Description
Rich, creamy, and bursting with aromatic spices, 30-Minute Stovetop Indian Butter Chicken is a quick and flavorful dish perfect for any night of the week. Serve it with basmati rice or naan for a comforting meal that’s easy to make yet feels indulgent.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients:
- Boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs: 1 lb (cut into bite-sized pieces)
- Unsalted butter: 2 tbsp
- Onion (finely chopped): 1 small
- Garlic (minced): 3 cloves
- Fresh ginger (minced): 1 tbsp
- Tomato sauce: 1 cup
- Heavy cream or coconut milk: ½ cup
- Plain yogurt: ¼ cup
- Lemon juice: 1 tbsp
Spices:
- Garam masala: 1 tbsp
- Ground cumin: 1 tsp
- Ground coriander: 1 tsp
- Ground turmeric: ½ tsp
- Ground paprika: ½ tsp
- Cayenne pepper (optional): ¼ tsp
- Salt and pepper: To taste
For Serving:
- Cooked basmati rice or naan: As desired
- Fresh cilantro (chopped): For garnish
Instructions
- Prepare the Ingredients:
- Cut chicken into bite-sized pieces.
- Chop onion, mince garlic, and grate or mince ginger.
- Cook the Chicken:
- Heat 1 tbsp butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
- Add chicken, season with salt and pepper, and cook for 5–6 minutes, stirring occasionally, until browned and fully cooked.
- Remove chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- Sauté Aromatics:
- Add the remaining 1 tbsp butter to the skillet.
- Cook onion for 3–4 minutes until softened.
- Add garlic and ginger, cooking for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Add Spices:
- Stir in garam masala, cumin, coriander, turmeric, paprika, and cayenne (if using).
- Toast the spices for about 1 minute to enhance their flavors.
- Build the Sauce:
- Pour in tomato sauce and stir well to combine with spices.
- Reduce heat to low and simmer for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Finish the Sauce:
- Stir in heavy cream or coconut milk and plain yogurt until smooth.
- Add the cooked chicken and any juices from the plate back into the skillet.
- Simmer for another 5 minutes to meld flavors and heat through.
- Add Lemon Juice and Garnish:
- Stir in lemon juice for a tangy finish.
- Garnish with fresh cilantro before serving.
- Serve and Enjoy:
- Serve hot with basmati rice, naan, or both.
Notes
- Choose the Right Chicken:
- Chicken thighs are juicier and more forgiving than breasts during cooking.
- Adjust Spice Level:
- For milder flavor, omit cayenne pepper. For more heat, add extra cayenne or chili flakes.
- Make It Dairy-Free:
- Use coconut milk instead of cream and skip yogurt or use a dairy-free alternative.
- Enhance Flavor:
- Simmering the sauce allows the spices to bloom and create a richer dish.
- Prep Ahead:
- Chop ingredients and measure spices beforehand to make the cooking process seamless.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American