Butter Chicken is a rich and comforting dish featuring tender chicken thighs simmered in a creamy, spiced tomato sauce. It’s a restaurant-style favorite made easily at home, packed with warm Indian flavors and perfect for spooning over fluffy rice or scooping up with naan.
Butter Chicken is a creamy, spiced classic with tender marinated chicken, aromatic spices, and a velvety tomato-cream sauce that’s perfect with rice or naan.
Why This Butter Chicken Is the Best
- Juicy Chicken Thighs: Boneless chicken thighs are the star—they stay moist, flavorful, and tender in the buttery sauce.
- Deep, Balanced Flavor: A blend of garam masala, garlic, ginger, cumin, and paprika gives it a warm, aromatic base that’s bold without being overwhelming.
- Creamy Tomato Sauce: The sauce is rich and velvety, made with crushed tomatoes, cream, and butter for that signature silky texture.
- Better Than Takeout: It’s full of authentic flavor but made with everyday ingredients, so you can enjoy it fresh at home any night of the week.
- Perfectly Spiced, Not Overwhelming: Mild enough for those who don’t like too much heat, but still full of depth and richness.
This version is the ideal comfort meal—flavorful, cozy, and incredibly satisfying.
Ingredient Notes
- Chicken Thighs: Provide tender, juicy bites that hold up well to the rich, flavorful sauce.
- Whole Plain Yogurt: Acts as a marinade base to tenderize the chicken and infuse it with tangy flavor.
- Fresh Lemon Juice: Brightens the marinade and helps break down proteins for ultra-tender chicken.
- Garam Masala: A fragrant spice blend that adds warm, complex depth; used in both the marinade and sauce.
- Fenugreek Leaves: Contribute a signature earthy, slightly sweet aroma that defines butter chicken’s unique flavor.
- Turmeric: Adds warmth and golden color while enhancing earthy undertones.
- Smoked Paprika: Brings mild heat and a smoky depth to both the marinade and sauce.
- Minced Garlic: Builds savory, aromatic layers that are essential to the base of the dish.
- Minced Ginger: Adds fresh warmth and brightness that cuts through the richness.
- Salt and Black Pepper: Essential seasonings that balance and highlight all the spices.
- Butter: Enriches the sauce with a silky, luxurious texture and flavor.
- Yellow Onion: Forms the savory foundation of the sauce when sautéed until golden.
- Cayenne Pepper: Optional heat to adjust the spiciness to your taste.
- Fire Roasted Tomatoes: Provide depth and slight smokiness while forming the body of the creamy sauce.
- Heavy Cream: Lends richness and smoothness, creating the velvety consistency of classic butter chicken.
- Low Sodium Chicken Broth: Thins the sauce to desired consistency without overpowering it.
- Cilantro: Adds a final burst of freshness and color, perfect for garnish and flavor.
Butter Chicken is a creamy, spiced classic with tender marinated chicken, aromatic spices, and a velvety tomato-cream sauce that’s perfect with rice or naan.
Tips for Making the Best Butter Chicken
- Marinate the Chicken: Even 30 minutes in a yogurt-spice marinade adds great flavor and tenderness.
- Sear Before Simmering: Browning the chicken before simmering enhances the flavor and locks in the juices.
- Use Crushed Tomatoes: They add texture and depth to the sauce without being too chunky.
- Finish with Cream and Butter: Add these at the end to keep the sauce smooth and luxurious.
- Garnish Smartly: Top with fresh cilantro and a swirl of cream for a restaurant-style finish.
Serving Suggestions
- Over Basmati Rice: Spoon the creamy chicken and sauce over fluffy basmati for the perfect combo.
- With Warm Naan Bread: Use naan to scoop up every last bit of sauce—it’s essential!
- With a Side of Cucumber Raita: A cool, creamy yogurt side dish balances the warmth of the spices.
- With Roasted Cauliflower or Potatoes: Add a veggie side for a more complete meal.
- As Leftovers: The flavors deepen overnight, making it an amazing next-day lunch or dinner.
A Must Try
Rich, creamy, and full of bold flavor, Butter Chicken is a dish you’ll crave again and again. The tender chicken thighs soak up the spiced tomato sauce, creating a perfect balance of savory and comfort. Whether it’s your first time making Indian food at home or you’re a seasoned pro, this recipe is guaranteed to impress. Serve it hot, top with fresh cilantro, and get ready for everyone to ask for seconds!
Be sure to check out these other delicious dinner recipes!
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Baked Chicken Drumsticks
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Crunchy Hot Honey Chicken
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Honey Garlic Butter Chicken
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Baked Sage Chicken Meatballs
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Balsamic Chicken
Butter Chicken
Butter Chicken is a creamy, spiced classic with tender marinated chicken, aromatic spices, and a velvety tomato-cream sauce that’s perfect with rice or naan.
Ingredients
- 2 lbs. chicken thighs trimmed of visible fat
- 1/2 cup whole plain yogurt
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- 2 tablespoon garam masala
- 2 tablespoon minced garlic divided
- 2 tablespoon peeled and minced ginger divided
- 4 tablespoon butter cut into pieces
- 4 teaspoon fenugreek leaves slightly crushed after measuring,
- 1 teaspoon turmeric
- 2 teaspoon smoked paprika divided
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
- 1 1/2 cups chopped yellow onion
- 1 14.5 oz can diced fire roasted tomatoes
- 3/4 cup heavy cream
- 1/4 cup low sodium chicken broth or a little more to thin if needed
- 3 tablespoon Cilantro
- Cayenne pepper to taste
Instructions
- In a big mixing bowl, toss in the chicken pieces and add the yogurt, lemon juice, 1 tablespoon of garam masala, 3 teaspoons of fenugreek leaves, turmeric, 1/2 teaspoon of smoked paprika, garlic, ginger, and a pinch of salt (or more, to your taste). Give it all a good mix until the chicken is nicely coated with all those yummy spices!
- Cover the bowl and pop it in the fridge to marinate—let those flavors soak in for at least 2 hours, or even better, up to 24 hours if you’ve got the time!
- Once it’s done marinating, spread the chicken out in a greased 13x9-inch rimmed baking sheet, making sure it’s in a nice even layer.
- Now, adjust your oven rack so it’s about 3 inches below the broiler. Preheat the broiler to high. When it’s nice and hot, slide the chicken in and broil until it’s cooked through and beautifully browned—this should take around 10 to 15 minutes.
- While the chicken is cooking, melt some butter in a skillet over medium-high heat to get the next part going!
- Add the chopped onion to the skillet and sauté until it turns a light golden brown—this should take about 7 minutes. Next, toss in the remaining 1 tablespoon of garlic and 1 tablespoon of ginger, and sauté for another minute to bring out all that delicious aroma.
- Now stir in the remaining 1 tablespoon of garam masala, 1 1/2 teaspoons of smoked paprika, and 1 teaspoon of fenugreek. Let everything sizzle together for about 30 seconds to really wake up those spices.
- Pour in the tomatoes, give it a good stir, then cover the skillet and let it gently simmer over low heat for 10 minutes to build a rich, flavorful base.
- Carefully pour the tomato mixture into a blender. Pop the lid on, but make sure to remove the center insert—then cover the opening with a folded kitchen towel or a few paper towels to avoid any messy splashes. Blend it on low until the sauce is nice and smooth.
- Pour the smooth sauce back into your skillet over medium-low heat, scraping every last bit from the blender into the pan (you don’t want to waste any of that flavor!). Stir in the heavy cream and chicken broth until everything's combined and creamy. Taste the sauce and season with salt, pepper, and a pinch (or more!) of cayenne if you want a little kick.
- Now, add the cooked chicken and any yummy juices from the baking sheet right into the sauce. Cover the pan and let it warm through for a few minutes.
- Serve it up hot over fluffy rice or scoop it up with soft naan—totally up to you. Either way, it’s going to be delicious!
Notes
Every oven has its own personality when it comes to broiling! 😄 If you notice the chicken is browning a bit too fast, just move the baking sheet down a rack so it can finish cooking without getting too dark on top.
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Butter Chicken is a creamy, spiced classic with tender marinated chicken, aromatic spices, and a velvety tomato-cream sauce that’s perfect with rice or naan.