Butter Chicken
Butter Chicken Recipe – Creamy, Rich & Flavorful Indian Butter Chicken
Butter Chicken, also known as Murgh Makhani, is one of the most popular Indian chicken recipes around the world. This classic dish features tender pieces of chicken cooked in a rich, creamy tomato-based sauce flavored with butter, garlic, ginger, and aromatic Indian spices.
This easy Butter Chicken recipe is perfect for a comforting weeknight dinner, family meal, or special occasion. Serve it with fluffy basmati rice, naan, roti, or your favorite Indian bread for a restaurant-style meal at home.
What Is Butter Chicken?
Butter Chicken is a famous North Indian dish traditionally made with marinated chicken cooked in a mildly spiced, buttery tomato gravy. The chicken is often grilled or roasted before being simmered in the creamy sauce, giving the dish a delicious smoky flavor.
The combination of butter, tomato, cream, and Indian spices creates a sauce that is rich and flavorful without necessarily being extremely spicy.
Butter Chicken is also called Murgh Makhani, with "makhani" referring to butter. It is especially popular in Indian restaurants and has become a favorite Indian curry worldwide.
Why You'll Love This Butter Chicken Recipe
Rich, creamy, and incredibly flavorful
Easy to make at home
Uses simple ingredients
Perfect for beginners
Great for weeknight dinners
Can be made with chicken breast or chicken thighs
Delicious with naan, rice, or roti
Tastes even better the next day
Easy to adjust for your preferred spice level
Butter Chicken Ingredients
For the Chicken Marinade
1½ lb (700 g) boneless chicken thighs or chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces
½ cup plain yogurt
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 tablespoon ginger-garlic paste
1 teaspoon Kashmiri chili powder
½ teaspoon turmeric powder
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon garam masala
½ teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
For the Butter Chicken Sauce
2 tablespoons butter
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1 medium onion, finely chopped
1 tablespoon ginger-garlic paste
2 cups tomato puree
1 teaspoon Kashmiri chili powder
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon ground coriander
½ teaspoon garam masala
½ teaspoon turmeric powder
1 teaspoon sugar, optional
½ cup heavy cream
½ cup water, or as needed
Salt to taste
1 teaspoon dried fenugreek leaves (kasuri methi), crushed
1 tablespoon butter, for finishing
Fresh cilantro, for garnish
How to Make Butter Chicken
Step 1: Marinate the Chicken
Place the chicken pieces in a large bowl. Add yogurt, lemon juice, ginger-garlic paste, Kashmiri chili powder, turmeric, cumin, garam masala, salt, and oil.
Mix thoroughly so that every piece of chicken is coated with the marinade.
Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes. For deeper flavor, marinate the chicken for several hours or overnight.
Step 2: Cook the Chicken
Heat a large skillet or grill pan over medium-high heat.
Add a little oil and cook the marinated chicken in batches. Cook until the chicken is browned and nearly cooked through.
Avoid overcrowding the pan because this can cause the chicken to steam instead of brown.
Remove the cooked chicken and set aside.
Step 3: Prepare the Butter Chicken Sauce
Melt 2 tablespoons of butter with the vegetable oil in the same pan.
Add the chopped onion and cook until softened and lightly golden.
Add the ginger-garlic paste and cook for about 30–60 seconds until fragrant.
Step 4: Add the Tomatoes and Spices
Add the tomato puree, Kashmiri chili powder, cumin, coriander, turmeric, and salt.
Stir well and cook the mixture over medium heat for approximately 10–15 minutes.
The sauce should become thicker and richer, and the oil may begin to separate slightly from the tomato mixture.
Step 5: Blend the Sauce
For an extra-smooth restaurant-style Butter Chicken sauce, transfer the sauce to a blender and blend until smooth.
Be careful when blending hot liquids. Alternatively, use an immersion blender directly in the pan.
Return the blended sauce to the skillet.
Step 6: Add the Chicken
Add the cooked chicken pieces to the sauce.
Pour in the water and stir well. Simmer for about 8–10 minutes, allowing the chicken to absorb the flavors of the curry.
Step 7: Add Cream and Butter
Reduce the heat to low and stir in the heavy cream.
Add the remaining tablespoon of butter and crushed kasuri methi.
Simmer gently for another 2–3 minutes. Avoid boiling the sauce vigorously after adding the cream.
Taste and adjust the salt, spices, or sugar as needed.
Step 8: Garnish and Serve
Garnish the Butter Chicken with fresh cilantro and, if desired, a small drizzle of cream.
Serve hot with basmati rice, garlic naan, butter naan, roti, or paratha.
Tips for Making the Best Butter Chicken
1. Use Chicken Thighs for Extra Juiciness
Boneless chicken thighs tend to stay more tender and juicy than chicken breast, making them an excellent choice for Butter Chicken.
Chicken breast works well too, but be careful not to overcook it.
2. Don't Skip the Marinade
The yogurt-based marinade helps tenderize the chicken while adding flavor. If possible, let the chicken marinate for several hours.
3. Brown the Chicken
Cooking the marinated chicken over relatively high heat creates browned edges and adds a delicious roasted flavor to the finished curry.
4. Cook the Tomato Sauce Properly
Don't rush the tomato sauce. Allowing it to cook until thick and aromatic helps develop a deeper flavor.
5. Use Kasuri Methi
Dried fenugreek leaves, or kasuri methi, are one of the signature ingredients in Butter Chicken. Crush them between your fingers before adding them to the sauce to release their aroma.
6. Balance the Flavors
A great Butter Chicken should have a balance of savory, buttery, tangy, mildly sweet, and aromatic flavors.
If the tomatoes taste too acidic, a small amount of sugar can help balance the sauce.
How Spicy Is Butter Chicken?
Traditional Butter Chicken is generally considered a mild to medium-spiced Indian curry.
Kashmiri chili powder gives the sauce a beautiful red color with relatively mild heat. If you prefer a spicier curry, add cayenne pepper, red chili powder, or fresh chili peppers.
For a milder version, reduce the chili powder and increase the cream slightly.
What to Serve With Butter Chicken
Butter Chicken pairs beautifully with a variety of Indian side dishes.
Naan
Soft naan is perfect for scooping up the creamy curry sauce.
Basmati Rice
Fluffy steamed basmati rice provides a simple and delicious base for the rich sauce.
Garlic Naan
Garlic naan adds another layer of flavor and is especially delicious with creamy Butter Chicken.
Jeera Rice
Cumin-flavored basmati rice is another excellent pairing.
Roti or Chapati
For a lighter option, serve Butter Chicken with whole-wheat roti or chapati.
Indian Salad
A simple salad made with cucumber, onion, tomato, lemon juice, and cilantro adds freshness to the meal.
Can I Make Butter Chicken Ahead of Time?
Yes. Butter Chicken is an excellent make-ahead meal.
Prepare the curry, allow it to cool, and refrigerate it in an airtight container. When ready to serve, gently reheat it over low to medium heat.
You may need to add a splash of water or cream if the sauce becomes too thick.
In fact, the flavors often become even more developed after resting overnight.
How to Store Butter Chicken
Allow leftover Butter Chicken to cool before transferring it to an airtight container.
Store it in the refrigerator and consume it within a few days.
For longer storage, Butter Chicken can also be frozen in freezer-safe containers. Thaw it in the refrigerator before reheating.
Reheat gently on the stovetop, adding a small amount of water or cream if necessary.
Can I Freeze Butter Chicken?
Yes, Butter Chicken freezes well.
For the best texture, you can freeze the chicken and sauce before adding the final cream. Add fresh cream when reheating.
If freezing the fully prepared curry, thaw it slowly in the refrigerator and reheat gently to help prevent the cream-based sauce from separating.
Can I Use Chicken Breast?
Absolutely. Chicken breast is a convenient alternative to chicken thighs.
Cut the chicken into evenly sized pieces and avoid overcooking it. Marinating the chicken in yogurt also helps keep it tender.
Can I Make Butter Chicken Without Cream?
Yes. If you want a lighter Butter Chicken, you can reduce the amount of cream or substitute it with a small amount of milk or plain yogurt.
Keep in mind that cream contributes significantly to the rich, silky texture associated with classic Butter Chicken.
Can I Make This Recipe Less Rich?
For a lighter version:
Reduce the butter
Use less cream
Choose chicken breast
Add more tomato puree
Serve with steamed rice instead of butter naan
The result will still be flavorful while being less rich.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Overcooking the Chicken
Overcooked chicken can become dry and tough. Cook the chicken until browned and nearly done, then allow it to finish cooking gently in the sauce.
Using Too Much Chili
Butter Chicken is known for its rich flavor rather than extreme heat. Start with a moderate amount of chili powder and increase it if desired.
Rushing the Tomato Sauce
Undercooked tomato sauce can taste sharp and acidic. Give it enough time to cook and develop flavor.
Boiling the Cream
Once cream is added, keep the heat low and avoid vigorous boiling.
Skipping Kasuri Methi
While optional, dried fenugreek leaves add an unmistakable aroma and can make homemade Butter Chicken taste much closer to restaurant-style curry.
Easy Butter Chicken Recipe Variations
Restaurant-Style Butter Chicken
For an especially rich version, use chicken thighs, butter, heavy cream, and a smooth blended tomato sauce.
Spicy Butter Chicken
Add cayenne pepper or finely chopped green chili to increase the heat.
Healthy Butter Chicken
Reduce the butter and cream, use chicken breast, and serve the curry with steamed basmati rice and vegetables.
Dairy-Free Butter Chicken
Use a dairy-free yogurt alternative for the marinade and replace butter and cream with suitable plant-based alternatives.
Slow Cooker Butter Chicken
Chicken and the tomato-based sauce can be cooked slowly, then finished with cream and butter near the end. This is a convenient option for meal preparation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Butter Chicken the same as Chicken Tikka Masala?
No. Although the two dishes are similar, they are distinct recipes. Butter Chicken is traditionally associated with a buttery, creamy tomato sauce and is generally milder. Chicken Tikka Masala can have a more pronounced tomato and spice profile.
Why is my Butter Chicken sauce too acidic?
The acidity usually comes from the tomatoes. Make sure the tomato sauce is cooked sufficiently. You can also balance excessive acidity with a small amount of sugar or additional cream.
Why is my Butter Chicken not creamy?
The creaminess depends on the amount of butter and cream used, as well as the consistency of the tomato sauce. Blending the sauce can also create a smoother texture.
Can I use store-bought tomato puree?
Yes. Store-bought tomato puree is convenient and works well. Choose a good-quality puree and adjust the seasoning according to its acidity and flavor.
How can I make Butter Chicken taste like a restaurant?
For a restaurant-style result, marinate the chicken well, brown it before adding it to the curry, cook the tomato sauce thoroughly, blend the sauce until smooth, and finish with butter, cream, and crushed kasuri methi.
Butter Chicken Recipe at a Glance
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Marinating Time: 30 minutes or longer
Cook Time: 30–35 minutes
Total Time: About 1 hour
Servings: 4–6
Cuisine: Indian
Course: Main Course
Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
Final Thoughts
This homemade Butter Chicken recipe is a delicious way to enjoy one of India's most beloved curries in your own kitchen. Tender marinated chicken, a rich tomato sauce, butter, cream, and aromatic spices come together to create a comforting dish that's packed with flavor.
Whether you're cooking for your family, preparing a special dinner, or simply craving Indian restaurant-style food, this easy Butter Chicken is a recipe worth adding to your regular dinner rotation.
Serve it with warm naan or fragrant basmati rice, garnish with fresh cilantro, and enjoy a creamy, flavorful Indian meal at home.