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Top-down view of a rich and creamy butter chicken dish served in a large black skillet. The thick tomato and cream-based gravy surrounds tender chicken chunks, making the dish look warm, comforting, and flavorful. The white marble countertop and simple background highlight the orange-colored curry, creating an inviting presentation of this classic Indian dish.

Butter Chicken Recipe

This buttery, creamy butter chicken features tender chicken pieces simmered in a rich tomato and spice sauce, delivering authentic Indian flavors in a simple, home-cooked meal everyone will love.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine Indian
Servings 6
Calories 880 kcal

Equipment

  • Large skillet or deep pan
  • Wooden Spoon or Spatula
  • Knife and chopping board
  • Measuring spoons and cups
  • Can Opener
  • Mixing bowl (optional)

Ingredients
  

  • 1 cup butter divided
  • 1 onion minced
  • 1 tablespoon minced garlic
  • 1 15 ounce can tomato sauce
  • 3 cups heavy cream
  • 2 teaspoons salt
  • 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • 1 teaspoon garam masala
  • 1 ½ pounds skinless boneless chicken breast, cut into bite-sized chunks
  • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
  • 2 tablespoons tandoori masala

Instructions
 

  • Heat ½ cup butter in a large pan over medium heat. Add minced onion and sauté until golden.
    Top-down view of the beginning stage of making butter chicken. In a large black skillet placed on a white marble countertop, ½ cup of butter is melting, and finely minced onions are being sautéed to a golden brown. This step builds the base flavor of the dish, with a clean and simple setup to highlight the ingredients and cooking process.
  • Stir in minced garlic and cook for 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
  • Add chicken chunks and cook until lightly browned on all sides.
    Top-down view of bite-sized chunks of boneless skinless chicken breast added to a black skillet already containing golden onions and garlic. The chicken is beginning to brown slightly on all sides. This essential step sets up the protein base of the butter chicken, with the white marble countertop providing a clean, professional backdrop to the process.
  • Mix in tandoori masala, salt, cayenne pepper, and garam masala; cook for 2 minutes.
    Top-down view of chicken chunks in a black skillet being coated with aromatic spices including tandoori masala, salt, cayenne pepper, and garam masala. The skillet sits on a white marble countertop. This step is crucial for building the vibrant, spicy flavor profile of butter chicken, blending rich seasonings directly into the protein as it cooks.
  • Pour in tomato sauce, stir well, and let it simmer for 10 minutes.
    Top-down view of tomato sauce being poured into a black skillet containing chicken and a mixture of Indian spices. The ingredients are stirred together and set to simmer on a white marble countertop. This step brings acidity and color to the butter chicken, helping the sauce develop its classic red-orange hue while deepening the flavor.
  • Add heavy cream and remaining butter; stir and cook for another 10-15 minutes until the sauce thickens and chicken is cooked through.
  • Taste and adjust salt or spices as needed. Serve hot.
    Top-down view of a rich and creamy butter chicken dish served in a large black skillet. The thick tomato and cream-based gravy surrounds tender chicken chunks, making the dish look warm, comforting, and flavorful. The white marble countertop and simple background highlight the orange-colored curry, creating an inviting presentation of this classic Indian dish.