Easy 30-Minute Butter Chicken
A creamy, authentic-tasting butter chicken that comes together in just 30 minutes! Perfect for busy weeknights when you're craving comfort food.
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.
Notes
For a dairy-free version, use coconut milk instead of heavy cream and omit the butter or use a vegan alternative. The sauce will thicken as it sits. This butter chicken stores wonderfully, making it a fantastic make-ahead meal.
Nutrition
Serving: 1gCalories: 425kcalCarbohydrates: 12gProtein: 32gFat: 28gSaturated Fat: 13gSodium: 680mgFiber: 3gSugar: 6g
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!