Quick and creamy, this homemade butter chicken is packed with rich tomato flavor, tender chicken, and warm spices. It’s the perfect weeknight Indian comfort food.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: Serves 4
Ingredients
-
1½ lbs chicken thighs, cut into chunks
-
½ cup plain yogurt
-
Juice of ½ lemon
-
2 tsp garam masala (divided)
-
1 tsp turmeric
-
1 tsp cumin
-
½ tsp chili powder
-
1 tbsp garlic (grated)
-
1 tbsp ginger (grated)
-
2 tbsp oil
-
3 tbsp butter
-
1 small onion, finely chopped
-
1½ cups tomato puree
-
¾ cup heavy cream
-
1 tsp sugar or honey
-
1 tsp dried fenugreek leaves (optional)
-
Salt to taste
-
Fresh cilantro for garnish
Instructions
-
Combine yogurt, lemon, half the spices, garlic, ginger, and chicken. Marinate for 30 minutes.
-
Heat oil in a skillet and sear chicken in batches until golden. Set aside.
-
In the same pan, melt butter. Sauté onion, then add garlic, ginger, and remaining spices.
-
Stir in tomato puree and simmer for 10 minutes.
-
Add cream, sugar, fenugreek (if using), and return chicken to the sauce.
-
Simmer 8–10 minutes until chicken is cooked through. Garnish with cilantro.