Easy Butter Chicken

Print Pin

4.93 from 40 votes

A quick and easy version of the popular Indian dish, Butter Chicken, cooked in a creamy tomato sauce in just one pan!

Course Entree

Cuisine Indian

Prep Time 10

Cook Time 35

Total Time 45

Servings servings

Calories 235kcal

Author Yumna Jawad

Equipment

Ingredients

1 tablespoon butter
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 medium onion small diced
2 teaspoon ginger grated
3 garlic cloves minced
1 tablespoon garam masala
1 teaspoon chili powder
1 teaspoon mustard seeds
1 teaspoon coriander
1 teaspoon curry
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
Rice or naan for serving
Cilantro for serving

Instructions

Heat the butter and olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook the onions until they become soft and translucent, about 3-5 minutes. Stir in the ginger and garlic and cook for an additional 1-2 minutes.
Add the garam masala, chili powder, mustard seeds, coriander and curry and toast the spices until fragrant, about 2 minutes. Add the chicken, tomato paste, red curry paste, salt and pepper and stir until the chicken is well coated with the onions, tomato and curry pastes, and spices.
Pour the coconut milk over the chicken mixture and stir to combine. Bring the mixture to a boil, and then set the heat to low and simmer uncovered for 20 minutes.
Serve over white rice and/or naan, and garnish with cilantro, if desired.

Video

Notes

Storage: Store any leftovers in an airtight container. They will last about 3-4 days in the fridge.

Make Ahead: If you want to prepare some of the dish ahead of time. You can saute the onions, garlic and ginger with the butter and olive oil. Then transfer the onion mixture to a bowl, add all the ingredients on top of it and stir to combine. You can do this up to one day in advance. When ready to cook, just put everything in a pan, bring to a boil, then simmer on low heat for 20 minutes.

Sourcing: You can find most of the spices at major grocery stores. Garam masala may not be as widely available, but you can find at Indian specialty stores.

Substitutes: For best results, follow the recipe as is. If you can't find garam masala, you can make your own blend. Here's are two popular substitutions: 1 part cumin plus 1/4 part allspice. Or any combination of: Coriander, Cumin, Black Peppercorns, Cardamom, Cloves, Nutmeg.

* Please note the nutrition label does not include the rice or naan.

Nutrition