The Most Flavorful Butter Chicken

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A smoky and tangy tomato-based chicken curry with a rich buttery finish, perfect with naan or rice. This indian ready in about 60 minutes pairs bone-in chicken legs, medium, diced onion, medium, chopped tomato for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 520 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.

Prep: 20 min Cook: 40 min Serves 4 Indian cuisine 520 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add 3 cloves garlic and 1 tbsp ginger, sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant. Add 2 medium onions, stir until golden brown, about 5 minutes.
  2. Step 2: Stir in 3 chopped tomatoes, 1/2 tsp turmeric, 1 tsp cumin, 1 tsp coriander, and 1 tsp garam masala. Cook for 5 minutes until tomatoes break down and the mixture thickens.
  3. Step 3: Add 500g chicken legs, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp pepper. Cook for 8 minutes until chicken is browned on all sides.
  4. Step 4: Pour in 2 tbsp butter, stir until melted. Cook for 5 minutes until the sauce becomes glossy and the chicken is fully cooked.
  5. Step 5: Serve with steamed basmati rice or naan, garnished with fresh cilantro.

Frequently asked questions

How long does The Most Flavorful Butter Chicken take to make?

Total time is about 60 minutes (20 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 The Most Flavorful 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 bone-in chicken legs from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in The Most Flavorful 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 Most Flavorful 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 Most Flavorful 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.

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