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A woman's hand holding a fork stabs a piece of butter chicken garnished with cilantro.

Butter Chicken Recipe

Butter Chicken is one of the most popular dishes on the menu in Indian restaurants. Bite size pieces of chicken in a creamy tomato curry sauce this recipe is always delicious and surprisingly easy to make!
Course Main Dish
Cuisine Indaian, Indiant Inspired
Keyword Butter Chicien, Chicken Dinner
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Marinate 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 50 minutes
Servings 6 servings
Calories 371 kcal
Susanne Susanne

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs
  • 1/2 cup plain yogurt
  • 4 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 tablespoon minced fresh ginger
  • 2 teaspoons garam masala
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon dried fenugreek leaves
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon sweet paprika
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1 teaspoon turmeric
  • For the sauce:
  • 1/4 cup ghee
  • 1 1/2 cups tomato passata
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
  • Fresh chopped cilantro for garnish

Instructions

  1. Cut the chicken thighs into bite-sized pieces, set aside.
  2. In a large bowl whisk together the yogurt, garlic, ginger, garam masala, chili powder, fenugreek, garlic powder, cumin, onion powder, paprika, salt, and turmeric until smooth.
  3. Add the chicken to the bowl and toss in the marinade, cover with plastic wrap, and place in the fridge for at least one hour to marinate or up to overnight if you can.
  4. Place a dutch oven or large skillet with deep sides over high heat. Once hot add the ghee. Place the marinated chicken into the pot and sear on it the best you can stirring occasionally, cook until browned on most sides, 10 minutes.
  5. Add the tomato passata, cream, sugar, salt, and any leftover marinade from the chicken to the pot and mix it all together, scrape any browned bits off the bottom of the pot.
  6. Bring to a simmer and lower the heat to medium-low. Cover and simmer for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  7. Serve with a garnish of fresh cilantro, optional.

Recipe Notes

  • For best results marinate the 6-12 hours
  • See above post for a list of ingredient substitutions.
  • Nutritional information is estimated. Amounts will vary based on ingredient choices and serving sizes.
Nutrition Facts
Butter Chicken Recipe
Amount Per Serving (1 serving)
Calories 371 Calories from Fat 252
% Daily Value*
Fat 28g43%
Saturated Fat 16g100%
Trans Fat 0.02g
Polyunsaturated Fat 2g
Monounsaturated Fat 8g
Cholesterol 174mg58%
Sodium 1098mg48%
Potassium 398mg11%
Carbohydrates 7g2%
Fiber 1g4%
Sugar 4g4%
Protein 24g48%
Vitamin A 898IU18%
Vitamin C 1mg1%
Calcium 73mg7%
Iron 2mg11%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.