Name: Quick & Easy Homemade Butter Chicken
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 45 min
Cuisine: Indian
Ingredients: 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into 1-inch pieces; 1 cup plain yogurt; 2 tbsp lemon juice; 1 tbsp garam masala; 1 tsp ground cumin; 1 tsp ground turmeric; 1 tsp chili powder; 1 tsp salt; 2 tbsp butter; 1 large onion, finely chopped; 2 cloves garlic, minced; 1 tbsp grated fresh ginger; 1 (28 ounce) can crushed tomatoes; 1 cup heavy cream; 1 tsp sugar; Fresh cilantro, chopped, for garnish; Cooked rice, for serving

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Ugh, weeknights, right? Between soccer practice, homework battles, and just *life*, the last thing I want to stare down is a complicated dinner. But oh man, do I get those cravings for something comforting, something *flavorful*, something like that amazing butter chicken from our favorite Indian place. Well, guess what? You can totally have that creamy, dreamy goodness right in your own kitchen, even on a Tuesday! My Quick & Easy Homemade Butter Chicken recipe is my secret weapon. It takes all that rich, authentic flavor we love and somehow shrinks it down into a super simple, totally achievable meal in under an hour. Trust me, this one’s a game-changer when you need deliciousness *fast*!

Why This Quick & Easy Homemade Butter Chicken Recipe Works

Okay, so you’re probably wondering how we get that classic, dreamy butter chicken flavor without spending hours slaving away. It’s all about smart shortcuts that don’t skimp on taste! First off, we’re cutting right to the chase with pre-cut chicken thighs – they cook super fast and stay wonderfully tender. The marinade? It’s a simple mix that infuses flavor *while* you prep the sauce, so no waiting around. And instead of multiple complex steps, we’re building the sauce right in one pan. This recipe is designed to get that rich, restaurant-worthy taste on your table with way less fuss, proving that a delicious weeknight Indian feast is totally doable!

Ingredients for Your Quick & Easy Homemade Butter Chicken

Alright, let’s get down to what you’ll need for this magic! Forget fancy pantry raids, this recipe uses stuff you probably already have or can grab super easily:

About 1.5 pounds of boneless, skinless chicken thighs. I like thighs ’cause they stay so juicy, but chicken breast works too if that’s what you’ve got! Just cut ’em into bite-sized, 1-inch pieces.
1 cup of plain yogurt. This is key for the marinade – it makes the chicken so tender!
2 tablespoons of lemon juice. Adds a nice little tang.
All our lovely spices: 1 tablespoon garam masala, 1 teaspoon cumin, 1 teaspoon turmeric, 1 teaspoon chili powder (add more if you like it HOT!), and 1 teaspoon salt
Then for the sauce: 2 tablespoons of butter, 1 big ol’ onion that’s been finely chopped, 2 cloves of garlic that you’ve minced up, and about 1 tablespoon of fresh ginger that’s been grated.
Grab a big 28-ounce can of crushed tomatoes – this is the base of our glorious sauce.
1 cup of heavy cream. This makes it super luscious and rich!
Just a teaspoon of sugar to balance everything out.
And for that pop of freshness at the end: chopped fresh cilantro and some fluffy cooked rice to serve it all over. Yum!

Step-by-Step Guide to Your Quick & Easy Homemade Butter Chicken

Okay, let’s get cooking! This is where the magic happens in our one-pan wonder. Don’t worry, it’s way simpler than it looks, and the result is SO worth it. You’ll see how easy it is to get that amazing flavor, similar to this creamy butter chicken recipe!

Marinating the Chicken

First things first, let’s get that chicken happy and flavorful. In a bowl, just toss your chicken pieces with the yogurt, lemon juice, and all those gorgeous spices: garam masala, cumin, turmeric, chili powder, and salt. Give it a good stir so every piece is coated. You can let it hang out for at least 30 minutes – that’s enough to get some flavor in there. If you have more time, up to 4 hours in the fridge is even better for super tender chicken. Trust me, this step makes a huge difference!

Building the Flavorful Sauce

Grab your favorite big skillet or a pot and melt that butter over medium heat. Toss in your chopped onion and let it get nice and soft, usually about 5-7 minutes. You want it sweet, not browned. Now, add the minced garlic and grated ginger – oh, that smell! Cook for just about a minute until it’s super fragrant. Then, pour in that can of crushed tomatoes. Give it a stir, let it bubble up, then turn the heat down low for about 10 minutes. Let those tomatoes simmer and get happy, thickening up a bit.

Combining and Simmering

Now for the main event! Add your marinated chicken (yogurt and all!) straight into that simmering tomato sauce. Stir it all up and let the chicken get a nice sear and brown on all sides, that’ll take about 5-7 minutes. Don’t worry if it looks a little saucy – that’s good! Once the chicken is looking mostly cooked, pour in that luscious heavy cream and the teaspoon of sugar. Stir it gently and let it all simmer away for another 5-10 minutes. You’ll see the sauce thicken up beautifully and the chicken will be cooked all the way through. That’s it – seriously!

Tips for the Best Quick & Easy Homemade Butter Chicken

Alright, you’ve made it this far, and you’re just a few steps away from pure butter chicken bliss! Here are my little secrets to make sure your Quick & Easy Homemade Butter Chicken is an absolute showstopper. It’s all about those small touches, you know?

Ingredient Swaps and Notes

Don’t have chicken thighs? No worries! You can totally use chicken breast, just make sure you don’t overcook it, or it can get a bit dry. If you’re not a fan of super spicy, ease up on the chili powder in the marinade. And for the heavy cream, if you’re out, half-and-half works, but your chicken might be a tad thinner – totally fixable though! I always try to use good quality garam masala; it really makes a difference.

Achieving Perfect Consistency

Sometimes, the sauce can be a little thinner or thicker than you want. If it’s too thin after simmering, just let it cook uncovered for a few more minutes on low heat – watch it constantly so it doesn’t scorch! If, by chance, it gets too thick, a tiny splash of water or an extra tablespoon of cream will loosen it right up. You’re looking for that luscious, clingy sauce that coats the chicken perfectly.

Serving Your Delicious Homemade Butter Chicken

Okay, the star of the show is ready, but what do we serve with it? For me, nothing beats fluffy basmati rice. It’s the perfect canvas for soaking up all that glorious, creamy sauce. And don’t forget that fresh cilantro! Sprinkle it on generously right before serving – the bright green against that rich orange-red color is just beautiful. A little dollop of plain yogurt on the side can be nice too, especially if you made it a bit spicier. It’s a complete, satisfying meal that feels so special!

Frequently Asked Questions About Quick & Easy Homemade Butter Chicken

Got questions about whipping up this speedy butter chicken? I’ve got you covered! It’s honestly my go-to for a reason, so let’s dive into what makes it so great and what you might be wondering. If you’re curious about making it even faster, check out this best butter chicken Instant Pot recipe idea!

Can I make this butter chicken recipe vegetarian?

Absolutely! While it’s built for chicken, you can swap it out for paneer or firm tofu. Just marinate the paneer or tofu cubes the same way, and add them during the last 5-10 minutes of simmering to warm through. It becomes a gorgeous vegetarian curry!

How long does the chicken need to marinate?

You can get away with just 30 minutes in a pinch, and it’ll still be delicious! But honestly, if you can let it go for 1-2 hours, or even longer in the fridge (up to 4 hours is great), the yogurt and spices really work their magic to make the chicken unbelievably tender. So, the longer the better, but quick is still good!

Is this a 30-minute butter chicken recipe?

It’s super close! With about 15 minutes for prep and marinating, and then another 30 minutes of actual cooking time, you’re looking at around 45 minutes total. So, while not *exactly* 30 minutes, it’s definitely a quick Indian dinner idea that feels way faster than traditional butter chicken. Perfect for a weeknight when you’re short on time!

Nutritional Information (Estimated)

Just a heads-up, these numbers are estimates, and they can change a bit depending on exactly what you use! But for a typical serving of this Quick & Easy Homemade Butter Chicken, you’re looking at roughly 550 calories. It’s got about 35g of fat (don’t forget the cream and butter!), a solid 35g of protein to keep you full, and around 20g of carbohydrates.