🎉 Join free — Show off your culinary skills, take part in fun challenges & win prizes!Sign up free →
Famous Indian Butter Chicken
gluten free
Advertisement
Home / Famous Indian Butter Chicken

Famous Indian Butter Chicken

This iconic Indian dish features tender chicken pieces simmered in a rich, creamy tomato-based sauce infused with warming spices. It is a beloved comfort food that delivers deep, complex flavors with every bite.

4.5
60 min
🍴4 servings
🔥520 cal
🔖Medium
⬇ Jump to recipe
30 second summary

Creamy, spiced tomato sauce coats tender chicken in this classic Indian restaurant favorite.

Advertisement

Nutrition per serving

520Calories
38gProtein
14gCarbs
34gFat
3gFiber

Ingredients

4servings

Chicken

Marinade

Spices

Sauce

Aromatics

Advertisement

Instructions

1

Marinate the Chicken

Combine yogurt, half the garam masala, ginger paste, and half the garlic in a large bowl. Add chicken pieces and coat thoroughly. Cover and marinate for at least 30 minutes or overnight in the refrigerator for best results.

2

Cook the Chicken

Heat a large skillet or grill pan over high heat. Cook the marinated chicken pieces for 4 to 5 minutes per side until slightly charred and cooked through. Set aside on a plate.

3

Build the Sauce

In the same pan, melt butter over medium heat. Add remaining garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant. Pour in the crushed tomatoes and remaining garam masala. Simmer for 15 minutes stirring occasionally until the sauce thickens and deepens in color.

Advertisement
4

Combine and Simmer

Add the cooked chicken pieces into the tomato sauce and stir to coat. Pour in the heavy cream and reduce heat to low. Simmer gently for 10 minutes allowing the chicken to absorb all the flavors from the sauce.

5

Finish and Serve

Taste and adjust salt as needed. Garnish with a swirl of cream and fresh cilantro if desired. Serve hot with steamed basmati rice or warm naan bread for a complete and satisfying meal.

Substitutions

heavy creamfull-fat coconut milk for a dairy-free version
boneless chicken thighsboneless chicken breasts for a leaner option
plain yogurtdairy-free coconut yogurt for a vegan marinade

Common mistakes

Skipping the marination step which results in dry and flavorless chicken
Adding cream over high heat which causes the sauce to curdle and separate
Not simmering the tomato sauce long enough leaving a raw acidic taste
Advertisement

I made this!

Cooked this recipe? Share your photo and inspire others.

Reviews

I made this!

Advertisement