Creamy Butter Chicken Curry

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Tender chicken pieces simmered in a rich tomato-based curry with aromatic spices, finished with a velvety cream sauce for a restaurant-quality Indian classic. This indian-inspired chicken ready in about 35 minutes pairs cut into 1-inch cubes Chicken breast, Butter, medium, finely chopped Onion for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 450 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.

★ 4.5 (13 ratings) Prep: 15 min Cook: 20 min Serves 4 Indian cuisine 450 cal/serving
Plan a meal with the AI → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Pat 1.5 lbs chicken cubes dry with paper towels and season with 1/2 tsp salt.
  2. Step 2: Melt 2 tbsp butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 1 finely chopped onion and cook for 5 minutes until golden and translucent.
  3. Step 3: Stir in 3 minced garlic cloves and 1 tbsp minced ginger, cooking for 1 minute until fragrant.
  4. Step 4: Add 1 cup canned tomato sauce, 1 tsp garam masala, 1/2 tsp turmeric, 1/2 tsp cumin, 1/2 tsp coriander, and 1/2 tsp sugar. Simmer for 5 minutes until the sauce thickens.
  5. Step 5: Add chicken cubes and cook for 8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until no longer pink.
  6. Step 6: Stir in 1/2 cup heavy cream and cook for 3 more minutes until the sauce is creamy and coats the back of a spoon.
  7. Step 7: Garnish with 2 tbsp chopped cilantro before serving.

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Knives & cutting boards → Shop all kitchen tools →

Frequently asked questions

How long does Creamy Butter Chicken Curry take to make?

Total time is about 35 minutes (15 min prep + 20 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 Creamy Butter Chicken Curry?

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 butter from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Creamy Butter Chicken Curry?

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 Creamy Butter Chicken Curry 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 Creamy Butter Chicken Curry?

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

Related recipes