Easy Butter Chicken

Easy Butter Chicken: Your Passport to Creamy Comfort (No Passport Required!)

Hey there, kitchen adventurers! Clara here from Unknown. Ever have one of those nights where you crave something deeply comforting, wildly flavorful, and just a *little* luxurious? That magical combo that makes you close your eyes and sigh after the first bite? That’s exactly where my Easy Butter Chicken lives! Forget the takeout menu – this vibrant, velvety dish is your homemade ticket to cozy bliss. Imagine tender chicken swimming in a sauce that’s like a warm hug – rich tomato, kissed by warm spices, and finished with a luscious swirl of cream. It’s the heart of Indian cuisine made totally approachable for your weeknight. Seriously, if you can stir a pot and chop an onion, you’re golden. We’re talking 45 minutes from fridge to fluffy rice, max. Let’s ditch the delivery guilt and create something that’ll make your kitchen smell incredible and your taste buds throw a little dance party. Trust me, once you taste this creamy, spiced wonder, you’ll be licking the spoon… and maybe the bowl. Ready to cook something nourishing and totally crave-worthy? Let’s go!

A Taste of Home (and a Little Kitchen Chaos)

Butter chicken always takes me back to my tiny first apartment kitchen. Picture this: me, fresh out of college, determined to impress my then-boyfriend (now husband!) with a “fancy” homemade dinner. I attempted a butter chicken recipe with approximately 37 spices I couldn’t pronounce. Let’s just say… it involved smoke alarms, a minor chili powder incident (coughing fit central!), and sauce that looked more like lumpy tomato soup. Disaster! But the *idea* of that creamy, dreamy dish stuck with me. Years later, after countless experiments (and learning that balance > overwhelming spice racks!), I finally cracked it. This recipe? It’s the happy ending to that chaotic night. It’s the simplified, soul-warming version I wish I’d had – packed with all the authentic flavor but none of the stress. It’s become our go-to celebration meal, our “bad day” cure, and the dish I love sharing most because it proves that incredible flavor doesn’t have to be complicated. Every time that creamy sauce simmers, I smile, remembering that smoky little kitchen and how far we’ve come!

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Easy Butter Chicken


  • Author: clarawhitmore
  • Total Time: 45 min
  • Yield: serves 4

Description

This butter chicken is the real deal—warm, velvety, and full of bold, aromatic spices. It’s comfort food straight from the heart of Indian cuisine, made simple for any home kitchen. Perfect with fluffy rice and a sprinkle of cilantro, it’s a dish that tastes like a hug in every bite.

 


Ingredients

Scale

2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breast (910 g), cubed

Salt and pepper, to taste

2 tsp chili powder, divided

½ tsp turmeric

6 tbsp unsalted butter, divided

1½ cups diced yellow onion (225 g)

3 tsp garam masala

1 tsp ground cumin

1 tsp cayenne pepper

1 tbsp grated fresh ginger

3 cloves garlic, minced

1 cinnamon stick (3-inch)

14 oz tomato sauce (395 g)

1 cup water (240 mL)

1 cup heavy cream (240 mL)

Cooked rice, for serving

Chopped fresh cilantro, for garnish


Instructions

Season Chicken: Toss cubed chicken with salt, pepper, 1 tsp chili powder, and turmeric.

 

Sear Chicken: In a large skillet, melt 3 tbsp butter over medium heat. Add chicken and cook until browned. Remove and set aside.

 

Sauté Aromatics: In the same skillet, melt remaining butter. Add onions and cook until soft. Stir in remaining chili powder, garam masala, cumin, cayenne, ginger, garlic, and cinnamon stick. Cook for 1–2 minutes until fragrant.

 

Make the Sauce: Pour in tomato sauce and water. Simmer for 10 minutes. Return chicken to pan. Simmer another 10–12 minutes.

 

Finish with Cream: Stir in heavy cream and simmer until thickened. Remove cinnamon stick before serving.

 

Serve: Spoon over rice, garnish with cilantro.

  • Prep Time: 15 mins
  • Cook Time: 30 mins
  • Category: Dinner

Nutrition

  • Calories: ~550
  • Fat: 35g
  • Carbohydrates: 10g
  • Protein: 40g

Your Flavor Toolkit: What You’ll Need

  • 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breast (910 g), cubed: The star! Thighs work great too for extra juicy bites (just add 5 mins cooking time).
  • Salt and pepper, to taste: Seasoning superstars. Don’t be shy!
  • 2 tsp chili powder, divided: Provides warmth, not just heat. Use Kashmiri chili powder for authentic color & milder kick, or regular if that’s what you have!
  • ½ tsp turmeric: Earthy depth & that gorgeous golden hue. A little goes a long way!
  • 6 tbsp unsalted butter, divided: Hello, richness! Unsalted lets you control the salt level. Ghee is a fabulous swap for deeper flavor.
  • 1½ cups diced yellow onion (225 g): The sweet, savory base. Chop evenly for even cooking.
  • 3 tsp garam masala: The soul of the dish! Warm, complex spice blend. Find it in the spice aisle – freshness matters!
  • 1 tsp ground cumin: Earthy, nutty backbone. Toasting whole seeds & grinding is chef-level magic.
  • 1 tsp cayenne pepper: Adjustable heat! Start with ½ tsp if sensitive, add more later.
  • 1 tbsp grated fresh ginger: Bright, zingy punch. Use a microplane! Bottled paste works (use 2 tsp) but fresh is best.
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced: Savory foundation. Smash cloves first for easier mincing.
  • 1 cinnamon stick (3-inch): Warm, subtle sweetness that infuses the sauce. Don’t sub ground here!
  • 14 oz tomato sauce (395 g): Smooth, tangy base. Use plain sauce (not seasoned pasta sauce!).
  • 1 cup water (240 mL): Thins the sauce perfectly. Chicken broth adds extra flavor too.
  • 1 cup heavy cream (240 mL): Creates the dreamy velvet texture. Full-fat coconut milk works for dairy-free (taste will differ slightly).
  • Cooked rice, for serving: Basmati is traditional & heavenly for soaking up sauce!
  • Chopped fresh cilantro, for garnish: The essential fresh pop! Don’t skip it.

Let’s Make Magic Happen: Step-by-Step

1. Season Chicken: In a bowl, toss your cubed chicken with a generous pinch of salt, pepper, 1 tsp of the chili powder, and the turmeric. Get those golden flecks all over! Chef Tip: Letting it sit for 10 mins while you prep veggies lets the flavors sink in.

2. Sear Chicken (Hello, Flavor!): Grab a large, deep skillet or Dutch oven. Melt 3 tbsp butter over medium-high heat. When it sizzles, add the chicken in a single layer (work in batches if needed – don’t crowd!). Cook 4-5 minutes, turning occasionally, until beautifully browned but not cooked through. Remove to a plate. Chef Hack: That brown stuff on the pan? FLAVOR GOLD! We’ll use it next.

3. Sauté Aromatics (Your Kitchen Will Smell AMAZING): Lower heat to medium. Melt the remaining 3 tbsp butter in the same pan. Add the diced onions and cook, stirring often, for 5-7 minutes until soft and translucent. Now the fun part! Add the remaining 1 tsp chili powder, garam masala, cumin, cayenne, grated ginger, minced garlic, and the cinnamon stick. Stir constantly for just 1-2 minutes. Watch closely! You want it fragrant, not burnt. This “blooms” the spices, unlocking their oils and deep flavor. Chef Insight: This step is where the soul of the dish is built – inhale deeply!

4. Build & Simmer the Sauce (Patience is Delicious): Pour in the tomato sauce and water, scraping up all those delicious browned bits from the chicken. Bring it to a gentle simmer. Let it bubble happily for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. This thickens the base and mellows the tomato. Return the chicken (and any juices!) to the pan. Stir well. Simmer gently for another 10-12 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and tender. Chef Tip: A low simmer is key – boiling can make the chicken tough and sauce separate.

5. Finish with Cream (Velvet Dream Time!): Turn off the heat. Stir in the heavy cream gently until fully incorporated and the sauce turns a gorgeous, rich orange. Let it sit for 2-3 minutes – it will thicken beautifully. Fish out that cinnamon stick! Taste and adjust salt if needed. Chef Hack: Off-heat cream addition prevents curdling. For extra silkiness, blend half the sauce before adding chicken back in step 4.

Plating Perfection: How to Serve

Fluff up some steaming basmati rice (or your favorite grain!) and spoon it generously into bowls. Ladle that luscious butter chicken and sauce right over the top. The crowning glory? A vibrant sprinkle of chopped fresh cilantro. For the ultimate cozy feast, add warm naan or roti for scooping, maybe a dollop of cool plain yogurt on the side, and a simple cucumber salad for crunch. Watch those eyes light up!

Make It Your Own: Flavorful Twists

  • Veggie Power: Swap chicken for 3 cups chickpeas (drained) + 1 large cubed sweet potato (add with onions). Use veggie broth instead of water.
  • Coconut Dream: Replace heavy cream with full-fat coconut milk for a dairy-free, slightly tropical vibe.
  • Smoky Twist: Add ½ tsp smoked paprika with the spices in step 3 for a subtle campfire kiss.
  • Extra Greens: Stir in 2 big handfuls of fresh baby spinach right after adding the cream – it wilts perfectly!
  • Paneer Please: Use cubed paneer cheese instead of chicken (no need to pre-cook, just add with sauce in step 4).

Clara’s Corner: Notes from My Kitchen

This recipe is my kitchen workhorse! It’s evolved SO much from those early days. I used to be scared of the spice levels, but I learned garam masala is more about warmth than fire. Don’t skip that cinnamon stick – it adds a hidden layer of sweetness you’d miss. One hilarious fail? I once forgot to remove it before serving. Let’s just say biting into it was… memorable! 🤣 Now I leave it sticking out slightly as a reminder. The biggest game-changer? Adding the cream OFF the heat. No more scary splitting! This dish also gets better the next day – the flavors meld beautifully. I often double it for easy lunches. It freezes great too (just add fresh cream when reheating). It’s proof that simple ingredients, cooked with love (and a little butter!), make the most satisfying magic.

Butter Chicken SOS: Your Questions Answered

Q: My sauce seems too thin! Help!
A: No panic! Simmer it gently for an extra 5-10 minutes uncovered to reduce. If still too thin, mix 1 tsp cornstarch with 1 tbsp cold water, stir it in, and simmer for 1 minute. Remember, it thickens slightly as it cools too!

Q: Is it supposed to be spicy? I’m heat-sensitive.
A: You control the heat! Start by halving the cayenne (use ½ tsp) and maybe the chili powder too. You can always add a pinch more at the end after adding cream if you want a touch more warmth. The cream naturally tames the heat.

Q: Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?
A: Absolutely! Thighs are actually more forgiving and stay juicier. Cube them, and add an extra 5 minutes cooking time in step 4 to ensure they’re tender. You might get a slightly richer flavor too – bonus!

Q: My sauce looks a bit grainy or separated after adding cream. What happened?
A: This usually means the sauce was too hot when you added the cream. Next time, make sure you take the pan OFF the heat before stirring in the cream. If it happens, whisk vigorously – it often comes back together. Adding a tablespoon of cold butter and whisking can also help emulsify it.

Nourishment Notes (Approx. Per Serving)

Calories: ~550 | Protein: ~40g | Carbs: ~10g (Net: ~8g) | Fat: ~35g
Remember: This is comfort food meant to be savored! It’s packed with protein and flavor. Pair with fiber-rich rice/veggies for balance.

This Easy Butter Chicken recipe is your new go-to for cozy, creamy comfort that’ll transport you to a place of pure satisfaction. With its tender chicken, rich tomato sauce, and decadent swirl of cream, it’s the perfect balance of spice and warmth for any night of the week. Forget the takeout guilt – in under 45 minutes, you’ll have a dish that’s bursting with flavor and simplicity. Whether you’re reminiscing about the chaos of early cooking attempts or sharing a bowl with loved ones, this butter chicken proves that comfort food doesn’t need to be complicated. It’s an easy win that’s sure to become a staple in your kitchen, filling your home with irresistible aromas and your heart with joy. Ready to dig in? Enjoy this creamy masterpiece—your taste buds will thank you!

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