Spicy Indian Butter Chicken
Enjoy the rich and aromatic flavors of Indian cuisine with this creamy butter chicken, simmered in a spiced tomato sauce and served with rice or naan. This indian-inspired indian ready in about 75 minutes pairs boneless chicken thighs, tomato puree, medium, diced onion 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, boneless chicken thighs
- 1 cup tomato puree
- 1 medium, diced onion
- 3 cloves, minced garlic
- 1 tbsp, grated ginger
- 1 tsp garam masala
- 1 tsp chili powder
- 2 tbsp butter
- 1/2 cup yogurt
- 1/2 cup cream
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add 1 diced onion and 3 minced garlic cloves, sauté for 3-4 minutes until golden. Stir in 1 tbsp grated ginger and cook for 1 minute.
- Step 2: Add 1.5 lbs chicken thighs and cook for 5-7 minutes until browned. Add 1 cup tomato puree, 1 tsp garam masala, 1 tsp chili powder, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Simmer for 25-30 minutes until chicken is tender.
- Step 3: In a separate bowl, mix 1/2 cup yogurt and 1/2 cup cream. Stir into the skillet and cook for 5 minutes until sauce thickens. Garnish with additional garam masala and serve with rice or naan.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Spicy Indian Butter Chicken take to make?
Total time is about 75 minutes (35 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 Spicy Indian Butter Chicken?
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 Spicy Indian Butter Chicken?
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 Spicy Indian Butter Chicken 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 Spicy Indian Butter Chicken?
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
- ★★★★☆
Good flavors but the sauce was a bit thin. I'd reduce it longer.
- ★★★★☆
Tasty recipe. I'd add a bit more seasoning next time.
- ★★★★☆
My family liked it. I personally would prefer more depth of flavor.
