The Best Ever Indian Butter Chicken
A rich, creamy, and aromatic Indian curry made with tender chicken in a luscious tomato-based sauce, finished with a touch of butter and fresh herbs for a dish that's the best takeout alternative. This indian-inspired indian ready in about 45 minutes pairs tomato puree, heavy cream, butter for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 450 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, skinless, cut into 1-inch pieces chicken thighs
- 1/2 cup tomato puree
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/4 cup butter
- 2 tbsp garam masala
- 1 tbsp ground cumin
- 1 tbsp ground coriander
- 1/2 cup, chopped onion
- 2, minced garlic cloves
- 1 tbsp, minced fresh ginger
- 1/2 tsp (optional) cayenne pepper
- 1/4 cup, chopped fresh cilantro
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- to taste salt
Instructions
- Step 1: Melt 1/4 cup butter in a large skillet over medium heat, add 1/2 cup chopped onion, and cook until golden (5 minutes), then stir in 2 minced garlic cloves and 1 tbsp minced fresh ginger, sautéing for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Step 2: Add 1.5 lbs chicken thigh pieces, 2 tbsp garam masala, 1 tbsp ground cumin, 1 tbsp ground coriander, and 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper (if using), and cook for 5 minutes until chicken is lightly browned on all sides.
- Step 3: Stir in 1/2 cup tomato puree and 1/2 cup heavy cream, reduce heat to low, and simmer for 10 minutes until sauce thickens and coats the back of a spoon; stir in 1/4 cup chopped cilantro and 1 tbsp lemon juice, then season with salt to taste.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does The Best Ever Indian Butter Chicken take to make?
Total time is about 45 minutes (20 min prep + 25 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 The Best Ever 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 tomato puree from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in The Best Ever 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 The Best Ever 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 The Best Ever 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
- ★★★★★
Absolutely wonderful.
- ★★★★★
Used half the salt and it was still plenty flavorful.
- ★★★★★
My whole family loved this.
