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
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
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.
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.
