Quick & Easy Homemade Butter Chicken – Creamy, Flavorful & Comforting

Butter Chicken (Murgh Makhani) is one of the most iconic dishes of Indian cuisine—creamy, rich, and packed with flavor. Traditionally made with marinated chicken cooked in a tomato-based sauce enriched with cream and butter, this recipe delivers all the authentic flavors you crave without the long cooking times.

Perfect for a weeknight dinner or when you want to impress guests, this quick & easy homemade butter chicken uses simple ingredients you likely already have at home. Serve it with warm naan, fluffy basmati rice, or roti for the ultimate comfort meal.

🌟 Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Authentic taste, simplified – No hours of marinating needed.
• One-pan wonder – Easy cleanup with minimal steps.
• Rich & creamy – The sauce is perfectly spiced and velvety smooth.
• Customizable – Adjust spice levels to suit your taste.
• Better than takeout – Ready in under 40 minutes!

🧾 Ingredients

• 1 ½ lbs boneless chicken thighs (cut into bite-sized pieces)
• 2 tbsp butter
• 1 tbsp oil
• 1 large onion (finely chopped)
• 3 cloves garlic (minced)
• 1 tbsp fresh ginger (grated)
• 1 cup tomato puree
• ½ cup heavy cream (or coconut cream for dairy-free)
• ½ cup plain yogurt
• 2 tsp garam masala
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• 1 tsp ground coriander
• 1 tsp paprika
• ½ tsp chili powder (adjust to spice level)
• ½ tsp turmeric
• 1 tsp salt (to taste)
• ¼ cup fresh cilantro (chopped, for garnish)

🥄 Instructions

1. Cook chicken – Heat oil and 1 tbsp butter in a skillet. Add chicken pieces and cook until golden brown (about 6–7 minutes). Remove and set aside.
2. Make base sauce – In the same skillet, add remaining butter. Sauté onions until golden, then stir in garlic and ginger.
3. Add spices – Mix in garam masala, cumin, coriander, paprika, chili powder, and turmeric. Cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
4. Tomato & cream – Stir in tomato puree and cook for 5 minutes. Reduce heat, then stir in yogurt and cream until smooth.
5. Simmer with chicken – Return chicken to the pan. Simmer for 10–15 minutes until chicken is tender and sauce thickens.
6. Garnish & serve – Sprinkle fresh cilantro on top. Serve hot with naan or rice.

🌿 Tips & Variations

• Lighter option: Swap cream for milk or coconut milk.
• Extra smoky flavor: Grill or broil chicken before adding to sauce.
• Spicy version: Add green chilies or extra chili powder.
• Make ahead: Sauce can be made a day ahead and reheated with chicken.

Quick & Easy Homemade Butter Chicken

Rich, creamy, and full of flavor, this homemade butter chicken is a quick version of the Indian classic that’s ready in under 40 minutes.

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Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 25 minutes mins

Total Time 40 minutes mins

Servings: 4 servings

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: Indian

Calories: 390

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients

  

• 1.5 lbs boneless chicken thighs cut into bite-sized pieces
• 2 tbsp butter divided
• 1 tbsp oil
• 1 large onion finely chopped
• 3 cloves garlic minced
• 1 tbsp fresh ginger grated
• 1 cup tomato puree
• 0.5 cup heavy cream or coconut cream
• 0.5 cup plain yogurt
• 2 tsp garam masala
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• 1 tsp ground coriander
• 1 tsp paprika
• 0.5 tsp chili powder
• 0.5 tsp turmeric
• 1 tsp salt to taste
• 0.25 cup fresh cilantro chopped, for garnish

Equipment

• Skillet or deep pan
• Mixing bowls
• Wooden spoon
• Measuring cups and spoons

Method

 

1. Heat oil and 1 tbsp butter in a skillet. Add chicken pieces and cook until golden brown. Remove and set aside.
2. Add remaining butter, sauté onions until golden, then add garlic and ginger.
3. Stir in garam masala, cumin, coriander, paprika, chili powder, and turmeric. Cook 1 minute.
4. Add tomato puree and cook 5 minutes. Reduce heat and stir in yogurt and cream until smooth.
5. Return chicken to the pan. Simmer 10–15 minutes until tender and sauce thickens.
6. Garnish with cilantro and serve hot with naan or rice.

Notes

For best flavor, marinate chicken in yogurt and spices for 1–2 hours before cooking, but this step is optional.