Name: Quick Easy Homemade Butter Chicken Recipe
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 1 h 15 min
Yield: 4-6 servings
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

Quick Easy Homemade Butter Chicken Recipe — those words alone conjure images of a rich, creamy, and irresistibly aromatic curry that has captured hearts worldwide. Have you ever dreamed of recreating that authentic, restaurant-quality Butter Chicken in your own kitchen without spending hours slaving over the stove? I certainly have, and I’m thrilled to share how achievable it is! This iconic dish, with its origins tracing back to Delhi, India, post-partition, has evolved from a simple way to use leftover tandoori chicken into a global culinary phenomenon.

Why is Butter Chicken so universally adored?

People utterly adore Butter Chicken for its luxurious, velvety tomato-based gravy, the tender pieces of succulent chicken, and the perfectly balanced blend of mild yet aromatic spices. It’s the ultimate comfort food, offering a symphony of sweet, tangy, and savory notes in every spoonful. Today, I’m bringing you a version that promises all that incredible flavor and texture, made surprisingly simple. This particular Quick Easy Homemade Butter Chicken Recipe is designed to demystify a classic, ensuring you can enjoy a truly spectacular meal with minimal fuss, perfect for a weeknight dinner or an impressive weekend feast.

Ingredients:

For the Chicken Marinade:
- 1.5 lbs (approximately 680g) Boneless, Skinless Chicken Thighs: I find thighs stay juicier, but breast meat works too, just be mindful of overcooking. Cut them into 1-inch bite-sized pieces.
- 1/2 cup Plain Full-Fat Yogurt: This helps tenderize the chicken beautifully and adds a lovely tang. Make sure it’s not flavored!
- 1 tablespoon Ginger-Garlic Paste: A fresh paste makes all the difference, but a good quality store-bought one is fine in a pinch.
- 1 teaspoon Turmeric Powder: For that beautiful golden hue and earthy warmth.
- 1 teaspoon Red Chili Powder (or Kashmiri Chili Powder): Kashmiri chili powder gives a vibrant red color without too much heat, which is perfect for an authentic Quick Easy Homemade Butter Chicken Recipe. Adjust to your spice preference.
- 1 teaspoon Garam Masala: The soul of Indian cooking, adding aromatic depth.
- 1/2 teaspoon Salt: Essential for seasoning the chicken from within.
- 1 tablespoon Lemon Juice: Brightens the flavors and aids in tenderization.
For the Rich Butter Chicken Sauce:
- 2 tablespoons Ghee or Unsalted Butter: Ghee imparts a nutty, authentic flavor, but butter works perfectly for a quick butter chicken.
- 1 large Yellow Onion: Finely chopped. The finer, the better, as it needs to melt into the sauce.
- 1 tablespoon Ginger-Garlic Paste: Again, fresh is best for maximum flavor impact.
- 1 cup Crushed Tomatoes (from a can): High-quality canned crushed tomatoes provide consistent flavor and texture. Alternatively, you can use 2-3 ripe fresh tomatoes, blanched, peeled, and pureed.
- 1/2 cup Tomato Paste: This concentrates the tomato flavor and adds depth and color to our quick easy homemade butter chicken.
- 1/2 cup Water or Chicken Broth: For simmering the sauce. Broth adds an extra layer of flavor.
- 1/2 cup Cashews: Soaked in hot water for at least 15-20 minutes, then drained. This is my secret for a luxuriously creamy sauce without needing excessive cream.
- 1/2 cup Heavy Cream: The quintessential ingredient for that signature rich, velvety texture.
- 2 tablespoons Unsalted Butter: Added at the very end for that melt-in-your-mouth “butter” chicken finish.
- 1 teaspoon Garam Masala: For a final aromatic burst, added towards the end.
- 1 teaspoon Sugar: Balances the acidity of the tomatoes and enhances the overall flavor profile. Don’t skip this!
- 1/2 teaspoon Kasoori Methi (Dried Fenugreek Leaves): Crushed between your palms before adding. This is a non-negotiable for authentic butter chicken flavor. It adds a slightly bitter, earthy, and aromatic note.
- Salt to taste: You’ll need to adjust this at the end to ensure the perfect seasoning.
- 1/4 teaspoon Red Chili Powder (optional, for extra heat): If you like a little more kick in your quick easy homemade butter chicken.
For Serving and Garnish:
- Fresh Cilantro, chopped
- A swirl of extra heavy cream or plain yogurt
- Naan bread, basmati rice, or paratha

Prepping the Chicken Marinade

Prepare the Chicken: First things first, let’s get our chicken ready for its flavorful bath. Take your 1.5 lbs of boneless, skinless chicken thighs and pat them thoroughly dry with paper towels. This step is important because excess moisture can dilute the marinade and prevent it from adhering properly, which means less flavor penetration into the meat. Once dry, cut the chicken into uniform 1-inch bite-sized pieces. Aim for consistency in size so that they cook evenly later on. For this Quick Easy Homemade Butter Chicken Recipe, ensuring even cooking is key to tender, succulent results.
Mix the Marinade: Now for the magic! In a medium-sized bowl, combine all the marinade ingredients. That’s your 1/2 cup plain full-fat yogurt, 1 tablespoon ginger-garlic paste, 1 teaspoon turmeric powder, 1 teaspoon red chili powder (Kashmiri if you have it!), 1 teaspoon garam masala, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1 tablespoon lemon juice. Give it a good whisk until everything is thoroughly combined and you have a smooth, vibrant paste. The aroma alone will start making your mouth water!
Marinate the Chicken: Add your prepared chicken pieces to the marinade bowl. Using your hands (gloves are recommended here to avoid turmeric stains!), really get in there and toss the chicken until every piece is completely coated in that glorious marinade. This is where the flavor infusion truly begins for our easy homemade butter chicken. Cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes. If you have the time, I highly recommend marinating for 2-4 hours, or even better, overnight (up to 24 hours). The longer it marinates, the more tender and flavorful your chicken will be, leading to a truly exquisite butter chicken experience. This patience will pay off immensely in the final dish!

Preparing the Rich Butter Chicken Sauce Base

Sauté the Aromatics: In a large, heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven, melt 2 tablespoons of ghee or unsalted butter over medium heat. Once shimmering, add your finely chopped large yellow onion. Sauté the onion gently, stirring frequently, for about 8-10 minutes until it becomes beautifully translucent and very soft. You don’t want any browning here; we’re aiming for softness and sweetness, which will melt into our sauce. This slow sauté is crucial for building the foundational flavor of our quick easy homemade butter chicken sauce.
Add Ginger-Garlic and Spices: Once the onion is soft, add 1 tablespoon of fresh ginger-garlic paste to the pot. Stir it in and cook for another 1-2 minutes until fragrant, being careful not to burn it. Then, reduce the heat to low and add 1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder, 1 teaspoon red chili powder (or Kashmiri chili powder), and 1 teaspoon garam masala. Stir constantly for about 30 seconds to allow the spices to bloom in the hot oil. This step releases their aromatic oils, intensifying their flavor profile for our rich butter chicken.
Incorporate Tomatoes and Cashews: Immediately after the spices bloom, stir in 1 cup of crushed tomatoes and 1/2 cup of tomato paste. Add the 1/2 cup of drained, soaked cashews. Stir everything together thoroughly, ensuring no lumps of tomato paste remain. The cashews, having been softened by soaking, will blend beautifully into the sauce, providing an incredible natural richness and thickness without making the sauce overly heavy. This contributes significantly to the luxurious texture of a perfect homemade butter chicken.
Simmer the Sauce Base: Pour in 1/2 cup of water or chicken broth. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, then reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and let it cook for about 15-20 minutes. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking. During this simmering time, the tomatoes will cook down, their acidity will mellow, and all the flavors will meld together wonderfully. This slow cooking allows the sauce to deepen in color and taste, creating a truly robust base for your quick butter chicken.
Blend for Smoothness: Carefully remove the pot from the heat. Allow the sauce base to cool slightly for a few minutes before proceeding. Transfer the entire contents of the pot to a high-speed blender. Blend on high until the sauce is incredibly smooth and creamy. This might take 2-3 minutes, depending on your blender. You want absolutely no visible pieces of onion or cashew; it should be a velvety puree. This blending step is non-negotiable for achieving that signature, restaurant-quality smooth texture in your Quick Easy Homemade Butter Chicken Recipe.
Strain for Ultimate Silkiness (Optional, but Recommended!): For the absolute smoothest, most luxurious butter chicken sauce, I highly recommend straining the blended sauce. Place a fine-mesh sieve over a clean pot and pour the blended sauce through it, using a spatula or the back of a ladle to push the sauce through. This will catch any tiny bits of onion skin, spice particles, or unblended cashew pieces, leaving you with an unbelievably silky sauce that is the hallmark of a truly authentic and decadent butter chicken. Trust me, this extra step is worth it for that sublime texture! Discard any solids left in the sieve.

Cooking the Marinated Chicken

Sear the Marinated Chicken: While your sauce is simmering or after it’s been blended, it’s time to cook our wonderfully marinated chicken. Heat 1 tablespoon of neutral oil (like vegetable or canola oil) in a large skillet or non-stick pan over medium-high heat. Once the oil is hot, add the marinated chicken pieces in a single layer, making sure not to overcrowd the pan. You might need to do this in two batches to ensure proper searing. Overcrowding will steam the chicken instead of searing it, and we want those lovely caramelized edges for maximum flavor in our easy homemade butter chicken.
Cook Through: Sear the chicken for about 3-4 minutes on each side until it develops a beautiful golden-brown crust. This searing locks in the juices and creates a fantastic depth of flavor that will permeate the final dish. Once seared, continue to cook the chicken, flipping occasionally, for another 5-7 minutes, or until it’s fully cooked through and no longer pink in the center. Don’t overcook it, as the chicken will continue to cook a little further when added to the sauce, and we want it to remain juicy and tender, which is paramount for an exceptional Quick Easy Homemade Butter Chicken Recipe. Remove the cooked chicken from the pan and set it aside.

Bringing It All Together: The Quick Easy Homemade Butter Chicken

Combine Sauce and Chicken: Return your strained, silky sauce to a clean pot (if you strained it into a separate pot, or back to the original if you skipped straining). Place it over medium-low heat. Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer. Once simmering, carefully add the cooked chicken pieces back into the sauce. Stir gently to ensure every piece of chicken is coated in that rich, aromatic sauce. This is where the magic truly starts to happen, as the flavors begin to marry beautifully.
Add Cream and Butter for Richness: Now for the grand finale of richness! Stir in 1/2 cup of heavy cream, 2 tablespoons of unsalted butter, 1 teaspoon of sugar, and 1/2 teaspoon of crushed Kasoori Methi (dried fenugreek leaves). To prepare the Kasoori Methi, simply place it in the palm of your hand and rub your hands together to crush the leaves, which releases their unique, fragrant aroma. The heavy cream adds that signature velvety texture and luxurious mouthfeel that is synonymous with butter chicken, while the butter enriches the dish even further. The sugar helps to balance the acidity of the tomatoes, creating a harmonious flavor profile, and the Kasoori Methi is absolutely essential for that authentic, slightly bitter, earthy note that defines a proper butter chicken.
Final Simmer and Flavor Development: Gently stir all the ingredients together until the butter has fully melted and the cream is well incorporated into the sauce. Let the Quick Easy Homemade Butter Chicken simmer on low heat for another 5-7 minutes, allowing all the flavors to deepen and meld. This final simmer ensures the chicken absorbs even more of that delicious sauce, and the consistency thickens just perfectly. During this time, give it an occasional stir to prevent any sticking. You’ll notice the sauce taking on that beautiful, glossy, reddish-orange hue that we all love in a good homemade butter chicken.
Adjust Seasoning and Final Touches: Taste the butter chicken and adjust the seasoning as needed. You might want to add a pinch more salt, a dash more red chili powder if you desire extra heat, or even a tiny bit more sugar if you prefer a slightly sweeter note. Remember, every palate is different, so make it perfect for yours! If the sauce seems too thick, you can add a splash of warm water or chicken broth to reach your desired consistency. On the other hand, if it’s too thin, let it simmer uncovered for a few more minutes to reduce slightly. This step is crucial to ensure your Quick Easy Homemade Butter Chicken Recipe is seasoned to perfection before serving.

Serving Your Delicious Butter Chicken

Garnish and Serve: Once you’re happy with the taste and consistency, remove the pot from the heat. Ladle generous portions of your incredible Quick Easy Homemade Butter Chicken into serving bowls. For a beautiful presentation and a burst of freshness, sprinkle generously with freshly chopped cilantro. If you’re feeling extra fancy, you can add a final swirl of heavy cream or a dollop of plain yogurt on top just before serving.
Enjoy the Feast: This easy homemade butter chicken is best served immediately, piping hot. It pairs perfectly with fluffy basmati rice, warm and buttery naan bread, or flaky paratha. I love to tear off a piece of naan and scoop up every last drop of that rich, creamy sauce. Get ready to impress your family and friends with this truly authentic and quick butter chicken recipe. Every bite is a testament to the joy of homemade cooking, a dish that tastes like it came straight from your favorite Indian restaurant, but made right in your own kitchen with love. Enjoy!

Conclusion:

You’ve journeyed with me through the steps, absorbed the aromas in your imagination, and now, my friends, we’ve arrived at the grand finale: why this particular dish, this culinary triumph, is absolutely, unequivocally a must-try. This isn’t just another meal you whip up; it’s an experience, a delightful exploration of flavors that will transport your taste buds straight to the heart of India, all from the comfort of your own kitchen. I truly believe that once you taste the results of this method, you’ll understand why it has become such a beloved staple in my own home and why I’m so eager for you to embrace it too. This isn’t just about cooking; it’s about creating memories, sharing joy, and savoring every single bite. The beauty of this recipe lies in its incredible ability to deliver restaurant-quality deliciousness without the usual fuss or intimidating ingredient lists.

At its core, this Quick Easy Homemade Butter Chicken Recipe is a testament to the fact that authentic, deeply satisfying Indian cuisine doesn’t have to be complicated or time-consuming. It’s about achieving that perfect balance of tangy tomatoes, warming spices, and rich, creamy goodness, all infused with tender, juicy chicken that practically melts in your mouth. The sauce itself is a velvety embrace, a luxurious coating that clings to every piece of chicken, offering a symphony of sweet, savory, and subtly spicy notes with each spoonful. What truly sets this recipe apart is its ingenious blend of simplicity and depth. We’re talking about a dish that tastes like it simmered for hours, when in reality, it comes together with surprising speed and minimal effort. Imagine that incredible feeling of presenting a stunning, aromatic dish to your family or guests, knowing you created such magic with your own hands, easily and without breaking a sweat. It’s truly a game-changer for those busy weeknights when you crave something extraordinary but need something practical.

Now, let’s talk about enhancing your experience and making this dish truly your own. While it’s utterly divine on its own, the right accompaniments can elevate it even further. My absolute favorite way to serve this butter chicken is alongside a generous helping of fluffy Basmati rice, its delicate grains perfectly absorbing the rich, creamy sauce. But don’t stop there! Warm, pillowy naan bread, especially garlic naan, is practically a non-negotiable for soaking up every last drop of that incredible gravy. Alternatively, soft rotis or flaky parathas also make fantastic vehicles for scooping up the goodness. To cut through the richness and add a refreshing contrast, a simple side salad with crisp cucumber and red onion, or a cooling cucumber raita, can be absolutely delightful. For those who enjoy a bit of zest, a squeeze of fresh lime juice over the finished dish can brighten all the flavors beautifully. Don’t be afraid to experiment with these pairings; part of the joy of cooking is discovering your own perfect combination.

Beyond serving suggestions, this recipe is wonderfully versatile, offering countless opportunities for customization. If you like a little more heat, feel free to add an extra pinch of cayenne pepper or a finely chopped green chili during the sautéing process. For those who prefer it milder, you can always reduce the chili powder or add a touch more cream or a spoonful of plain yogurt at the end to temper the spice. For my vegetarian friends, this recipe adapts beautifully: simply swap the chicken for paneer cubes, firm tofu, chickpeas, or a medley of your favorite vegetables like bell peppers, peas, and potatoes. Just ensure they are cooked through before adding them to the sauce. Garnish is also where you can add your personal touch. A sprinkle of freshly chopped cilantro is a classic and highly recommended, but a swirl of heavy cream, a dash of kasuri methi (dried fenugreek leaves, crushed between your palms to release their aroma), or even toasted slivered almonds can add extra layers of texture and flavor. And for the health-conscious, consider using Greek yogurt in place of some of the heavy cream or opting for leaner chicken breast; the flavor will still be phenomenal. This dish also freezes incredibly well, making it a perfect candidate for meal prepping. Imagine a busy Tuesday evening, and all you need to do is thaw and heat this culinary masterpiece you prepared earlier – pure bliss!

So, my dear fellow food enthusiasts, now it’s your turn. I’ve shared my passion, my tips, and my confidence in this recipe, and I genuinely believe that you are going to fall in love with it just as much as I have. Don’t hesitate, don’t overthink it. Gather your ingredients, set aside a little time, and embark on this delicious adventure. You’ll be amazed at how effortlessly you can create such a spectacular dish, one that will undoubtedly impress anyone lucky enough to share it with you. More than just enjoying the meal, I truly want to hear about your experience. Did you tweak it? Did you find a new favorite serving suggestion? What did your family and friends think? Your feedback and culinary journey are incredibly valuable to me and to our growing community of home cooks. Please, don’t keep your triumphs to yourself! Drop a comment below, share your photos on social media, and let us all celebrate the joy of creating delicious, homemade food together. I’m eagerly anticipating reading about your successes. Happy cooking, everyone, and may your kitchen always be filled with the most wonderful aromas!