Creamy Homemade Butter Chicken with Warm Naan
A restaurant-style butter chicken made with tender chicken in a rich, aromatic tomato cream sauce, served with soft naan bread for the ultimate comfort meal. This indian ready in about 45 minutes pairs heavy cream, tomato paste, medium, finely chopped onion for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 380 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 lb, cut into 1-inch cubes boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 medium, finely chopped onion
- 3 cloves, minced garlic
- 1 tbsp, grated fresh ginger
- 1 tsp garam masala
- 1/2 tsp ground cumin
- 1/2 tsp ground coriander
- 1/4 tsp, soaked in 1 tbsp warm water saffron threads
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 2 tbsp, chopped fresh cilantro
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp unsalted butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add 1 medium finely chopped onion and cook for 5 minutes until golden and translucent.
- Step 2: Stir in 3 minced garlic cloves, 1 tbsp grated ginger, 1 tsp garam masala, 1/2 tsp ground cumin, and 1/2 tsp ground coriander; cook for 1 minute until fragrant. Add 2 tbsp tomato paste and cook for 2 minutes to deepen flavor.
- Step 3: Add 1 lb cubed chicken breasts, 1/2 cup heavy cream, 1/4 tsp saffron threads (with soaking water), and 1/2 tsp salt. Simmer for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until chicken is cooked through and sauce thickens. Stir in 2 tbsp chopped cilantro before serving.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Creamy Homemade Butter Chicken with Warm Naan take to make?
Total time is about 45 minutes (20 min prep + 25 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 Homemade Butter Chicken with Warm Naan?
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 heavy cream from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Creamy Homemade Butter Chicken with Warm Naan?
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 Homemade Butter Chicken with Warm Naan 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 Homemade Butter Chicken with Warm Naan?
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.
What others are saying
- ★★★★☆
My family liked it. I personally would prefer more depth of flavor.
- ★★★☆☆
Average. The concept is good but execution needs work on seasoning.
- ★★★☆☆
It was fine. Came out a bit bland for my taste.
