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Quick & Easy Homemade Butter Chicken

Bring restaurant-style flavor home with this comforting Butter Chicken—rich, creamy, and bursting with warm spices. This simplified version keeps things fast without skimping on taste. Perfect for busy weeknights or weekend meal prep, and it pairs beautifully with fluffy rice or warm naan.

Ingredients

Scale

lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs (or breasts), cut into chunks

1 tbsp oil (vegetable or ghee)

1 small onion, finely chopped

3 cloves garlic, minced

1 tbsp fresh ginger, grated

2 tsp garam masala

1 tsp ground cumin

1 tsp turmeric

½ tsp chili powder (or to taste)

1 tsp paprika

1 cup tomato puree or crushed tomatoes

½ cup heavy cream (or full-fat coconut milk for dairy-free)

2 tbsp butter

Salt to taste

Fresh cilantro for garnish

Cooked rice or naan, for serving

Instructions

Heat oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add chicken and season with a pinch of salt. Sear until browned (not fully cooked), then remove and set aside.

In the same pan, melt butter and sauté onions until soft (3–4 minutes).

Add garlic, ginger, and spices. Cook for 1–2 minutes until fragrant.

Stir in tomato puree. Simmer 5 minutes.

Add seared chicken and cook for 8–10 minutes until tender and cooked through.

Lower heat, stir in cream, and simmer another 2–3 minutes until silky.

Garnish with cilantro and serve with rice or naan.

Nutrition