Authentic North Indian Butter Chicken
A rich, creamy tomato curry with tender chicken, slow-simmered to capture the true essence of Delhi's kitchens. This indian-inspired chicken ready in about 65 minutes pairs chicken thighs, plain yogurt, tablespoon ginger paste for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 600 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 thighs
- 1/4 cup plain yogurt
- 1 tablespoon ginger paste
- 1 tablespoon garlic paste
- 1 teaspoon cumin powder
- 1 teaspoon coriander powder
- 1/2 teaspoon turmeric
- 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 1 large onion
- 1 cup tomato puree
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 teaspoon garam masala
Instructions
- Step 1: In a bowl, combine 500g chicken thighs with 1/4 cup yogurt, 1 tablespoon ginger paste, 1 tablespoon garlic paste, 1 teaspoon cumin, 1 teaspoon coriander, 1/2 teaspoon turmeric, 1/2 teaspoon cayenne, and salt. Marinate for 30 minutes.
- Step 2: Heat 2 tablespoons vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Brown marinated chicken pieces for 5-6 minutes until golden on all sides, then set aside.
- Step 3: Cook 1 large finely chopped onion in the same skillet until golden (5 minutes), then add 2 tablespoons tomato paste and cook for 1 minute until darkened.
- Step 4: Stir in 1 cup tomato puree and simmer for 10 minutes until sauce thickens. Add browned chicken and simmer for 15 minutes on low heat.
- Step 5: Stir in 1/2 cup heavy cream and 2 tablespoons butter until melted and glossy. Add 1 teaspoon garam masala and simmer for 5 more minutes until sauce coats the back of a spoon. Adjust salt if needed and garnish with fresh cilantro.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Authentic North Indian Butter Chicken take to make?
Total time is about 65 minutes (25 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 North Indian 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 North Indian 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 North Indian 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 North Indian 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
- ★★★★☆
Good flavors but the sauce was a bit thin. I'd reduce it longer.
- ★★★★☆
Really good but took about 10 minutes longer than stated.
- ★★★★☆
Good flavors but the sauce was a bit thin. I'd reduce it longer.
