Authentic Kashmiri Butter Chicken
A fragrant, creamy chicken curry from Kashmir that’s traditionally slow-simmered with saffron and nuts—rich but never heavy, with floral notes. This indian-inspired chicken ready in about 55 minutes pairs chicken breast, plain yogurt, ginger paste for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 390 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
- 500g chicken breast
- 1/2 cup plain yogurt
- 1 tbsp ginger paste
- 1 tbsp garlic paste
- 1 tsp turmeric
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1 tsp coriander
- 1/2 tsp garam masala
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 2 tbsp butter
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/4 tsp saffron threads
- 1/4 cup almonds
- 1/2 tsp salt
Instructions
- Step 1: In a bowl, mix 500g chicken breast cubes with 1/2 cup yogurt, 1 tbsp ginger paste, 1 tbsp garlic paste, 1 tsp turmeric, 1 tsp cumin, 1 tsp coriander, and 1/2 tsp salt. Marinate for 30 minutes.
- Step 2: Heat 1 tbsp butter in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add marinated chicken and cook for 5-7 minutes until golden brown on all sides.
- Step 3: Add 2 tbsp tomato paste and cook for 2 minutes, stirring constantly to deepen flavor.
- Step 4: Stir in 1/2 cup heavy cream, 1/2 tsp garam masala, and 1/4 tsp saffron threads steeped in 1 tbsp warm water. Reduce heat to low and simmer for 10 minutes.
- Step 5: Stir in 1/4 cup chopped almonds and remaining 1 tbsp butter. Cook for 2 more minutes until sauce is glossy and coats the chicken.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Authentic Kashmiri Butter Chicken take to make?
Total time is about 55 minutes (30 min prep + 25 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 Kashmiri 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 breast from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Authentic Kashmiri 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 Kashmiri 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 Kashmiri 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.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Restaurant quality! Can't believe how easy this was.
- ★★★★☆
Nice recipe! Presentation was beautiful. Flavor was good, not great.
- ★★★★☆
Almost perfect — just needed a squeeze of lemon at the end.
