Butter Chicken Biryani
Rich and creamy Indian dish with marinated chicken, aromatic basmati rice, and a velvety tomato-mint sauce. This indian-inspired one pot (vegetarian-option) ready in about 60 minutes pairs basmati rice, chicken thighs, tomatoes 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 cups basmati rice
- 1.5 lbs chicken thighs
- 4 tomatoes
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1 tsp garam masala
- 1/2 cup yogurt
- 2 tbsp grated ginger
- 4 cloves garlic
- 2 tbsp oil
- 1.5 tsp salt
Instructions
- Step 1: Soak 2 cups basmati rice in water for 30 minutes. Drain and set aside. In a large pot, cook rice with 2 cups water, 1 tsp salt, and 1 tbsp oil until half done (about 8 minutes). Remove and set aside.
- Step 2: In a skillet, heat 1 tbsp oil. Add chicken thighs (1.5 lbs), skin side down, and cook 5 minutes per side until golden. Remove and set aside.
- Step 3: In the same skillet, sauté 2 tbsp grated ginger and 4 minced garlic cloves (4 cloves) for 30 seconds. Add 4 chopped tomatoes (4), 1/2 cup yogurt, 1/2 cup heavy cream, 1 tsp garam masala, and 1/2 tsp salt. Simmer 10 minutes until sauce thickens.
- Step 4: Layer cooked rice, chicken, and sauce in a deep dish. Cover and steam 10 minutes. Let rest 10 minutes before serving.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Butter Chicken Biryani 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 Butter Chicken Biryani?
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 basmati rice from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Butter Chicken Biryani?
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 Biryani 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.
Is Butter Chicken Biryani vegetarian-option?
Yes — this recipe is tagged vegetarian-option based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
So much better than takeout. We'll never order indian delivery again.
- ★★★★☆
Almost perfect — just needed a squeeze of lemon at the end.
