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–+ servings
Butter chicken in a bowl on a wooden board.

Butter Chicken Recipe

Emily
Creamy, rich, and delicious buttery sauce meets tender and juicy chicken in this butter chicken recipe.
It's so easy to make, and is perfect for those busy weeknights, pot lucks, special occasions and more!
5 from 2 votes
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Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Marinate Time 20 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
ESTIMATED COST : $6.55 or $1.63 a serve
Course Main Course
Cuisine Indian
Servings 4 serves
Calories 563 kcal

Ingredients
  

Marinade

  • ½ cup (120 grams, 4.14 ounces) plain yogurt
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon turmeric powder
  • ½ teaspoon chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon garam masala
  • 1 teaspoon (1 – 2 cloves) minced garlic
  • 1 teaspoon ginger grated
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 750 grams (1.50 pounds) boneless chicken thigh fillets or chicken breast, cut into bite sized pieces

Curry

  • 2 tablespoons (30 grams, 1.06 ounces) butter or ghee
  • 1 cup tomato puree tomato passata
  • 1 cup (250ml/grams, 8.81 ounces) thickened cream (or heavy whipping cream)
  • 1 tablespoon sugar
  • 1 ¼ teaspoon salt or to taste

Instructions
 

  • Combine all marinade ingredients in a mixing bowl with the chicken. Coat the chicken well in the marinade and then cover and refrigerate for at least 20 minutes (for better flavor, refrigerate overnight).
  • Once the chicken has been marinated, heat butter in a large fry pan over high heat.
    Place chicken pieces into hot pan and cook until the chicken is fully cooked. (see note 1).
  • Reduce the heat to low medium, add the tomato puree, cream, sugar, salt, and any remaining marinade left in the bowl. Mix well. Taste for seasoning and add more salt if necessary.
  • Turn off heat. Serve.

Notes

  1. When adding chicken to the pan, use tongs to transfer it directly from the marinade. Avoid pouring excess marinade from the bowl into the pan; this helps the chicken retain its marinade while cooking.
You might like to serve this butter chicken recipe with a bowl of white rice, naan bread, pulao, or a fresh salad.

Nutrition

Serving: 1 serveCalories: 563kcalCarbohydrates: 9gProtein: 48gFat: 37gSaturated Fat: 22gMonounsaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 175mgSodium: 652mgPotassium: 56mgFiber: 1gSugar: 6g
Nutrition Disclosure
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