This butter chicken simple recipe is all homemade from scratch. And from scratch it means homemade and homemade is always delicious. We know this pretty well from our grandmothers saying. So let me show you, how to make Indian butter chicken at home.
When I first tasted butter chicken in the restaurant, I didn’t find it very appealing, and it was way too spicy for me. I like only very mild spicy flavoured dishes, so when it comes to Indian food, I rather cook this cuisine at home myself.
And I speak also for my young children. So whoever doesn’t like spicy butter chicken, or you plan to prepare this butter chicken for your young children, this recipe is just for you!
Indian butter chicken simple recipe introduction
Indian butter chicken is a dish originating from Indian subcontinent. It contains chicken breast cut in cubes cooked in a mildly spiced tomato sauce. Usually, chicken needs to be marinated for several hours in a lemon juice and yogourt and a mixture of red chilli, salt, garam masala and ginger garlic paste, to infuse all the flavors.
Then it’s cooked in a tomato and onion-based sauce that is simmered until smooth and velvety. Indian spices, especially mix of garam masala can be very spicy. This is why I love preparing my version of butter chicken, because I can control the spiciness of this dish.
Indian spice: GARAM MASALA
Garam masala is the base spice for Indian butter chicken. The most common spices that goes into Garam Masala are: Cumin, Coriander, Green and Black Cardamom, Cinnamon, Nutmeg, Cloves, Bay leaves, Peppercorns, Fennel, Mace and dried Chilies.
Doesn’t mean you need to use all these spices, and also the quantities, combinations and variations are endless. These spices are typically toasted whole, then ground down into a fine powder.
You can find garam masala spice mix in most of the grocery stores, these days. But because I do not want to make my butter chicken spicy, I need to make my own “non-spicy” garam masala spice mix. I am using in my mix everything, except chilies. Instead, I use little of sweet paprika powder.
Homemade spice blend for butter chicken (not that spicy)
- 1 tablespoon cumin
- 2 teaspoons coriander
- 2 teaspoons cardamon
- ½ teaspoon nutmeg
- 1 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon pepper
- ½ teaspoon cloves in powder
- ½ teaspoon sweet paprika powder
If you do like spicy food, then use the typical garam masala spice mix in this chicken butter recipe.
Amazing flavours in butter chicken
You must be asking yourself where all these great flavors of Indian butter chicken are coming from. Of course the most important flavors are coming from spices, which I have described above. But there is many other ingredients, which can make your Indian butter chicken unforgettable experience of flavors.
Onions– is one of the base ingredient for chicken butter. Good browned onion might change completely the taste of this whole dish. So remember, cook your onions until brown and if you think your onions are brown, then cook them for another few seconds, until they are really brown, but be careful not burned.
Chicken – If you do have a time, you can even marinate your chicken cubes in lemon and yogourt, this will make the chicken tender even more. Brown as well your pieces of chicken. It will add extra flavour to this whole dish.
Tomato sauce – During summer season you can use fresh tomatoes, but then it takes longer to cook, and you have to blend the tomatoes into a sauce. So I prefer a quicker version with pre-made tomato sauce. I use tomato sauce from my grocery store.
More recipes
- SUPER EASY CHICKEN FAJITAS WITH SALSA
- CHICKEN TEX MEX SALAD IN TORTILLA BOWL
- THE BEST SWEDISH MEATBALLS RECIPE
- SPAGHETTI and MEATBALLS in TOMATO SAUCE
- CREAMY MASHED POTATOES RECIPE
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INDIAN BUTTER CHICKEN
Equipment
- Large skillet with lid
Ingredients
- 6 tablespoons butter
- 2 lbs (900 g ) chicken breasts cut into 1” cubes
- 1 medium yellow onion diced
- 3 medium garlic cloves minced
- 1 tbsp garam masala see for non spicy garam masala blend in the blog post
- 1 tbsp fresh grated ginger
- 1 1/2 cups tomato sauce
- 1 cup cream
- 1/2 cup sour cream or white yogourt
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp pepper
- 2 tbsp cilantro for garnishrice or naan (Indian bread)
Instructions
- In a large skillet, reheat 2 Tbsp of butter over medium-high heat. Brown onion for about 5 minutes or until soften and brown.
- Add garlic, garam masala, ginger and stir to combine. Cook the spices for a minute and then add another 2 tbsp of butter.
- Once the butter is melted, add pieces of the chicken and brown them from all sides. Season the chicken with salt and pepper. And cook for about 5 minutes.
- Add tomato sauce and bring the mixture to a simmer. Cover with a lid and cook for 15 minutes.
- Add the cream, sour cream or white yogourt and stir until well combined. Stir in the remaining 2 Tbsp of butter, and season with salt and pepper, to your liking.
- Serve garnished with lime and cilantro. As a side serve with rice and naan.
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Linking to Cook Blog Share week 7
Wow! Looks really mouthwatering! 😋😋
Thank you!
very nice
Thank you SAfina for your lovely comment 🙂
OMG!! This looks incredibly delicious 🙂
Thank you, so glad you like it 👍😃
I think preparing the dish properly is just one part of the challenge. The next part is in presenting it artistically so that the diner really feels like eating what is served. This is where you score excellently. The image you have shared in this post makes me eager to try this recipe.
I am beyond thrilled Lakshit that you will give a try to my butter chicken recipe. I am a big fan of Indian cuisine and this Indian signature dish is one of my favourite. I have tried to recreated less spicy recipe, then it is usually served. These are just my preferences. But feel free to add as much as the spice you love.. I have indicated this in the recipe. Hope you will have fun cooking this butter chicken recipe and please share with me on instagram your creation. Have a wonderful day Lakshit, Cheers Julia.
This looks amazing! And very easy to make! I usually cheat with butter chicken, but I’ll be trying this recipe!
So happy you like this recipe Claire. Butter chicken is always so good!
Love this curry! It is so simple to make and really delicious.
Thank you Cat:) Happy to share!
What a beautiful curry. I could do with this so much right now. How beautiful! Thank you for linking up to #CookBlogShare!
Thank you Sisley, happy to share!