Authentic Madras-Style Butter Chicken

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A true South Indian rendition of butter chicken featuring tender chicken in a rich tomato-cream sauce, perfected with traditional spice balancing. This indian-inspired indian ready in about 60 minutes pairs chicken thighs, plain yogurt, lemon juice for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 450 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.

★ 3.9 (14 ratings) Prep: 20 min Cook: 40 min Serves 4 Indian cuisine 450 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Pat 1.5 lbs chicken thighs dry, then mix with 1/4 cup yogurt, 1 tbsp lemon juice, 1 tsp cumin, 1 tsp coriander, 1/2 tsp turmeric, 1/4 tsp cayenne, and salt. Marinate 30 minutes at room temperature.
  2. Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken and cook 5-7 minutes until golden brown on all sides, then set aside.
  3. Step 3: Sauté 1 large chopped onion in the same skillet for 5 minutes until golden brown. Add minced 3 garlic cloves and 1-inch minced ginger, cooking 1 minute until fragrant.
  4. Step 4: Stir in 1/2 cup tomato puree and cook 3-4 minutes until raw taste disappears and mixture thickens slightly.
  5. Step 5: Return chicken to skillet, add 1/2 cup heavy cream, and simmer covered on low heat for 15 minutes until chicken is cooked through.
  6. Step 6: Stir in 2 tbsp butter and 1/4 cup chopped cilantro, cooking 1 minute until butter melts and sauce becomes glossy.

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Authentic Madras-Style Butter Chicken take to make?

Total time is about 60 minutes (20 min prep + 40 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 Madras-Style 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 Madras-Style 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 Madras-Style 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 Madras-Style Butter Chicken?

Indian indian 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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