The Best Indian Butter Chicken
Creamy, aromatic chicken in a rich tomato-based sauce that's the best you'll find outside of a restaurant — tender chicken with smoky depth. This indian-inspired chicken ready in about 65 minutes pairs plain yogurt, lemon juice, ground cumin for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 620 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 and skinless, cut into 1-inch pieces chicken thighs
- 1/4 cup plain yogurt
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp ground coriander
- 1/2 tsp ground turmeric
- 1/2 tsp (optional) cayenne pepper
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter
- 1 large, finely chopped onion
- 3 cloves, minced garlic
- 1 tbsp, minced fresh ginger
- 1 can (14 oz) diced tomatoes
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/4 cup, chopped fresh cilantro
- for serving basmati rice
Instructions
- Step 1: In a bowl, mix 1.5 lbs chicken thighs with 1/4 cup yogurt, 2 tbsp lemon juice, 1 tsp cumin, 1 tsp coriander, 1/2 tsp turmeric, and 1/2 tsp cayenne (if using). Marinate for 30 minutes.
- Step 2: Heat 1/2 cup butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add marinated chicken and cook until golden brown on all sides (5-7 minutes), then remove and set aside.
- Step 3: In the same skillet, cook 1 finely chopped onion until golden (8 minutes). Add 3 minced garlic cloves and 1 tbsp minced ginger, cooking for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Step 4: Stir in 1 can (14 oz) diced tomatoes and cook for 5 minutes until tomatoes break down and oil separates.
- Step 5: Return chicken to skillet, add 1/2 cup heavy cream, and simmer covered for 15 minutes until chicken is cooked through.
- Step 6: Stir in 1/4 cup chopped cilantro and adjust salt to taste. Serve over cooked basmati rice.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does The Best Indian Butter Chicken take to make?
Total time is about 65 minutes (30 min prep + 35 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 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 plain yogurt from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in The Best 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 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 Indian Butter Chicken?
Indian chicken 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
- ★★★★☆
Solid recipe. Not groundbreaking but definitely making it again.
- ★★★☆☆
Not bad. Would need significant modifications to make it a regular.
