Serious Butter Chicken (Murgh Makhani)

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

A classic Indian dish featuring succulent chicken in a creamy tomato sauce, enriched with butter and spices, served with fragrant basmati rice. This indian ready in about 60 minutes pairs chicken breast, plain yogurt, fresh ginger for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 580 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.

★ 4.0 (10 ratings) Prep: 20 min Cook: 40 min Serves 4 Indian cuisine 580 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Cut chicken into 1-inch cubes and place in a bowl. Add 1/2 cup plain yogurt, 1 tbsp grated ginger, 2 minced garlic cloves, 1/2 tsp ground turmeric, 1 tsp ground cumin, 1 tsp ground coriander, 1/2 tsp paprika, and 1/2 tsp salt. Mix well and marinate for 20 minutes.
  2. Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the marinated chicken and cook for 5-6 minutes per side until golden and cooked through. Remove and set aside.
  3. Step 3: In the same skillet, add the tomato puree and cook for 3 minutes until the raw taste dissipates. Stir in 1/2 cup heavy cream and 1 tsp garam masala, then return the chicken to the skillet. Simmer for 5 minutes until sauce thickens slightly.
  4. Step 4: Stir in 1 tbsp chopped cilantro and heat through. Serve hot with cooked basmati rice.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Serious Butter Chicken (Murgh Makhani) take to make?

Total time is about 60 minutes (20 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 Serious Butter Chicken (Murgh Makhani)?

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 breast from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Serious Butter Chicken (Murgh Makhani)?

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 Serious Butter Chicken (Murgh Makhani) 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 Serious Butter Chicken (Murgh Makhani)?

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.

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