Butter Chicken
Mild, rich, and creamy — the iconic North Indian dish loved worldwide. This indian ready in about 115 minutes pairs chicken thighs, butter, tomato puree for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 580 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
- 2 lbs chicken thighs
- 6 tbsp butter
- 15 oz tomato puree
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 2 tsp garam masala
- 1 tbsp fenugreek leaves
- 2 tbsp ginger garlic paste
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Marinate chicken in yogurt, half the garam masala 1 hour.
- Step 2: Grill or pan-sear chicken until charred outside.
- Step 3: Melt butter, sauté ginger garlic paste until fragrant.
- Step 4: Add tomato puree, simmer 15 min.
- Step 5: Add cream, fenugreek, chicken; cook 10 min and serve with naan.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Butter Chicken take to make?
Total time is about 115 minutes (75 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 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 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 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 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.
