Authentic Delhi Butter Chicken

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A rich, aromatic curry simmered with yogurt-marinated chicken and a luscious tomato-cashew sauce, reflecting Delhi's royal culinary heritage. This indian-inspired chicken ready in about 65 minutes pairs chicken thighs, ginger paste, garlic paste for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 500 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 30 min Cook: 35 min Serves 4 Indian cuisine 500 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a bowl, mix 1 lb chicken thighs with 2 tbsp ginger paste, 2 tbsp garlic paste, 1/2 cup yogurt, 1 tsp turmeric, 1 tsp cumin, 1 tsp coriander, 1/2 tsp cayenne, and salt. Marinate for 30 minutes.
  2. Step 2: Heat 1/4 cup vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat; add marinated chicken and cook for 5-7 minutes until golden brown on all sides. Remove chicken and set aside.
  3. Step 3: Add 1 finely chopped onion to skillet and cook for 7 minutes until golden brown, then stir in 2 tbsp tomato paste and cook for 1 minute until oil separates.
  4. Step 4: Return chicken to skillet, add 1 cup heavy cream and 1/4 cup butter, and stir in 2 tbsp garam masala. Simmer uncovered for 20 minutes until chicken is tender and sauce thickens.
  5. Step 5: Stir in 1/4 cup chopped cilantro and adjust seasoning with salt. Serve immediately over steamed basmati rice.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Authentic Delhi Butter Chicken take to make?

Total time is about 65 minutes (30 min prep + 35 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Authentic Delhi Butter Chicken?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep chicken thighs from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Authentic Delhi Butter Chicken?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Authentic Delhi Butter Chicken for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

What goes well with Authentic Delhi Butter Chicken?

Indian chicken like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.

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