Rich Indian Butter Chicken

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-04-03 · Updated 2026-04-03

A creamy, mildly spicy curry made with slow-cooked chicken in a fragrant tomato-based sauce, finished with butter for a velvety texture. This Indian-inspired chicken recipe, ready in about 65 minutes, pairs chicken thighs, onion, tomatoes for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 500 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

• 1.5 lbs chicken thighs
• 1, diced onion
• 4 medium, chopped tomatoes
• 1 tbsp, grated ginger
• 2 cloves, minced garlic
• 1 tsp garam masala
• 1/2 tsp turmeric
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp cardamom
• 1/2 cup cream
• 2 tbsp butter
• 1 tbsp coconut oil

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Instructions

1. Step 1: Heat 1 tbsp coconut oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add 1 diced onion and sauté for 5 minutes until golden.
2. Step 2: Add 4 chopped tomatoes, 1 tbsp grated ginger, 2 minced garlic cloves, 1 tsp garam masala, 1/2 tsp turmeric, 1/2 tsp cinnamon, and 1/2 tsp cardamom. Cook for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the tomatoes break down.
3. Step 3: Add 1.5 lbs chicken thighs and cook for 8-10 minutes until browned. Add 1/2 cup cream and 2 tbsp butter, stirring until the sauce thickens and coats the chicken.
4. Step 4: Simmer for 15 minutes, then serve with basmati rice and a side of naan or roti.