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A plate of authentic homemade butter chicken garnished with fresh cilantro, served alongside naan bread and basmati rice.

Authentic Homemade Butter Chicken: Easy Indian Flavor at Home

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Discover the authentic taste of India with this Homemade Butter Chicken recipe. Creamy, flavorful, and easy to prepare, this classic Indian dish features tender marinated chicken cooked in a rich tomato-based sauce infused with aromatic spices. Perfect for cozy dinners or entertaining guests, enjoy a deliciously authentic butter chicken made from scratch at home.

  • Total Time: 55 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings

Ingredients

Scale
  • 500g boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 1 cup plain yogurt
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • 2 teaspoons ground cumin
  • 2 teaspoons garam masala
  • 1 teaspoon turmeric powder
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder (adjust to taste)
  • Salt to taste
  • 2 tablespoons oil

For the Butter Chicken Sauce

  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 1 large onion, finely chopped
  • 4 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated
  • 400g crushed tomatoes (or tomato puree)
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 1 teaspoon fenugreek leaves (optional)
  • 1 teaspoon garam masala
  • 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream or coconut milk
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Marinate the chicken: In a bowl, combine yogurt, lemon juice, cumin, garam masala, turmeric, chili powder, and salt. Add chicken pieces, coat thoroughly, and marinate for at least 30 minutes, up to 4 hours.
  2. Cook the chicken: Heat oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add marinated chicken and cook until golden brown and cooked through. Set aside.
  3. Prepare the sauce: In the same skillet, melt butter and sauté chopped onion until translucent. Add garlic and ginger, cook for 1 minute. Stir in crushed tomatoes, paprika, fenugreek leaves, garam masala, and chili powder. Simmer for 10 minutes until sauce thickens.
  4. Combine chicken with sauce: Add cooked chicken to the sauce, stir well. Pour in heavy cream or coconut milk and simmer for an additional 10 minutes. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Notes

  • Marinate the chicken thoroughly for enhanced flavor.
  • Adjust spice levels to suit your taste, adding more chili for heat.
  • Using fresh tomatoes yields a richer sauce, but canned crushed tomatoes are a convenient alternative.
  • Allow the sauce to simmer slowly to develop deep, complex flavors.
  • Author: Emma Bloomfield
  • Prep Time: 30 minutes
  • Cook Time: 25 minutes
  • Category: Main Course
  • Method: Stovetop
  • Cuisine: Indian
  • Diet: Dairy

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 plate
  • Calories: 450 kcal Kcal
  • Sugar: 7 g
  • Sodium: 900 mg
  • Fat: 25 g
  • Saturated Fat: 14 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 40 g
  • Fiber: 4 g
  • Protein: 30 g
  • Cholesterol: 125 mg