How to Make the Perfect Creamy Butter Chicken
Indian · Medium · 50 min · 4 servings
Melt in your mouth chicken in a luscious mildly spiced tomato and butter sauce. This dish is milder than tikka masala making it a crowd pleasing favorite.
Why this recipe works
This Creamy Butter Chicken recipe has been crafted to deliver restaurant-quality results in your home kitchen. At just 50 minutes from start to finish, it fits perfectly into a busy schedule without sacrificing flavor. Each serving comes in at 540 calories with 38g of protein, making it a balanced choice for any meal.
What you will need
This recipe uses 10 simple ingredients that you can find at any grocery store:
- 700 g boneless chicken breast cut into pieces
- 4 tbsp unsalted butter
- 400 g crushed tomatoes
- 200 ml heavy cream
- 1 large onion finely chopped
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- 1 tsp garam masala
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp sweet paprika
- 1 tsp salt
Step by step instructions
Step 1: Sear the Chicken
Season chicken pieces with salt, cumin, and paprika. Melt 2 tablespoons of butter in a large skillet over medium high heat. Sear chicken in batches for 3 to 4 minutes per side until golden. Remove and set aside.
Step 2: Saute the Aromatics
In the same skillet add remaining butter and saute onion over medium heat for 8 minutes until soft and golden brown. Add garlic and cook for 2 minutes until fragrant. Stir in garam masala and toast for 30 seconds.
Step 3: Build the Tomato Sauce
Pour crushed tomatoes into the skillet and stir well scraping up any browned bits from the bottom. Bring to a simmer and cook uncovered for 15 minutes until the sauce reduces and deepens in color.
Step 4: Blend and Add Cream
Use an immersion blender to puree the sauce until completely smooth. Stir in heavy cream and simmer on low heat for 5 minutes. Do not boil after adding cream as it may cause the sauce to separate.
Step 5: Finish with Chicken
Return the seared chicken to the sauce and stir to coat evenly. Simmer gently for 10 minutes until chicken is cooked through and has absorbed the sauce flavors. Serve with basmati rice and warm naan bread.
Easy substitutions
Missing an ingredient? Here are some swaps that work perfectly:
- heavy cream → coconut cream for a dairy free and slightly sweeter version
- chicken breast → chicken thighs for more flavor and juicier results
- unsalted butter → ghee for a more authentic and nutty flavor profile
Common mistakes to avoid
Watch out for these pitfalls that can affect your results:
- Not blending the sauce which is essential for achieving the signature silky smooth texture
- Boiling the sauce after adding cream which causes it to curdle and become grainy
- Overcooking the chicken during the initial sear making it dry and tough by the end
Nutrition facts
Per serving: 540 calories, 38g protein, 14g carbs, 34g fat, 2g fiber.
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