Butter Chicken (North Indian)
A rich, creamy curry made with marinated chicken, tomatoes, and a blend of aromatic spices. This indian-inspired chicken ready in about 65 minutes pairs chicken thighs, tomatoes, yogurt for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 420 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
- 1.2 lbs chicken thighs
- 2 medium, diced tomatoes
- 1/2 cup yogurt
- 1/2 cup cream
- 1 small, diced onion
- 3 cloves, minced garlic
- 1 tsp garam masala
- 1/2 tsp turmeric
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tbsp grated peel of 1 lemon
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: In a bowl, mix 1.2 lbs chicken thighs with 1/2 cup yogurt, 1 tsp garam masala, 1/2 tsp turmeric, 1 tsp salt, and 1 tbsp grated lemon peel. Marinate for 30 minutes.
- Step 2: Heat 1 tbsp oil in a large pan. Sauté 1 small diced onion and 3 minced garlic cloves until golden, about 5 minutes.
- Step 3: Add 2 diced tomatoes and cook until softened, then stir in 1/2 cup cream. Return chicken to the pan, simmer for 15-20 minutes until tender.
- Step 4: Garnish with fresh cilantro and serve with rice or naan.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Butter Chicken (North Indian) 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 Butter Chicken (North Indian)?
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 (North Indian)?
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 (North Indian) 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 (North Indian)?
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
- ★★★★★
This has become our go-to general dish. We make it weekly.
- ★★★★☆
Almost perfect — just needed a squeeze of lemon at the end.
- ★★★★☆
Tasty recipe. I'd add a bit more seasoning next time.
