Easy 30-Minute Butter Chicken Recipe
Easy 30-Minute Butter Chicken
Ingredients
- 1.5 lbs chicken breast, cubed
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- 1 large onion, diced
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tbsp fresh ginger, grated
- 1 tbsp garam masala
- 1 tsp turmeric
- 1 tsp paprika
- 3 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 cup crushed tomatoes
- ½ cup chicken broth
- ½ cup heavy cream
- 2 tbsp butter
- Salt to taste
- Fresh cilantro for garnish
Instructions
- Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season chicken with salt and cook until golden brown, about 3-4 minutes per side. Remove and set aside.
- In the same skillet, melt butter. Add onion and cook until soft, about 3-4 minutes.
- Add garlic, ginger, garam masala, turmeric, and paprika. Cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Stir in tomato paste and cook for 1 minute.
- Add crushed tomatoes and chicken broth, scraping up any browned bits from the pan.
- Return chicken to the skillet. Simmer for 10 minutes until chicken is cooked through.
- Reduce heat to low. Stir in heavy cream and butter until melted and sauce is creamy.
- Garnish with fresh cilantro and serve over rice.
Notes
Nutrition
Table of content
Table of Contents
There’s nothing quite like the creamy, spiced comfort of butter chicken, but who has hours to let it simmer? I’m Chef Elina, and I used to think that incredible flavor required all day in the kitchen until I perfected this quick version. This Easy 30-Minute Butter Chicken Recipe is my answer to busy weeknights when you’re craving something truly special without the fuss. We’re using a few simple shortcuts to capture that authentic, restaurant-quality taste in a fraction of the time. Get ready to fall in love with homemade Indian food because this Easy 30-Minute Butter Chicken Recipe is about to become your new weeknight hero.
Discovering the Magic of Quick Butter Chicken
I’ll never forget my first attempt at traditional butter chicken for a dinner party. I spent hours marinating, grilling, and simmering, only to realize I’d forgotten the rice! That kitchen chaos taught me a valuable lesson: fantastic flavor shouldn’t be complicated. This Easy 30-Minute Butter Chicken Recipe was born from that desire for efficiency without sacrificing the soul of the dish. It proves that with the right technique, you can get deep, complex flavors in a short amount of time. This is the recipe I make when I need a guaranteed crowd-pleaser that looks and tastes like it took far more effort than it truly did.
From Delhi to Your Weeknight Table
Butter chicken, or Murgh Makhani, has a wonderful history rooted in resourcefulness. Legend says it was invented in a Delhi restaurant by reusing leftover tandoori chicken in a rich, creamy tomato gravy. That spirit of clever cooking inspires this Easy 30-Minute Butter Chicken Recipe. We’re honoring that tradition by being smart with our ingredients and time, much like the approach I take with my favorite One-Pan Lemon Herb Chicken. By using quick-cooking chicken and a streamlined process, we achieve a similar luxurious result that feels both authentic and perfectly adapted for the modern home cook.
Why This Quick Version Truly Works
So, how do we build so much flavor so quickly? The secret lies in a powerful, aromatic base and a handful of key ingredients that do the heavy lifting. Unlike slow-simmered versions, this Easy 30-Minute Butter Chicken Recipe relies on tomato paste and garam masala to create an instant depth of flavor. The cream is added at the end to maintain its silky texture, creating a luxurious sauce that clings to every piece of chicken. It’s a brilliant method that delivers on every promise, similar to how my Creamy Tuscan Chicken uses a reduced cream sauce for maximum impact in minimal time.
Gathering Your Flavor Powerhouses
The beauty of this dish is that you don’t need a pantry full of obscure spices. Most of the ingredients are likely already in your kitchen or are easy to find at any local grocery store. Let’s break down what you’ll need to create this comforting masterpiece and why each component is so important to the final dish.
Building Your Essential Spice Pantry
The spice blend is the heart and soul of any great butter chicken. For this Easy 30-Minute Butter Chicken Recipe, you’ll need garam masala, turmeric, cumin, and a touch of paprika for color and warmth. Garam masala is the non-negotiable star here—it’s a warm, aromatic blend that defines the dish’s character. Don’t be afraid to taste your garam masala beforehand; if it’s been in your cupboard for over a year, its flavor may have faded. Using fresh, high-quality spices is the single biggest thing you can do to elevate your Easy 30-Minute Butter Chicken Recipe from good to unforgettable.
The Creamy, Rich Sauce Components
The iconic, creamy orange sauce comes from a simple combination of tomato paste, heavy cream, and butter. The tomato paste provides a concentrated tomato flavor and body, eliminating the need for reducing crushed tomatoes for hours. The heavy cream (or a coconut milk alternative for a dairy-free version) delivers the signature richness and silky mouthfeel. Finally, the butter—a generous amount—is stirred in at the end to finish the sauce, giving it a gorgeous gloss and mellowing all the spices into a harmonious blend. This creates a similarly comforting profile to my One-Pot Creamy Chicken and Rice, though with a distinctly vibrant and aromatic spice profile.
Crafting Your Perfect Butter Chicken
Now for the truly magical part—bringing all these beautiful ingredients together in one pan. The process for this Easy 30-Minute Butter Chicken Recipe is straightforward but involves a few key techniques that build layers of flavor quickly. You will start by searing the chicken to create a fond, then build the sauce in the same pan, and finally bring it all together for a quick simmer.
Building a Flavor Foundation Fast
Begin by heating a tablespoon of oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Pat your chicken pieces dry and season them well with salt and pepper. Add the chicken to the hot pan in a single layer and cook for about 3-4 minutes per side until you get a beautiful golden-brown sear. Don’t crowd the pan—work in batches if needed. This step isn’t just about cooking the chicken; it’s about creating those delicious browned bits at the bottom of the pan that will form the flavor foundation of your sauce. Remove the chicken and set it aside.
Creating the Signature Creamy Sauce
In the same pan, reduce the heat to medium and add your butter. Once melted, add the diced onions and cook until softened, about 3-4 minutes. Add the garlic, ginger, and all your spices, cooking for just 30 seconds until incredibly fragrant. This quick bloom of the spices unlocks their full potential. Then, stir in the tomato paste and cook for another minute until it darkens slightly. Pour in the crushed tomatoes and broth, scraping up all those browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Return the chicken to the pan, bring to a simmer, and let it cook for 10 minutes until the chicken is cooked through and the sauce has thickened slightly.
Serving and Savoring Your Creation
Your kitchen now smells incredible, and your pan holds a steaming, creamy masterpiece. The final touches for serving this Easy 30-Minute Butter Chicken Recipe are what can elevate it from a simple weeknight dinner to a meal worthy of serving to guests. Furthermore, understanding how to store and reheat the soup means you can enjoy the fruits of your labor for days to come.
The Perfect Pairings for Your Meal
While this butter chicken is fantastic all on its own, a few well-chosen sides can turn it into a truly memorable feast. I always serve it with fluffy basmati rice to soak up every bit of the luxurious sauce. A side of warm naan bread is essential for scooping, and a simple cucumber salad provides a refreshing, cool contrast to the rich, spiced flavors. For a complete Indian-inspired menu, you could pair it with my simple Chipotle Chicken Recipe for guests who prefer something with a different kind of heat. Don’t forget a dollop of cool yogurt on top to balance the spices!
Storing and Reheating For Future Meals
This butter chicken stores wonderfully, making it a fantastic make-ahead meal. Allow it to cool completely before transferring it to an airtight container. It will keep in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The flavors often meld and become even better the next day. When reheating, do so gently on the stovetop over low heat. You may need to add a splash of water or cream to thin the sauce back to its original consistency. This Easy 30-Minute Butter Chicken Recipe also freezes well for up to 3 months. Thaw it overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
u003cstrongu003eHow long should I let my butter chicken simmer?u003c/strongu003e
In this u003cstrongu003eEasy 30-Minute Butter Chicken Recipeu003c/strongu003e, a 10-minute simmer is perfect. This gives the chicken enough time to cook through and absorb the flavors while allowing the sauce to thicken slightly. Simmering for much longer isn’t necessary since we’re using quick-cooking chicken pieces and a sauce that doesn’t require long reduction.u003cbru003e
u003cstrongu003eCan butter chicken be slow cooked?u003c/strongu003e
Absolutely! While this specific recipe is designed for speed, you can adapt butter chicken for a slow cooker. Simply add all ingredients except the cream and butter to the slow cooker and cook on low for 6 hours. Stir in the cream and butter during the last 30 minutes of cooking.u003cbru003e
u003cstrongu003eWhat are some common butter chicken mistakes?u003c/strongu003e
The most common mistakes include overcooking the chicken, which makes it tough, and adding the cream too early or at too high a heat, which can cause it to curdle. Another mistake is using stale spices, which results in a bland sauce. Always use fresh spices for the most vibrant flavor.u003cbru003e
u003cstrongu003eCan you make butter chicken without marinade?u003c/strongu003e
Yes, and this u003cstrongu003eEasy 30-Minute Butter Chicken Recipeu003c/strongu003e proves it! While traditional versions use a yogurt marinade, we achieve incredible flavor by searing the chicken to create a fond and building a richly spiced sauce that the chicken simmers in. You won’t miss the marinade at all.u003cbru003e
This Easy 30-Minute Butter Chicken Recipe delivers extraordinary flavor through smart techniques rather than long cooking times. I’m incredibly proud of how this Easy 30-Minute Butter Chicken Recipe captures the authentic taste of traditional butter chicken while fitting perfectly into busy schedules. The magic of this particular Easy 30-Minute Butter Chicken Recipe lies in its clever use of spices and creamy components that come together so efficiently. Whether you’re new to Indian cooking or a seasoned pro, this remarkable Easy 30-Minute Butter Chicken Recipe will become your go-to comfort food solution. It proves conclusively that you don’t need hours to create restaurant-quality meals at home. This outstanding Easy 30-Minute Butter Chicken Recipe truly represents everything I strive for at easymealstable.com – making exceptional cooking accessible to everyone. they are our Pinterest account for more ideas.
Easy 30-Minute Butter Chicken
Ingredients
Chicken and Marinade
- 1.5 lbs chicken breast, cubed
- 1 tsp salt to taste
Cooking Base
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- 1 large onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp fresh ginger, grated
Spices
- 1 tbsp garam masala
- 1 tsp turmeric
- 1 tsp paprika
Sauce Components
- 3 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 cup crushed tomatoes
- ½ cup chicken broth
- ½ cup heavy cream substitute with coconut milk for a dairy-free version
- 2 tbsp butter or use a vegan alternative
Garnish
- Fresh cilantro for garnish
Instructions
Preparation
- Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
- Season chicken with salt and cook until golden brown, about 3-4 minutes per side. Remove and set aside.
- In the same skillet, melt butter. Add onion and cook until soft, about 3-4 minutes.
- Add garlic, ginger, garam masala, turmeric, and paprika. Cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
Cooking the Sauce
- Stir in tomato paste and cook for 1 minute.
- Add crushed tomatoes and chicken broth, scraping up any browned bits from the pan.
- Return chicken to the skillet. Simmer for 10 minutes until chicken is cooked through.
Finishing Touches
- Reduce heat to low. Stir in heavy cream and butter until melted and sauce is creamy.
- Garnish with fresh cilantro and serve over rice.