Best-Spiced Butter Chicken with Basmati Rice
An authentic Indian curry where the 'best' balance of spices creates a rich, aromatic sauce that perfectly complements fluffy rice. This indian ready in about 60 minutes pairs boneless chicken thighs, heavy cream, tomato puree for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 680 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 lb, cut into 1-inch cubes boneless chicken thighs
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup tomato puree
- 1 tbsp, grated ginger
- 2 cloves, minced garlic
- 1 medium, finely chopped onion
- 1 tsp garam masala
- 1/2 tsp turmeric
- 1/2 tsp ground cumin
- 1 cup, rinsed basmati rice
- 2 cups water
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 1 tbsp oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sear 1 lb chicken thighs in batches until golden brown (3-4 minutes per batch), then set aside.
- Step 2: In the same skillet, cook 1 medium finely chopped onion for 5 minutes until golden. Add 1 tbsp grated ginger and 2 minced garlic cloves, cooking for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Step 3: Stir in 1/2 tsp turmeric, 1/2 tsp ground cumin, 1 tsp garam masala, and 1/2 cup tomato puree. Cook for 2 minutes, then add 1/2 cup heavy cream and 1/2 cup water, stirring until smooth.
- Step 4: Return chicken to the skillet, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes until chicken is cooked through. Meanwhile, cook 1 cup rinsed basmati rice with 2 cups water until fluffy (18 minutes). Serve curry over rice with extra cream drizzled on top.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Best-Spiced Butter Chicken with Basmati Rice take to make?
Total time is about 60 minutes (25 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 Best-Spiced Butter Chicken with Basmati Rice?
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 boneless chicken thighs from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Best-Spiced Butter Chicken with Basmati Rice?
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 Best-Spiced Butter Chicken with Basmati Rice 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 Best-Spiced Butter Chicken with Basmati Rice?
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.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Brought this to a potluck and it was the first dish to disappear.
- ★★★★☆
Good flavors but the sauce was a bit thin. I'd reduce it longer.
- ★★★★☆
Very good for a 35-minute recipe. Would bump up the spice level though.
