Description
This quick and easy homemade butter chicken recipe features tender chicken thighs marinated in yogurt and spices, seared to perfection, then simmered in a creamy tomato sauce. Ready in under 2 hours, it’s a flavorful and comforting dish perfect for weeknight dinners served with naan or basmati rice.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Marinade
- 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
Cook and Sauce
- 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
Instructions
- Marinate Chicken: In a bowl, combine chicken pieces with 1 teaspoon salt, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon sweet paprika, ½ teaspoon curry powder, and 1 tablespoon Greek yogurt. Mix well and marinate in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes to tenderize and infuse the chicken with flavor.
- Cook Chicken: Heat 1.5 tablespoons of butter and 3 tablespoons vegetable oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the marinated chicken in batches and sear each piece for 3-4 minutes per side until lightly browned but not fully cooked. Remove the chicken and set aside to maintain tenderness.
- Sauté Aromatics: Using the same pot, add the diced onion and cook over medium heat until soft and translucent, about 5-7 minutes. Add minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant, building the base of the flavorful sauce.
- Simmer Sauce: Stir in the 15-ounce can of tomato sauce, 1 teaspoon sugar, 1 teaspoon salt (adjust to taste), and ½ teaspoon black pepper. Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer, allowing the flavors to meld and the sauce to thicken slightly.
- Combine & Finish: Return the seared chicken to the pot. Stir in 2 cups of heavy cream and the remaining 1.5 tablespoons of butter until melted and well combined. Let it simmer gently for 10-15 minutes, allowing the chicken to fully cook and the sauce to develop a rich, creamy texture.
- Serve: Taste and adjust seasoning as needed. Serve hot, accompanied by warm naan bread, roti, or steamed basmati rice for a delicious and satisfying meal.
Notes
- Marinating the chicken for at least 30 minutes enhances flavor and tenderness, but longer marination up to 4 hours can deepen taste.
- Using boneless, skinless chicken thighs ensures juiciness and faster cooking.
- Adjust the spices and sugar according to your preferred flavor balance.
- For a lighter version, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half, but the sauce will be less rich.
- Serve with fresh cilantro garnish for added color and fresh flavor.
- Prep Time: 40 minutes
- Cook Time: 55 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Indian
