Authentic Indian Butter Chicken with Basmati Rice

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-03-26 · Updated 2026-03-26

Tender chicken simmered in a creamy tomato-based sauce with butter, cream, and aromatic spices, served with fragrant basmati rice. This Indian recipe, ready in about 60 minutes, pairs chicken thighs, basmati rice, tomatoes for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 620 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.

Ingredients

• 1.5 lbs, cubed chicken thighs
• 1.5 cups basmati rice
• 4 large, pureed tomatoes
• 4 tbsp butter
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 1.5 tsp garam masala
• 1 tsp cumin
• 1/2 tsp turmeric
• 1 tbsp sugar
• 1.5 tsp salt

The pan we’d use for this → Best Nonstick Cookware for 2026: Top 5 Skillet Picks + Buying Guide

Instructions

1. Step 1: Rinse 1.5 cups basmati rice, soak 20 minutes, then drain. In a pot, bring 3 cups water to a boil, add rice, and cook 12-15 minutes until tender. Keep warm.
2. Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp butter in a skillet over medium heat. Add 1.5 lbs chicken thighs and cook 5 minutes until browned. Add 1 tsp cumin, 1/2 tsp turmeric, and 1 tbsp sugar. Stir 2 minutes.
3. Step 3: Pour in 4 pureed tomatoes, 1.5 tsp garam masala, and 1.5 tsp salt. Simmer 10 minutes. Stir in 1/2 cup heavy cream and 2 tbsp butter. Cook 5 minutes until sauce thickens. Serve over rice.