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Quick and Easy Homemade Butter Chicken

Close-up of creamy, vibrant orange butter chicken pieces garnished heavily with fresh chopped cilantro.
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Make creamy, restaurant-style Butter Chicken (Murgh Makhani) at home in under 45 minutes. This recipe delivers rich flavor perfect for a weeknight dinner.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into 1-inch pieces
  • 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
  • 1 large onion, finely chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon grated fresh ginger
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon ground coriander
  • 1 teaspoon turmeric powder
  • 1 teaspoon garam masala
  • 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper (adjust to taste)
  • 1 (14.5 ounce) can crushed tomatoes
  • 1/2 cup water or chicken broth
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 1 teaspoon sugar
  • Salt to taste
  • Fresh cilantro, chopped (for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Season the chicken pieces lightly with salt. Heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook until browned on all sides, about 5-7 minutes. Remove the chicken and set it aside.
  2. Reduce the heat to medium. Add the chopped onion to the same skillet and cook until softened, about 5 minutes.
  3. Add the minced garlic and grated ginger to the skillet. Cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
  4. Stir in the cumin, coriander, turmeric, garam masala, and cayenne pepper. Cook the spices for 30 seconds, stirring constantly.
  5. Pour in the crushed tomatoes and water or broth. Bring the mixture to a simmer. Scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan.
  6. Return the cooked chicken to the skillet. Cover and let it simmer gently for 10 minutes, allowing the chicken to cook through and absorb the flavors.
  7. Stir in the heavy cream, butter, and sugar. Heat through gently for 2-3 minutes until the butter is melted and the sauce is creamy. Do not boil after adding the cream.
  8. Taste the sauce and add salt as needed.
  9. Serve the butter chicken hot, garnished with fresh cilantro. Serve with basmati rice or warm naan bread.

Notes

  • For an extra smooth sauce, blend the tomato and spice mixture with an immersion blender before adding the cream and chicken back in.
  • Use chicken thighs for a more tender result.
  • If you prefer less spice, omit the cayenne pepper entirely.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://cookingbyfelix.com/easy-butter-chicken-recipe/