QUICK BUTTER CHICKEN RECIPE EASY

Craving that rich, creamy, and utterly irresistible Butter Chicken flavor but short on time? This recipe delivers all the authentic taste you love without spending hours in the kitchen, so prepare to experience a culinary masterpiece quicker than you thought possible; I promise you’ll be amazed at how easy it is to create this restaurant-quality dish in your own home!

What You’ll Need: The Ingredients

For the Chicken Marinade:

• 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into 1-inch pieces
• 1 tablespoon ginger-garlic paste
• 1 teaspoon garam masala
• 1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder
• 1/2 teaspoon red chili powder (adjust to taste)
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2 tablespoons plain yogurt
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice

For the Butter Chicken Sauce:

• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1 medium onion, finely chopped
• 1 tablespoon ginger-garlic paste
• 1 teaspoon garam masala
• 1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder
• 1/2 teaspoon red chili powder (adjust to taste)
• 1 (14.5 ounce) can crushed tomatoes
• 1/2 cup tomato paste
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 1/4 cup cashew paste (optional, for extra richness)
• 1 teaspoon sugar (or honey)
• 1/2 teaspoon dried fenugreek leaves (kasuri methi), crushed
• Salt to taste
• Fresh cilantro, for garnish

Serving Suggestions:

• Cooked basmati rice
• Naan bread

Let’s Get Cooking: Step-by-Step Instructions

Marinating the Chicken:

1. In a large bowl, combine the chicken pieces with ginger-garlic paste, garam masala, turmeric powder, red chili powder, salt, yogurt, and lemon juice.
2. Mix well to ensure the chicken is evenly coated.
3. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, or up to 4 hours for maximum flavor. This is a crucial step, so don’t skip it!

Making the Butter Chicken Sauce:

1. While the chicken is marinating, prepare the sauce. Melt the butter in a large skillet or pot over medium heat.
2. Add the chopped onion and cook until softened and lightly golden, about 5-7 minutes. Keep stirring so it doesn’t burn!
3. Stir in the ginger-garlic paste, garam masala, turmeric powder, and red chili powder. Cook for another minute until fragrant.
4. Add the crushed tomatoes and tomato paste. Bring to a simmer, then reduce the heat and cook for 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce has thickened slightly.
5. If you are using cashew paste, stir it in now. This adds a wonderful richness to the sauce.
6. Stir in the heavy cream and sugar (or honey). Season with salt to taste.
7. Simmer for another 5 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together.

Cooking the Chicken:

1. Heat a separate skillet or pan over medium-high heat.
2. Add the marinated chicken in a single layer (you may need to do this in batches to avoid overcrowding the pan).
3. Cook the chicken until it is browned on all sides and cooked through, about 6-8 minutes.
4. Add the cooked chicken to the butter chicken sauce.
5. Stir gently to coat the chicken evenly in the sauce.
6. Simmer for another 5-10 minutes, allowing the chicken to absorb the flavors of the sauce.

Finishing Touches:

1. Stir in the crushed dried fenugreek leaves (kasuri methi). This adds a unique and authentic flavor to the Butter Chicken.
2. Garnish with fresh cilantro.
3. Serve hot with cooked basmati rice and naan bread.

Pro Tips and Tricks for Perfect Butter Chicken

Don’t Skip the Marinade:

The marinade is key to tender and flavorful chicken. If you can, marinate the chicken for longer than 30 minutes – even overnight! The yogurt in the marinade helps to tenderize the chicken and the spices infuse it with flavor.

Adjust the Spice Level:

This recipe uses a moderate amount of red chili powder. If you prefer a milder dish, reduce the amount of chili powder. If you like it spicier, add more!

Cashew Paste Substitute:

If you don’t have cashew paste on hand, you can use almond paste or even a tablespoon of cream cheese to add richness to the sauce. Alternatively, you can simply omit it without significantly affecting the flavor.

Fresh vs. Canned Tomatoes:

While canned crushed tomatoes are convenient and work well in this recipe, you can also use fresh tomatoes. Simply peel, seed, and chop about 2 cups of ripe tomatoes and add them to the sauce. You may need to cook them for a bit longer to reduce the liquid.

Thickening the Sauce:

If the sauce is too thin, you can thicken it by simmering it for a longer period of time. Alternatively, you can mix a teaspoon of cornstarch with a tablespoon of water and add it to the sauce. Stir well and simmer until the sauce thickens.

Serving Suggestions and Side Dishes

Butter Chicken is traditionally served with basmati rice and naan bread. The fluffy rice and soft naan are perfect for soaking up the delicious sauce. You can also serve it with other Indian breads like roti or paratha.

For a complete meal, consider adding a side dish of Creamy Garlic Chicken, raita (a yogurt-based condiment), or a simple salad.

Variations and Adaptations

Vegetarian Butter Chicken:

To make a vegetarian version of Butter Chicken, substitute the chicken with paneer (Indian cheese) or vegetables like cauliflower, potatoes, or peas. Simply follow the recipe as written, replacing the chicken with your chosen vegetarian ingredient.

Slow Cooker Butter Chicken:

For an even easier version, try making Slow Cooker Indian Butter Chicken. Simply combine all the ingredients in a slow cooker and let it cook on low for 6-8 hours.

Garlic Butter Chicken:

If you’re a fan of garlic, you might also enjoy a Garlic Butter Chicken Recipe. It’s a delicious twist on the classic dish.

Why This Recipe Works

This Butter Chicken recipe is designed to be quick and easy without sacrificing flavor. By using simple ingredients and streamlined steps, you can create a restaurant-quality dish in under an hour. The key is in the balance of spices and the richness of the sauce, which is achieved through a combination of butter, tomatoes, cream, and cashew paste (optional).

The use of chicken thighs ensures that the chicken remains tender and juicy, even after cooking. And the addition of kasuri methi (dried fenugreek leaves) adds a unique and authentic flavor that sets this recipe apart.

Other Delicious Chicken Recipes To Try

If you enjoyed this Butter Chicken recipe, here are a few other chicken dishes you might like:

• Butter Chicken Recipe
• Crockpot Butter Chicken Perfection
• Marry Me Chicken Pasta

Enjoy Your Homemade Butter Chicken!

Now that you have this quick and easy Butter Chicken recipe, you can enjoy this classic Indian dish any time you want. It’s perfect for a weeknight dinner or a special occasion. Don’t be afraid to experiment with the spices and adjust the recipe to your liking. Happy cooking!