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 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
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
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.
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.
