’s a dish that tantalizes the senses and leaves you utterly satisfied. While Butter Chicken, or Murgh Makhani as it’s known in India, has humble beginnings in Delhi during the mid-20th century, emerging from the innovative kitchens of Moti Mahal, its global appeal is anything but humble. I know many of you might think preparing this iconic Indian curry at home is a daunting task, reserved for restaurant visits, but I’m here to tell you that’s simply not true! People adore this dish for its incredible depth of flavor, its luscious creaminess, and the way it perfectly balances warmth and spice without being overly hot. And the best part? My Quick Easy Homemade Butter Chicken Recipe truly lives up to its name, promising all that restaurant-quality deliciousness without spending hours in the kitchen. Get ready to impress yourself and your loved ones with this culinary masterpiece!

this Recipe

Ingredients:

• For the Chicken Marinade:
  • 1.5 lbs (approximately 680g) boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breast, cut into 1-inch cubes (thighs are recommended for juiciness)
  • 1/2 cup plain full-fat yogurt (Greek yogurt also works, but thin it slightly with water if very thick)
  • 1 tablespoon fresh ginger-garlic paste (equal parts grated ginger and garlic)
  • 1 teaspoon red chili powder (Kashmiri chili powder for color and mild heat, or regular for more kick)
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground turmeric
  • 1 teaspoon garam masala
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt, or to taste
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
  • 1 tablespoon neutral cooking oil (for searing the chicken)
• For the Quick Easy Homemade Butter Chicken Sauce:
  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided
  • 1 large yellow onion, finely chopped
  • 1.5 tablespoons fresh ginger-garlic paste
  • 1 (28-ounce) can crushed tomatoes or tomato puree (about 3 cups)
  • 1/4 cup raw cashews, soaked in hot water for 15-20 minutes, then drained (or 2 tablespoons cashew paste)
  • 1 teaspoon red chili powder (Kashmiri for color, regular for heat)
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground turmeric
  • 1 teaspoon garam masala
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt, or to taste
  • 1 tablespoon granulated sugar (to balance acidity)
  • 1/2 cup water or chicken broth (for adjusting sauce consistency)
  • 1 tablespoon kasoori methi (dried fenugreek leaves), crushed between your palms
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream, plus extra for garnish
• For Garnish:
  • Fresh cilantro, chopped
  • Extra swirl of heavy cream

Marinating and Preparing the Chicken

1. Prepare the Chicken: Start by patting your chicken pieces completely dry with paper towels. This crucial step helps ensure a beautiful sear and prevents the chicken from steaming. Cut the boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts into uniform 1-inch cubes. Uniformity is key here for even cooking, which means every piece will be perfectly tender and juicy when we combine it with our luscious sauce.
2. Mix the Marinade: In a medium-sized bowl, combine the plain full-fat yogurt, ginger-garlic paste, red chili powder, ground turmeric, garam masala, salt, and fresh lemon juice. Whisk everything together until you have a smooth, well-combined marinade. This vibrant blend of spices and yogurt is what gives our “Quick Easy Homemade Butter Chicken Recipe” its signature depth of flavor and tender texture. The acidity from the yogurt and lemon juice works wonders to break down the chicken fibers, resulting in incredibly succulent pieces.
3. Marinate the Chicken: Add the cubed chicken to the marinade bowl, ensuring every piece is thoroughly coated. Use your hands to really get in there and massage the marinade into the chicken. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes. For the absolute best flavor and tender outcome, I highly recommend marinating for 2-4 hours, or even overnight if you have the time. The longer it marinates, the more flavor the chicken will absorb, contributing significantly to the overall deliciousness of your butter chicken.
4. Cook the Marinated Chicken: Once the chicken has marinated sufficiently, heat 1 tablespoon of neutral cooking oil in a large skillet or non-stick pan over medium-high heat. Once the oil is shimmering, add the marinated chicken in a single layer, making sure not to overcrowd the pan. You might need to do this in two batches to avoid dropping the pan temperature, which would cause the chicken to steam instead of sear. Cook for 3-5 minutes per side, or until the chicken is beautifully golden brown and mostly cooked through. It doesn’t need to be cooked 100% through at this stage, as it will finish cooking in the sauce. Remove the cooked chicken from the pan and set it aside.

Preparing the Rich and Creamy Butter Chicken Sauce

5. Sauté Aromatics: In the same skillet (no need to clean it, those browned bits add extra flavor!), melt 2 tablespoons of unsalted butter over medium heat. Once the butter has melted and is gently bubbling, add the finely chopped yellow onion. Sauté the onion for about 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it becomes soft, translucent, and turns a lovely golden-brown color. Don’t rush this step! Properly caramelizing the onions forms the sweet and savory foundation of our “Quick Easy Homemade Butter Chicken Recipe” sauce. Once the onions are ready, add the 1.5 tablespoons of ginger-garlic paste. Sauté for another minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn the paste, as this can lead to a bitter taste.
6. Cook the Tomatoes: Pour in the entire 28-ounce can of crushed tomatoes or tomato puree. Stir well to combine with the onions and ginger-garlic. Increase the heat slightly to medium-high and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer. Continue to cook the tomatoes for 10-15 minutes, stirring frequently, until the sauce thickens and the oil starts to separate and collect at the edges. This is another critical step; cooking out the raw taste of the tomatoes is essential for a rich, well-rounded sauce. If your tomatoes taste raw, your final butter chicken will, too.
7. Add Spices and Cashews: Once the tomatoes are cooked down, reduce the heat to low. Stir in the red chili powder, ground turmeric, garam masala, ground cumin, and salt. Cook the spices for just 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly, allowing them to bloom in the hot sauce. This process unlocks their full aromatic potential. Now, add the soaked and drained raw cashews (or cashew paste). If you’re using whole cashews, they will soften as they cook and blend seamlessly into the sauce later, contributing to that luxurious creaminess. If using paste, stir it in thoroughly.
8. Simmer and Develop Flavors: Add 1 tablespoon of granulated sugar to the sauce. This helps to balance the acidity of the tomatoes and enhances the overall sweetness and complexity of the sauce without making it overtly sweet. Pour in about 1/2 cup of water or chicken broth. This will help loosen the sauce and allow it to simmer gently without becoming too thick too quickly. Bring the sauce to a low simmer, cover the skillet partially, and let it cook for another 10-15 minutes. This simmering time allows all the flavors to meld beautifully. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
9. Blend for Smoothness (Optional but Recommended): For that restaurant-quality, silky-smooth butter chicken sauce, transfer the hot sauce mixture very carefully to a blender. Blend on high speed until completely smooth. If you desire an even finer texture, you can pass the blended sauce through a fine-mesh sieve, using a spatula to push it through. This step is what truly defines a “Quick Easy Homemade Butter Chicken Recipe” as a gourmet experience at home, creating an incredibly velvety mouthfeel. Return the smooth sauce to the skillet. If you prefer a more rustic texture, you can skip blending, but I highly recommend it for the authentic butter chicken experience.

Combining and Finishing the Dish

10. Combine Chicken and Sauce: Add the previously seared chicken pieces and any accumulated juices back into the smooth, simmering sauce. Stir gently to ensure the chicken is fully coated.
11. Introduce Kasoori Methi: Take the 1 tablespoon of kasoori methi (dried fenugreek leaves) and crush them between your palms directly over the skillet. This action releases their unique, slightly bitter, and aromatic flavor, which is absolutely essential for authentic butter chicken. Stir the crushed fenugreek leaves into the sauce. This fragrant herb is a hallmark of Indian cuisine and truly elevates the dish.
12. Final Creaminess and Butter: Reduce the heat to its lowest setting. Pour in the 1/2 cup of heavy cream and add the remaining 1 tablespoon of unsalted butter (or more, if you like!). Stir gently until the cream and butter are fully incorporated and the sauce turns a beautiful, pale orange hue. Do not allow the sauce to boil vigorously after adding the cream, as it can sometimes curdle. Just a gentle simmer is perfect.
13. Adjust Seasoning and Serve: Taste the butter chicken and adjust salt, sugar, or red chili powder as needed. You might find it benefits from a pinch more salt to bring out all the flavors, or a dash more sugar to perfectly balance the acidity. Once you’re happy with the taste, remove the skillet from the heat.
14. Garnish and Enjoy: Ladle your glorious “Quick Easy Homemade Butter Chicken Recipe” into serving bowls. Garnish generously with freshly chopped cilantro and a final swirl of heavy cream for that classic, elegant touch. Serve immediately with warm naan bread, fluffy basmati rice, or even roti to soak up every last drop of the exquisite sauce. This dish is perfect for a comforting weeknight meal or for impressing guests with minimal fuss.

Conclusion:

So there you have it! We’ve journeyed through the steps of creating a truly magnificent dish, and I genuinely hope you’re as excited about it as I am. This isn’t just another meal; it’s an experience waiting to unfold in your kitchen. What truly sets this recipe apart, making it an absolute must-try for everyone from novice cooks to seasoned home chefs, is its extraordinary blend of rich, restaurant-quality flavor with an undeniably approachable process. You might think that achieving such depth and warmth, that perfect balance of creamy tomato and aromatic spices, would require hours of intricate work. But that’s precisely where this recipe shines! It demystifies what can often seem like a complex culinary endeavor, breaking it down into manageable, joyful steps. Imagine the delight of serving up a dish that tastes like it came straight from your favorite Indian restaurant, yet knowing you crafted it with your own hands, with fresh ingredients, right in your very own home. It’s comforting, it’s vibrant, and most importantly, it consistently delivers a wow-factor that will impress everyone at your table. This recipe proves that exceptional food doesn’t have to be intimidating; it can be incredibly straightforward and deeply satisfying to prepare. Trust me, the aroma alone will have your family gathering in the kitchen!

Serving Suggestions & Creative Variations:

Now, once you’ve perfected this culinary masterpiece, the fun doesn’t stop there! How you choose to serve and enjoy your homemade butter chicken can elevate the entire dining experience. For a truly authentic and satisfying meal, I highly recommend pairing it with a fluffy mound of perfectly cooked basmati rice. The delicate grains are excellent for soaking up every last drop of that glorious, spiced sauce. Alternatively, warm, soft naan bread, brushed with a little melted butter and perhaps a sprinkle of fresh cilantro, is an absolute dream for scooping and wiping the plate clean – my personal favorite way to enjoy it! If you prefer something lighter, a simple roti or even a crisp green salad dressed with a light vinaigrette can be a wonderful accompaniment to cut through the richness. Don’t forget a side of cooling raita, that refreshing yogurt and cucumber dip, to balance the spices beautifully. A chilled glass of mango lassi or even a simple sparkling water with a squeeze of lime can complete the meal perfectly.

But what if you’re feeling adventurous or have specific dietary needs? This recipe is incredibly versatile! For my vegetarian friends, feel free to substitute the chicken entirely with paneer (Indian cottage cheese), cut into cubes and pan-fried until golden, or even robust chickpeas, adding them towards the end to absorb all those wonderful flavors. If you’re looking to reduce dairy, you can experiment with full-fat coconut milk in place of cream for a slightly different, yet equally delicious, creamy consistency – it adds a lovely subtle sweetness and tropical hint. For those who love a bit more heat, a finely chopped green chili or an extra pinch of cayenne pepper added with the spices will definitely turn up the temperature. And if you’re serving a crowd with varying spice preferences, you can always make it mild and offer chili flakes or a spicy chutney on the side. Garnish generously with fresh cilantro and a swirl of cream or a squeeze of lime just before serving for that final touch of elegance and freshness. Remember, cooking is about personalizing the experience, so don’t be afraid to make this dish truly your own!

Your Turn to Create and Share!

I genuinely believe that once you try this recipe, it will quickly become a cherished staple in your cooking repertoire. There’s an immense satisfaction that comes from creating something so incredibly flavorful and comforting with your own hands. So, please, don’t hesitate! Gather your ingredients, put on some great music, and dive into the delightful process of making your very own batch of this incredible dish. I promise you won’t regret it. This Quick Easy Homemade Butter Chicken Recipe is more than just instructions; it’s an invitation to bring warmth, flavor, and a touch of culinary magic into your home. Once you’ve experienced the joy of preparing and tasting it, I would absolutely love to hear about it! Please come back and share your experiences in the comments below. Did you try a new variation? What did your family think? Your insights and stories are what make our cooking community so vibrant and inspiring. Take that leap, trust the process, and prepare to fall in love with your new favorite homemade meal. Happy cooking!