I’ll be honest, the first time I tried making an Indian butter chicken recipe at home, I felt like I was walking into my kitchen with way too much confidence and way too little plan. But the aroma of garlic, ginger, and tomatoes slowly simmering away reminded me why I love cooking. This dish, often called the comfort food of Indian cuisine, wraps you up in warmth and flavor like a cozy blanket. An indian butter chicken recipe easy enough for a weeknight yet bold enough to impress on a Saturday night dinner spread doesn’t come around often. But this one fits both bills. The butter chicken recipe indian easy approach means no need for fancy tricks, just a good marinade, a bit of patience, and enough naan to scoop up every drop. It’s what I like to call kitchen therapy. If you’ve ever searched for chicken recipes indian style or a chicken curry recipe indian authentic enough to taste like it came out of a family kitchen, you’re in the right place. This chicken butter recipe balances creamy tomato sauce with spices that wake up your senses. Every bite makes you pause, sigh, and maybe, just maybe, lick the spoon before anyone notices.
Table of Contents
- 1) Key Takeaways
- 2) Easy Authentic Indian Butter Chicken Recipe
- 3) Ingredients for Authentic Indian Butter Chicken
- 4) How to Make Authentic Indian Butter Chicken
- 5) Tips for Making Authentic Indian Butter Chicken
- 6) Making Authentic Indian Butter Chicken Ahead of Time
- 7) Storing Leftover Authentic Indian Butter Chicken
- 8) Try these Main Course dishes next
- 9) Authentic Indian Butter Chicken
- 10) Nutrition
1) Key Takeaways
- Rich tomato sauce meets warm spice and soft cream for a cozy meal
- Marinate the chicken so the flavor sinks deep and stays juicy
- Basmati rice and soft naan make every bite feel complete
- Elena shares the method on Elena Cooks where common tools and calm steps keep stress low
2) Easy Authentic Indian Butter Chicken Recipe
I love chicken recipes that feel kind yet bold. Chicken recipes turn a busy night into quiet comfort. In my small kitchen, the pan warms, the garlic opens, and I grin. I wrote this with care on Elena Cooks so you can cook with ease. The sauce starts bright and ends silky. The spice speaks, not shouts. You taste balance and you want one more spoon. Two mentions set our frame for search and for you who asked for smart chicken recipes that fit a real day.
I keep the steps short so the mind stays clear. I hold the spoon, then the tongs, then the lid. Each move links to the next. Tomato softens, cream rounds the edges, butter gives shine. The kitchen smells like a warm hug. I set plates and think of my first try when I stirred too fast, laughed, and tried again. Cooking teaches patience and a little joy.
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3) Ingredients for Authentic Indian Butter Chicken
Boneless chicken thighs tender pieces hold flavor and stay juicy in a slow simmer
Plain yogurt the base for a soft marinade that keeps the meat relaxed
Lemon juice a bright lift that wakes the spices and freshens the sauce
Garlic and ginger a twin team that builds warmth and depth from the start
Garam masala the friendly mix that ties sweet notes to gentle heat
Turmeric and cumin earthy color and a calm nutty edge that steadies the dish
Butter a small pat for gloss and that round finish we crave
Onion finely chopped so it melts down and sweetens the base
Tomato puree smooth body that carries spice and cream without lumps
Heavy cream a soft swirl that calms acidity and brings the sauce together
Fresh cilantro a clean herbal finish that brightens the final plate
4) How to Make Authentic Indian Butter Chicken
Step one whisk yogurt lemon juice garlic ginger garam masala turmeric and cumin then coat the chicken and rest it so flavor moves inside
Step two warm a pan with a small knob of butter and a splash of oil then soften onion until sweet and pale gold
Step three add the chicken and let each side take light color so the pieces seal and stay tender
Step four pour in tomato puree then lower the heat and let the sauce thicken as steam drifts and the room smells inviting
Step five stir in cream and a small pat of butter then taste and add salt until the spice feels balanced and calm
Step six rest the pan for a minute then scatter cilantro and serve with basmati rice or warm naan for a complete plate
5) Tips for Making Authentic Indian Butter Chicken
Marinate long enough so the yogurt works. One hour helps. A night brings deeper flavor. I like to prep in the morning. By dinner the chicken feels ready and relaxed. This small wait pays off every time and it keeps the cook unhurried.
Mind the heat. A gentle simmer treats the sauce with care. Too much heat can split cream. I watch for small bubbles and a slow puff of steam. When the spoon leaves a light trail, I smile, set the spoon down, and call folks to the table.
Pair with rice for balance. The grains stand tall and soak the sauce. If you bake naan, brush a little butter for shine. On Elena Cooks I share simple rice timing and a few spice swaps for those nights when the pantry feels light.
6) Making Authentic Indian Butter Chicken Ahead of Time
I often cook this in the afternoon. The flavors settle and grow friendly as the pan rests. When guests arrive, I reheat on low and give the sauce a small splash of cream. The kitchen stays calm and I get to chat instead of rush around.
For busy weeks I split the plan. Day one I marinate and chill. Day two I simmer and cool. The sauce sits well and keeps a nice body. A short warm up brings it back to life. This pace fits work days and school nights with ease.
If you plan a spread with many chicken recipes, make this one first. It holds heat well and tastes even better after a short rest. Set it near the rice so people can serve themselves and go back for a little more.
7) Storing Leftover Authentic Indian Butter Chicken
Cool leftovers in shallow containers so they chill fast and stay safe. I label with the date and slide the box to the front so we see it and use it. Good storage helps good habits and keeps waste low.
In the fridge the dish keeps flavor for three days. For the freezer I pack flat bags for quick thaw. When I reheat, I warm on low and stir in a small spoon of water or cream so the sauce looks smooth again. The taste stays kind and steady.
Leftover ideas keep meals fresh. Spoon the chicken over baked potatoes. Fold into soft wraps with crisp lettuce. Stir through light pasta for a fast bowl. Simple chicken dinner ideas like these make a week feel easier and still feel home cooked.
8) Try these Main Course dishes next
9) Authentic Indian Butter Chicken
Chicken Recipes – Authentic Indian Butter Chicken
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 pounds boneless chicken thighs, cut into bite-size pieces
- 1 cup plain yogurt
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon ginger, grated
- 1 tablespoon garlic, minced
- 2 teaspoons garam masala
- 1 teaspoon turmeric
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 tablespoon oil
- 1 large onion, finely chopped
- 2 cups tomato puree
- 1 cup heavy cream
- Salt to taste
- Fresh cilantro for garnish
Instructions
- Combine yogurt, lemon juice, ginger, garlic, garam masala, turmeric, and cumin in a bowl. Add chicken, mix well, and marinate at least 1 hour or overnight.
- Heat butter and oil in a large pan over medium heat. Add onions and cook until golden.
- Add marinated chicken pieces, cooking until lightly browned.
- Stir in tomato puree and simmer for 15 minutes.
- Reduce heat and add cream. Cook gently until the sauce thickens and chicken is tender.
- Taste and season with salt. Garnish with fresh cilantro and serve hot with rice or naan.
10) Nutrition
A typical plate offers about four hundred sixty calories with a fair share of protein and a calm amount of carbs. The cream and butter lift the fat a bit which gives that smooth mouthfeel we love with warm rice.
Sodium stays moderate if you salt with care at the end. Fiber rises if you add a scoop of spinach to the pan or serve with brown basmati. Little tweaks like that keep balance without losing comfort.
If you track macros, aim for a mix that meets your day. This dish pairs well with a crisp salad. On Elena Cooks I keep a simple cucumber side that cools the spice and freshens the plate.
Written by Elena for Elena Cooks at https://www.elenacooks.com
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