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Simple Butter Chicken

This Simple Butter Chicken is rich, creamy, and bursting with authentic Indian flavors. Perfect for a cozy dinner or impressing guests!
Prep Time15 minutes
Cook Time30 minutes
Total Time45 minutes
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Indian
Keyword: Butter Chicken, Creamy, Easy, Quick
Servings: 4 servings

Ingredients

For the Marinade

  • 1/2 cup plain yogurt full fat
  • 1 tablespoon grated fresh ginger
  • 6 cloves garlic minced
  • 2 tablespoons curry powder
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts cut into bite-size pieces

For Cooking and Sauce

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1/4 cup butter divided
  • 1 medium onion chopped
  • 15 ounce tomato sauce 1 can
  • 1 cup heavy cream heavy/whipping cream
  • 1 tablespoon sugar
  • 1 teaspoon garam masala
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper or to taste
  • chopped fresh cilantro for garnish
  • cooked rice try basmati or jasmine
  • naan for serving

Instructions

Marinate the Chicken

  • In a mixing bowl, combine the plain yogurt, grated ginger, minced garlic, curry powder, and ground cumin. Add the chicken pieces and stir until they are well-coated. Cover and let marinate in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes, or up to overnight for deeper flavor.

Sauté the Aromatics

  • In a large skillet, heat the olive oil and 2 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Once the butter has melted, add the chopped onion. Sauté for about 5-7 minutes, or until the onion becomes translucent and fragrant.

Cook the Chicken

  • Add the marinated chicken to the skillet. Cook for about 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the chicken is browned and nearly cooked through.

Add the Sauce Ingredients

  • Pour in the tomato sauce, cream, sugar, garam masala, salt, and cayenne pepper. Stir well to combine all the ingredients. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer.

Simmer and Finish

  • Reduce the heat to low and let the sauce simmer for about 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally. This allows the flavors to meld and the sauce to thicken. Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary.

Serve

  • Once the chicken is cooked through and the sauce is creamy and thick, remove from heat. Stir in the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter for extra richness. Serve the Simple Butter Chicken over cooked rice, garnished with chopped fresh cilantro, and alongside warm naan.

Equipment

  • Large Skillet
  • Mixing Bowl
  • Wooden Spoon
  • Measuring Cups and Spoons
  • Knife and cutting board

Notes

  • Marinate the chicken overnight for deeper flavor and tenderness.
  • Adjust the cayenne pepper to control the spice level to your preference.
  • Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days or frozen for up to 3 months.