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Quick & Easy Homemade Butter Chicken

A delightful quick and easy Butter Chicken recipe with tender chicken in a rich, creamy tomato sauce infused with aromatic spices, perfect for family gatherings.
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Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: Indian
Calories: 450
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the marination
  • 500 g Chicken breast or thigh, cut into bite-sized pieces Can use either breast or thigh
  • 1 cup plain yogurt For marination
  • 2 tbsp ginger-garlic paste
  • 1 tbsp garam masala
  • 1 tsp turmeric powder
  • 1 tsp red chili powder Adjust according to heat tolerance
  • to taste Salt
For the cooking
  • 3 tbsp ghee or vegetable oil Substitutions include olive oil or butter
  • 1 large onion, finely chopped
  • 1 can crushed tomatoes (400g)
  • 1 cup cream For a lighter option, substitutes with coconut milk
  • 1 tbsp sugar To balance acidity of tomatoes
  • to taste Fresh cilantro, chopped For garnish

Method
 

Preparation
  1. In a mixing bowl, combine the chicken pieces, yogurt, ginger-garlic paste, garam masala, turmeric, red chili powder, and salt. Mix well to coat the chicken. Cover and let it marinate for at least 30 minutes.
Cooking
  1. In a large pan, heat the ghee or oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onions and sauté until they turn golden brown, about 7-10 minutes.
  2. Stir in the marinated chicken, cooking until it is no longer pink, about 5-7 minutes.
  3. Pour in the crushed tomatoes and cook for an additional 10 minutes.
  4. Stir in the cream (or coconut milk) and sugar, simmering for another 5 minutes until the sauce becomes rich and creamy.
Serving
  1. Remove from the heat, garnish with fresh cilantro, and serve hot with naan or rice.

Notes

For a dairy-free version, coconut milk works wonders. A squeeze of fresh lime juice enhances flavor. Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 2 months.