Delhi-Style Butter Chicken with Creamy Tomato Sauce

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A rich, aromatic Indian classic with tender chicken bathed in a velvety tomato-cream sauce, inspired by Delhi's iconic restaurant cuisine. This indian-inspired quick meals ready in about 55 minutes pairs boneless chicken thighs, tomato puree, heavy cream for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 480 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.

★ 4.1 (10 ratings) Prep: 25 min Cook: 30 min Serves 4 Indian cuisine 480 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Heat 1 tablespoon vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken cubes and cook for 4-5 minutes until golden brown on all sides, then remove and set aside.
  2. Step 2: In the same skillet, add remaining 1 tablespoon oil, then sauté onions until golden brown (5-6 minutes). Add minced garlic and grated ginger, cooking for 1 minute until fragrant.
  3. Step 3: Stir in tomato puree, salt, garam masala, and fenugreek leaves, then simmer uncovered for 8 minutes until the sauce thickens and coats the back of a spoon.
  4. Step 4: Return chicken to the skillet, add heavy cream and saffron milk mixture, and simmer for 10 minutes over low heat until chicken is cooked through and sauce is rich and creamy.
  5. Step 5: Stir in fresh cilantro and serve hot with basmati rice or naan.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Delhi-Style Butter Chicken with Creamy Tomato Sauce take to make?

Total time is about 55 minutes (25 min prep + 30 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 Delhi-Style Butter Chicken with Creamy Tomato Sauce?

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 boneless chicken thighs from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Delhi-Style Butter Chicken with Creamy Tomato Sauce?

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 Delhi-Style Butter Chicken with Creamy Tomato Sauce 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 Delhi-Style Butter Chicken with Creamy Tomato Sauce?

Indian quick meals 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.

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