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Easy 20 Minute Butter Chicken

A quick, creamy butter chicken that comes together in about 20 minutes for an easy weeknight meal.
Prep Time5 minutes
Cook Time15 minutes
Total Time20 minutes
Servings: 4 servings

Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon oil
  • 1 tablespoon butter
  • 1 medium onion diced
  • 1 teaspoon fresh ginger finely minced or grated (or use paste)
  • 2-3 cloves garlic finely minced or crushed
  • 1 1/2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts cut into 3/4-inch chunks (about 2–3 breasts)
  • 4 tablespoons tomato paste or 8 oz can tomato sauce
  • 1 tablespoon garam masala
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder or paprika, adjust to taste
  • 1 teaspoon fenugreek (powder) optional; seeds or mustard seeds can be used instead
  • 1 teaspoon cumin
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 cup heavy cream or substitute half-and-half or yogurt for lower fat
  • hot cooked rice for serving
  • naan for serving

Instructions

  • Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat.
  • Add the oil and butter to the hot skillet, then add the diced onion; cook, stirring occasionally, until the onion is lightly golden, about 3–4 minutes.
  • Add the minced or grated ginger and minced garlic and cook, stirring, for about 30 seconds until fragrant, taking care not to let them burn.
  • Add the chicken pieces to the skillet, then stir in the tomato paste, garam masala, chili powder (or paprika), fenugreek, cumin, salt, and black pepper until the chicken is coated in the spice-tomato mixture.
  • Cook the chicken and spice mixture for 5–6 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the chicken is cooked through.
  • Stir in the heavy cream, reduce the heat to medium-low, and simmer for 8–10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce is heated through and slightly thickened.
  • Serve the butter chicken over hot cooked rice with naan on the side.

Equipment

  • Large Skillet

Notes

  • Use yogurt or half-and-half to reduce richness.
  • Adjust chili powder to taste for spiciness.
  • Fenugreek is optional but adds authentic flavor.
  • Cut chicken into uniform pieces for even cooking.