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Quick and Creamy Homemade Butter Chicken

Close-up of vibrant, orange-red butter chicken pieces swimming in a rich, creamy sauce, garnished with fresh cilantro.
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Make restaurant-quality Butter Chicken at home in under 35 minutes. This recipe delivers a rich, velvety tomato cream sauce perfect for a weeknight dinner.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into 1-inch pieces
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 medium onion, finely chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon ground coriander
  • 1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon garam masala
  • 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
  • 1 (14.5 ounce) can crushed tomatoes
  • 1/2 cup chicken broth
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1 teaspoon sugar
  • 1 teaspoon salt, or to taste
  • 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped (for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Season the chicken pieces lightly with salt and pepper.
  2. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet or pot over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook until lightly browned on all sides, about 5-7 minutes. Remove the chicken and set it aside.
  3. Reduce the heat to medium. Add the chopped onion to the skillet and cook until softened, about 4 minutes.
  4. Add the minced garlic and grated ginger. Cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
  5. Stir in the cumin, coriander, turmeric, garam masala, and cayenne pepper. Cook the spices for 30 seconds, stirring constantly.
  6. Pour in the crushed tomatoes and chicken broth. Bring the mixture to a simmer.
  7. Return the cooked chicken to the skillet. Reduce the heat to low, cover, and let it simmer for 10 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
  8. Stir in the heavy cream, butter, and sugar. Cook uncovered for another 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce is heated through and slightly thickened. Do not boil after adding the cream.
  9. Taste and adjust salt as needed. Garnish with fresh cilantro before serving.

Notes

  • For an extra smooth sauce, carefully blend the sauce mixture with an immersion blender before adding the cream and butter.
  • Serve this Butter Chicken immediately over basmati rice or with warm naan bread for dipping.
  • If you prefer a milder flavor, omit the cayenne pepper entirely.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://afripaket.com/quick-easy-creamy-butter-chicken-recipe/