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Easy Butter Chicken Recipe

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★★★★★

4.4 from 70 reviews

This Easy Butter Chicken recipe combines tender chicken breast chunks simmered in a rich, aromatic tomato and coconut milk sauce infused with warm Indian spices like garam masala, coriander, and curry powder. Ready in about 35 minutes, it’s a flavorful and comforting dish perfect for serving over rice or with naan.

Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon butter
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 medium onion, small diced
  • 2 teaspoons ginger, grated
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 tablespoon garam masala
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon mustard seeds
  • 1 teaspoon coriander
  • 1 teaspoon curry powder
  • 2 pounds chicken breast, cut into ¾-inch chunks
  • 3 ounces tomato paste
  • 3 ounces red curry paste
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 (14-ounce) can coconut milk

For Serving

  • Rice or naan
  • Cilantro (optional garnish)

Instructions

  1. Sauté Aromatics: Heat the butter and olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the diced onions and cook until soft and translucent, about 3 to 5 minutes. Stir in the grated ginger and minced garlic, cooking for an additional 1 to 2 minutes to release their flavors.
  2. Add and Toast Spices: Mix in the garam masala, chili powder, mustard seeds, coriander, and curry powder. Toast the spices for about 2 minutes while stirring, until fragrant and well combined with the aromatics.
  3. Cook Chicken and Mix Pastes: Add the chicken chunks to the skillet, followed by the tomato paste and red curry paste. Season with salt and black pepper. Stir thoroughly so the chicken is evenly coated with the spice and paste mixture.
  4. Simmer with Coconut Milk: Pour in the coconut milk and stir to combine everything evenly. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil, then reduce the heat to low and let it simmer uncovered for 20 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld and the chicken to cook through.
  5. Serve and Garnish: Serve the butter chicken hot over white rice or with warm naan bread. Garnish with fresh cilantro if desired for added freshness and color.

Notes

  • You can adjust the chili powder to control the spiciness level to your preference.
  • Use boneless, skinless chicken breast for quicker cooking; chicken thighs work as a flavorful alternative but may require slightly longer simmering.
  • Leftovers keep well refrigerated for up to 3 days and can be reheated gently on the stovetop or microwave.
  • For a richer sauce, consider adding a splash of heavy cream toward the end of cooking (not included in original recipe).
  • Serve with basmati rice or naan bread to soak up the delicious sauce.

Keywords: Butter Chicken, Indian Chicken Curry, Easy Butter Chicken, Coconut Milk Curry, Weeknight Dinner, Indian Cuisine

Find it online: https://delishfamilyrecipe.com/easy-butter-chicken-recipe/