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Butter Chicken

This Quick & Easy Homemade Butter Chicken Recipe features tender chicken in a creamy, spiced tomato sauce that's perfect for busy weeknights.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: Indian
Calories: 500
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Chicken and Marinade
  • 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 onion, finely chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon ginger, minced
Spices
  • 1 teaspoon garam masala
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon ground coriander
  • 1 teaspoon turmeric
Sauce
  • 1 can (15 oz) tomato sauce
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • to taste Salt and pepper
Garnish
  • to taste Fresh cilantro for garnish
  • as needed Cooked rice or naan for serving

Method
 

Cooking the Chicken
  1. In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the chicken pieces and a pinch of salt and pepper. Cook until they are golden brown (about 5-7 minutes).
Preparing the Flavor Base
  1. Remove the chicken and set it aside. In the same skillet, toss in the chopped onions, garlic, and ginger. Sauté until the onions become soft and translucent, about 3-4 minutes.
Adding Spices
  1. Add the garam masala, cumin, coriander, and turmeric. Stir for about 30 seconds to release the spices' fragrances.
Making the Sauce
  1. Stir in the tomato sauce and bring it to a simmer. Let it bubble for about 5 minutes before adding the heavy cream and returning the chicken. Simmer for an additional 10-15 minutes until everything is cooked through and the sauce has thickened.
Finishing Touches
  1. Taste and adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper. Garnish with fresh cilantro and serve over rice or with warm naan.

Notes

Begin with less seasoning if you're not a spice person, and adjust to your taste. For a quicker meal, consider using pre-cooked or rotisserie chicken.