Quick and Easy Butter Chicken

Full of flavor and spice, this easy butter chicken is going to be your new favorite dish. It’s a creamy tomato Indian dish that’s quick to make!

Quick and Easy Butter Chicken

Easy butter chicken screams of India and the love Indians have for aromatic spices. It is very popular among the Punjabi population of India. 

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This dish originated in 1948 by the gentleman Kundan Lal Gujral. His idea of including cream and butter to the succulent chicken pieces with smoky flavors was very well received by people around the globe. To say the least, each bite of butter chicken will transport you to the food heaven!

Traditionally, this dish is cooked in several long stages where the chicken is marinated and partially cooked separately. Then, the onion and tomato waste gravy is made to make already flavorful and aromatic chicken pieces even more appetizing. Here we are sharing with you a quick and easy butter chicken dish that is comparatively low in fat yet is as delicious and flavorful as it’s authentic. You will truly love its bold flavors and the tang of tomato with the underlying creamy texture.

How to Make Easy Butter Chicken

The first stage of this dish comprises marinating and pan-searing chicken pieces. Use a cast-iron dish to sear the chicken as it gives a nice crust and cooks chicken evenly. To find the perfect cast-iron pan read a review ‘Best carbon steel pan for every budget’. Here you will find great purchase options and honest product reviews, which will make it so much convenient for you to select the perfect cast iron pan based on your regular cooking requirements.

With cooking tools and utensils in place, here is how you can prepare this dish!

1. In a bowl, mix chicken with yogurt, ginger-garlic paste, garam masala, turmeric powder, Mirch, cumin powder, and salt until well combined. Cover and marinate for a minimum of 30 minutes or overnight.
2. Heat oil in a pan and then cook chicken on each side until it turns brown. Keep it aside.
3. Heat 2 tablespoons of ghee and cook onions in it for 5-6 minutes or until it softens.
4. Stir in ginger-garlic paste, tomatoes, garam masala, coriander powder, salt, and cook on simmer until the tomatoes are really soft.
5. Turn the heat off when tomatoes turn deep red in color. Now, cool this mixture to room temperature.
6. Bend this onion-tomato mixture until smooth. Add ¼ cup of water if required.
7. Add the remaining ghee to a pan and pour the blended mixture into it. Stir in Kashmiri chili powder, butter, sugar, kasoori methi, and bring it to a boil.
8. Add chicken pieces with its juices and simmer the curry for another 5-7 minutes.
9. Stir in cream, liquid smoke, and turn off the heat.
10. Garnish with coriander leaves.

Ingredients for Easy Butter Chicken Marinade:

• ½ cup thick yogurt, for marinating
• 1½ tablespoons ginger-garlic paste, for marinating
• 1½ teaspoons garam masala, for marinating
• 1 teaspoon turmeric powder, for marinating
• 1½ teaspoons Kashmiri Lal Mirch, for marinating
• 1 teaspoon cumin powder, for marinating
• Salt, to taste
• 750g (1.6 lbs) skinless and boneless chicken breast, cut into small pieces

Ingredients for Cooking Easy Butter Chicken:

• ghee: Buy online or Indian grocery store
• vegetable oil: Any will do
• butter: Salted or unsalted works
• onion, sliced
• ginger-garlic paste: Buy online or Indian grocery store
• tomatoes, chopped
• garam masala: Buy online or Indian grocery store
• coriander powder: Buy online or Indian grocery store
• Kashmiri Lal Mirch: Buy online or Indian grocery store
• heavy cream: You need to use the thick heavy cream for this recipe
• sugar
• kasoori methi: Buy online or Indian grocery store
• few drops of liquid smoke (optional)
• fresh coriander leaves (for garnish)

Common Questions:

What is Best to Serve with Easy Butter Chicken? I typically serve this with white rice or naan or both!

Where can I buy the Indian spices? You can find these ingredients at an Indian grocery store or you can find them online. Click on the links in this post to buy them online.

Here is the Recipe for Easy Butter Chicken:

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*Posts may contain affiliate links. If you purchase a product through an affiliate link your cost will be the same, but My Mommy Style will receive a small commission. Your support is greatly appreciated!

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