This super flavorful Butter Chicken couldn't be easier to make! It's especially delicious served with a warm piece of naan!
Butter chicken is one of the best chicken recipes I’ve made to date. It’s right up there with Chicken Parm Meatballs and Chicken Tawook!
At it's core, it's cut up chicken thighs marinated in a lemon juice, yogurt (Stonyfield Grassfed Greek Quarts to be exact) and a spice mixture and then simmers in a savory sauce made of butter, onion, garlic, ginger, tomatoes and some cream. It’s slowly cooked until the chicken is almost falling apart, majorly tender, and packed full of flavor. (side note - if you're looking for incredible and AUTHENTIC spices - check out Diaspora Co. They are the best of the best)
Any of the Greek Stonyfield (non-flavored) products would work for this recipe. But we’ve been buying the Grass-fed recently and we’re obsessed. Like all Stonyfield products, 100% Grassfed Greek is organic, non-GMO, and made without the use of artificial hormones.
Butter chicken is reminiscent to chicken tikka masala but the difference is that while Tikka Masala is a bit more complex and this tastes more buttery with a delicious tomato based Indian yogurt based gravy.
There are all sorts of delicious juices that come with this recipe so you absolutely MUST eat it with a few pieces of homemade naan!
Some frequently asked questions coming your way:
What does Butter Chicken taste like?
It's slightly adjacent to chicken tikka masala but the difference is that while Tikka Masala is a bit more complex and this tastes more buttery with a delicious Indian gravy. It originated in back in the 1950's in India when some leftover chicken was tossed into a tomato based gravy sauce and it's been popular ever since!
Why is it called Butter Chicken?
Because of the butter in the gravy of course!! If you're hesitant about the butter, don't be! It's honestly so delicious in this recipe. You could also use Ghee if you have it on hand - will be just as delish!
What do you serve with Butter Chicken?
I like to serve a warmed piece of homemade naan with it. It's also great over rice, quinoa, farro or any other grain.
What spices go in Butter Chicken?
Turmeric, garam masala and cumin are the traditional spices you'll want to have on hand! I add in a pinch of cayenne for a little heat. If I'm making this for my daughter, I omit the cayenne and she gobbles it right up.
Can you freeze Butter Chicken?
You sure can! I freeze smaller portions of this all the time, once it's fully cooked. In order to reheat it, I just remove it from the freezer, let it come to temp in the fridge and then transfer the mixture to a non-stick skillet and re-heat over medium heat. It's a great dish to freeze because it re-heats so nicely!
Ok... away we go!
Butter Chicken
Ingredients
For the Marinade
- 2 pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs or breasts cut into 1 inch pieces
- 1 cup Stonyfield Grassfed Greek Quarts
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 ½ tablespoons ground turmeric
- 2 tablespoons garam masala
- 2 tablespoons ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
For the remaining part of the recipe:
- ½ cup butter
- 1 onion, roughly diced
- 4 cloves garlic, roughly chopped
- 2 tablespoons fresh ginger, grated
- 1 15-ounce can diced tomatoes
- ½ cup chicken stock
- 2 cups heavy cream OR coconut milk
- 1 teaspoon tomato paste
- 2 teaspoons salt
- Lemon juice to taste
- Cilantro to garnish
- Naan bread to serve
Instructions
- Combine the chicken, greek yogurt, lemon juice, and spices in a bowl. Marinate for at least 1 hour, or overnight.
- In a large pan over medium heat, melt the butter. Stir in onion and cook slowly until the onion and cook until translucent. Add the garlic and ginger and cook until fragrant, about 2-3 minutes more.
- Add the tomatoes to the skillet and cook for 5 minutes. Add the chicken and its marinade to the pan and cook for 5 minutes. Add the chicken stock and bring the mixture to a boil - then lower heat and simmer for 30 minutes. Stir in the heavy cream, tomato paste and salt and continue to simmer until the chicken has cooked through, about 15 minutes, and the sauce is thick.
- Taste, adjust seasoning as needed, add lemon juice for a bit of acid. Garnish with cilantro leaves and serve alongside warmed naan.
Notes
Nutrition Information
Photo by Matt Armendariz / Food Styling by Adam Pearson / Recipe from What’s Gaby Cooking
I am making this for my fourth time--it is SO GOOD. Everyone I have made it for absolutely loves it. So many of your recipes are now in my meal rotation, they are what my husband constantly requests! Thank you for all the yummy food!
yayyyyyy! Thanks Sally! xx
Hi, do you cover it during the simmer period? Or do you leave it uncovered? Thanks!
uncovered
This looks amazing! Could you make this in the slow cooker and skip the marinating step?
I havent tested it in a slow cooker but I'd assume it would work!!
I just found your site on the Internet and I'm excited to start making many of your recipes. Do you have a calorie count for your recipes?
I don't calculate calories for my recipes - but I know there are a bunch on online tools to do it for yourself if you're curious!! Thanks!
I have attempted to make Butter Chicken several times but I aways seem to missing something, A friend told me that it could be the garam masala mix I'm using, what brand (if you don't mind me asking) do you use? She said that some brands differ on ratios and may even leave an ingredient out depending...?!
I use the one from McCormick!! Let me know what you think of this recipe once you make it!! xx
This looks lovely. Any suggestions for the lactose intolerant that won't alter the flavor?
coconut cream instead of heavy cream! vegan butter, and lactose free yogurt!!
Love Indian flavors! Would definitely like to try this but with tofu for a veg option!
http://www.sprinklesandsaturdays.com
Butter chicken is soooo good. something I dont get nearly often enough. I will have to add this to my make list for the week to treat myself!
looks amazing! definitely making it this week. can you sub something else for heavy cream?
YUM! This looks amazing and definitely going on my to make list!
Thats amazing, i can imagine the taste, ive been there! lol
Hi Gaby
Just to confirm, your description says chicken breasts but the recipe says thighs. Which should we use for the recipe it sounds delicious!!
Thanks!
either!
I definitely need to add this to my meal rotations!! Winner, winner, chicken dinner!!
Yum! That looks so delicious!
Kari
http://sweetteasweetie.com/sweet-and-spicy-burgers/
This sounds amazingly yummy! I'm a chicken lover and this sounds fantastic.