Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?

Yes, boneless chicken thighs work beautifully and add extra juiciness to the curry.

How can I make this butter chicken more authentic?

Grill or broil the chicken for char, and add kasuri methi (dried fenugreek leaves) at the end for traditional depth of flavor.

Can I make this recipe dairy-free?

Absolutely! Use coconut cream instead of heavy cream, and coconut oil in place of butter.

02 October 2025

Creamy Butter Chicken at Home (Easy Recipe Hack)

Name: Creamy Butter Chicken at Home (Easy Recipe Hack)
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
Yield: 4
Ingredients: 15 ml Oil or butter; 1 piece Yellow onion, diced; 5 g Fresh ginger, minced or grated; 3 cloves Garlic cloves, minced; 680 g Boneless chicken breast, cut into chunks; 60 g Tomato paste; 8 g Garam masala; 2 g Chili powder or paprika; 2 g Ground fenugreek (optional); 3 g Ground cumin; 5 g Salt; 1 g Black pepper; 240 ml Heavy cream (or yogurt / half & half); Fresh cilantro, chopped (for garnish)

Reid Quiggins (adapted by JojoM)

Creamy Butter Chicken at Home 🍛✨

There’s nothing more comforting than a bowl of butter chicken — rich, creamy, spiced just right, and perfect with fluffy rice or warm naan. The best part? This easy butter chicken hack brings restaurant-style flavor to your kitchen in just 30 minutes.

Instead of marinating overnight or firing up a tandoor, this recipe keeps things simple and weeknight-friendly while still delivering that deep garam masala warmth and silky, tomato-cream sauce. 🔥

Why You’ll Love This Recipe ❤️

Quick and Easy – Ready in about half an hour.
Flexible – Works with chicken breast, thighs, or even paneer.
Rich & Creamy – A tomato-butter base balanced with warm Indian spices.
Better Than Takeout – You’ll save money and customize the spice level.

The Secret Hack 🥄

Instead of making a complicated marinade, you’ll cook the chicken straight into the spice-infused tomato base. The cream ties everything together, making it silky smooth and rich without hours of prep. For an extra kick of authenticity, toss in kasuri methi (dried fenugreek leaves) at the end. 🌿

How to Serve 🍚🥖

This butter chicken curry is best enjoyed with:

Steamed basmati rice 🍚
Fluffy garlic naan 🫓
A side of cooling raita for balance 🥒

It’s hearty enough for a weeknight dinner, yet special enough for guests.

Pro Tips from the Kitchen 👩‍🍳

Char it up: Grill or sear the chicken before adding to the sauce for a smoky restaurant-style flavor.
Lighten it up: Replace half the cream with yogurt for a tangier, lower-fat version.
Make it dairy-free: Swap in coconut cream and coconut oil.

Final Thoughts 💭

This creamy butter chicken is one of those recipes that proves you don’t need takeout to satisfy cravings for classic Indian comfort food. In just one pan and 30 minutes, you’ll have a dish that makes the whole kitchen smell amazing.

Serve it with rice, naan, or both — and watch it disappear fast. ⭐️

Prep Time

10 mins

Cook Time

20 mins

Total Time

30 mins

Servings

Tools Used

Large SkilletWooden SpoonMeasuring Spoons

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Comments & Reviews

Robbo
6/8/2025
Not searing or charring the chicken oh no — still looks tasty though.
Dre
6/8/2025
Butter Chicken is godlike but the way it’s made here is different from how I learnt it from my Indian friend. Still solid though.
Erica
6/7/2025
Your ziplock glove cracked me up 😂 whatever works! Recipe looks great.
Randy Schwaggins
6/7/2025
I'd happily eat this dish bro — but if you grilled the chicken first and added kasuri methi, you'd nail the authentic flavor.
Zonghxina
6/7/2025
You’re supposed to cook the chicken separately till it’s about 80% done and then finish it in the sauce.

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Nutrition Facts

Serving Size: 1 portion (with sauce only, no rice/naan)

Calories 380

% Daily Value*

Total Fat 22g28%

Saturated Fat 9g45%

Trans Fat 0g

Cholesterol 115mg38%

Sodium 640mg28%

Total Carbohydrates 10g4%

Dietary Fiber 2g7%

Sugars 4g

Protein 34g

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.