Amazing Homemade Butter Chicken in 1 Hour

Oh, you know those nights, right? You’re craving something warm, comforting, and bursting with those incredible Indian flavors, but the thought of a complicated curry feels like way too much after a long day. I’ve totally been there! That’s exactly why I perfected this Quick & Easy Homemade Butter Chicken (dinner recipes Recipe, 2025 Edition). It’s my go-to when I want that restaurant-worthy butter chicken without spending hours in the kitchen. Trust me, you’ll be amazed at how quickly you can whip up this rich, creamy, and utterly delicious dish. It’s become a total lifesaver in my kitchen!

Why You’ll Love This Quick & Easy Homemade Butter Chicken

It’s FAST! Seriously, you can have this on the table in about an hour, making it perfect for busy weeknights.

So Simple: No fancy techniques or ingredients. If you can chop and stir, you can make this!

Incredible Flavor: That rich, creamy, slightly sweet and tangy sauce? It’s pure comfort in a bowl.

Satisfies Cravings: Tastes just like your favorite restaurant butter chicken, but made by YOU!

Customizable Spice: You control the heat – make it mild for everyone or dial it up for a kick.

Impress Your Guests: Who knew dump and stir could taste this fancy?

Gather Your Ingredients for Delicious Homemade Butter Chicken

Alright, let’s get our mise en place ready! Here’s what you’ll need to whip up this creamy, dreamy butter chicken. Don’t worry if you don’t have everything; most of these you can find at any well-stocked grocery store.

• 500g boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts, cut into bite-sized chunks – I love using thighs because they stay super juicy, but breasts are great too if you prefer.
• 2 tablespoons plain yogurt – This helps tenderize the chicken and makes it so delicious!
• 2 garlic cloves, minced – Fresh garlic is key here, folks!
• ½-inch piece of ginger, grated – I usually just grab a knob and grate it fresh. It makes a world of difference.
• Salt to taste – Don’t be shy with the salt, it brings out all the flavors!
• 1 teaspoon chili powder – This is for the marinade; you can adjust this depending on how much heat you like.
• 3 tablespoons butter – We’ll use this in two parts, for sautéing and finishing.
• 1 cup tomato puree – Just plain tomato puree, no fancy additives needed.
• ½ cup heavy cream or coconut cream – Heavy cream gives it that classic richness, but coconut cream is a fantastic dairy-free option and totally delicious!
• 2 teaspoons garam masala – This is your warm spice blend from heaven. You can usually find it in the international aisle.
• 1 teaspoon turmeric powder – For that gorgeous color and earthy flavor.
• 1 teaspoon cumin powder – A staple in Indian cooking!
• 1 teaspoon chili powder – Yes, another teaspoon! This is for the sauce.
• 1 teaspoon coriander powder – Adds a lovely depth to the sauce.
• Fresh cilantro for garnish – A must-have for that fresh pop of flavor and color at the end!

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

Alright, let’s get cooking! This is where the magic happens. This recipe is designed to be super straightforward, so don’t be intimidated. Just follow along, and you’ll have an amazing homemade butter chicken on your plate before you know it.

1. Marinate the Chicken: First things first, grab a bowl and toss your chicken chunks in there. Add the yogurt, half of that minced garlic, half of the grated ginger, a good pinch of salt, and 1 teaspoon of chili powder. Give it all a nice mix with your hands or a spoon until every piece of chicken is coated. Let it hang out for at least 30 minutes – longer is even better if you have time, like overnight!

2. Sauté the Aromatics and Spices: Now, grab a nice big skillet or pot. Melt 2 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Once it’s melted and looking shimmery, toss in the rest of your garlic and ginger. Sauté them for just about a minute until they smell amazing, but be careful not to burn them! Next, add your garam masala, turmeric powder, cumin powder, the other teaspoon of chili powder, and the coriander powder. Stir them around for about another minute until everything is fragrant. This step really blooms those spices!

3. Build the Sauce Base: Pour that lovely tomato puree into the skillet with the spices. Give it a good stir to combine everything. Let this simmer away for about 10 minutes, stirring every now and then. You want it to thicken up a bit and get nice and rich.

4. Cook the Chicken: While the sauce is simmering, grab a separate pan. Melt that last tablespoon of butter over medium heat. Add your marinated chicken pieces in a single layer – don’t crowd the pan, you might need to do this in batches. Cook them for about 8-10 minutes, flipping them over, until they’re golden brown and cooked all the way through. We want them nicely seared!

5. Bring It All Together: Now, carefully transfer all that beautifully cooked chicken into the skillet with your tomato sauce. Stir everything together so the chicken is coated in that gorgeous sauce. Pour in your heavy cream or coconut cream. Give it another good stir. Let it all simmer gently on low heat for about 10 more minutes. This lets the flavors meld together and the sauce gets perfectly creamy.



6. Final Touches: Taste your butter chicken – does it need a little more salt? Adjust it to your liking. That’s it! Serve it hot, generously sprinkled with fresh cilantro. For more amazing chicken recipes, check out this collection or explore more chicken dishes!

Tips for Making the Best Homemade Butter Chicken

Okay, so making this butter chicken is already pretty easy, but here are a few little tricks I’ve learned that make it even better. First off, don’t skimp on the marination time! If you can marinate the chicken overnight, do it. It makes the chicken so incredibly tender and lets all those spices really soak in. For the sauce consistency, if it seems a little too thick, just add a splash more cream or even a little water, and if it’s too thin, let it simmer a bit longer uncovered to reduce. And a pro tip: using good quality whole milk yogurt for the marinade really makes a difference!

Serving Suggestions for Your Quick & Easy Homemade Butter Chicken

This rich and creamy butter chicken is amazing on its own, but it truly shines when paired with the right sides! I love serving it piping hot over fluffy basmati rice – it’s perfect for soaking up every last drop of that glorious sauce. Warm, pillowy naan bread is also a must-have for scooping up every delicious bite. If you want a little freshness, a simple cucumber and red onion salad cuts through the richness beautifully.

Storage and Reheating for Homemade Butter Chicken

Got leftovers? Lucky you! Butter chicken actually tastes *even better* the next day, which is a win in my book. Just pop any cooled leftovers into an airtight container and pop it in the fridge. It’ll stay good for up to 3 days. When you’re ready to reheat, I find the microwave works just fine for a quick reheat – just make sure it’s heated through all the way. You can also gently reheat it on the stovetop over low heat, stirring occasionally. If it seems a bit thick, add a tiny splash of water or coconut milk to get that perfect saucy consistency back!

Frequently Asked Questions About Quick & Easy Homemade Butter Chicken

Can I make this Quick & Easy Homemade Butter Chicken dairy-free?

Absolutely! You totally can. Just swap out the regular butter for a good plant-based butter and use coconut cream instead of heavy cream. It makes it just as delicious, trust me!

How spicy is this Homemade Butter Chicken recipe?

This recipe has a mild to medium heat level, thanks to the chili powder we use. If you like it spicier, just add an extra pinch or two of the chili powder when you’re making the sauce. If you’re sensitive to heat, you can reduce it or leave it out of the sauce part.

What is the best type of chicken to use for this recipe?

I’m a big fan of using boneless, skinless chicken thighs. They stay incredibly moist and juicy, even after they’re cooked through. Chicken breasts work too, but they can sometimes dry out a bit more easily, so just be careful not to overcook them!

Nutritional Information for Homemade Butter Chicken

Okay, so here’s a little peek at what you’re getting in each serving of this deliciousness. Remember, these are just estimates, and your exact numbers might change a bit depending on the brands you use and how big your portions are. We’re all about real wellness here, so keeping it balanced is key! For more ideas on recipes that fit a healthy lifestyle, check out our recipes for weight loss.

• Serving Size: 1 serving
• Calories: ~500
• Fat: ~30g (Saturated Fat: ~15g)
• Carbohydrates: ~20g (Fiber: ~5g)
• Protein: ~35g
• Sodium: ~500mg
• Sugar: ~10g
• Cholesterol: ~150mg

Share Your Quick & Easy Homemade Butter Chicken Experience!

Alright, now that you’ve got the recipe for this amazing Quick & Easy Homemade Butter Chicken, I’d love to hear how it turns out for you! Did you try it with coconut cream? Did you add extra chili? Let me know in the comments below – your tips and variations help everyone out! And if you loved it, please leave a star rating. Your feedback means the world to me!

By Hi, I’m EMILIA, the founder of MeltItClean.com – your digital space for natural weight loss, real wellness habits, and clean-living inspiration that actually fits your life.

After years of experimenting, learning, and unlearning, I discovered a simple truth: your body is already powerful — it just needs support, not restriction. That’s when I created Melt It Clean — a site dedicated to real transformation through clean, intentional, and nourishing daily habits that anyone can follow.

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