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A serving of rich, creamy butter chicken in a bowl, garnished with fresh cilantro.

Butter Chicken

A quick and delicious butter chicken recipe that can be prepared in just 25 minutes, perfect for a weeknight meal.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 450

Ingredients
  

Main Ingredients
  • 1 lb chicken breast cut into 1-inch cubes
  • 2 tbsp butter
  • 1 onion chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 tsp ginger grated
  • 2 tbsp tomato paste
  • 15 oz crushed tomatoes canned
  • 0.5 cup heavy cream
  • 1 tsp garam masala
  • 0.5 tsp turmeric powder
  • 0.5 tsp chili powder
  • 0.5 tsp salt or to taste
  • 1 tsp sugar
  • 1 tsp fenugreek leaves (kasoori methi) crushed
For Serving
  • basmati rice cooked
  • fresh cilantro chopped, for garnish

Equipment

  • Large Skillet
  • Measuring Spoons
  • Measuring Cups

Method
 

Cooking Steps
  1. Melt 1 tablespoon of butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken cubes and cook until browned on all sides, then remove the chicken from the skillet and set it aside.
  2. Add the remaining 1 tablespoon of butter to the skillet. Sauté the chopped onion until softened, about 3-4 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic and grated ginger, cooking for another minute until fragrant.
  3. Stir in the tomato paste, crushed tomatoes, garam masala, turmeric powder, chili powder, and salt. Bring the mixture to a simmer and cook for 5 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld.
  4. Return the cooked chicken to the skillet. Stir in the heavy cream, sugar, and crushed fenugreek leaves. Simmer for 3-5 minutes, or until the chicken is heated through and the sauce has thickened slightly.
  5. Serve the butter chicken hot with cooked basmati rice and garnish with fresh cilantro.

Notes

This recipe is designed for speed, focusing on readily available ingredients and simplified steps. For a richer flavor, marinate the chicken for at least 30 minutes or even overnight.