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