This comforting Butter Chicken: A Hug in a Bowl comes together in about 30 minutes and is made all in one pot for a quick and easy weeknight dinner that your family will love! You can switch up the proteins or veggies to suit your taste or even use it as a ‘clean out the fridge’ meal to get rid of any odds and ends you have lying around. Who doesn’t love a versatile recipe that saves time and ingredients?
Ingredients for the Perfect Butter Chicken
Let’s dive into the must-haves for this amazing dish. Trust me; your shopping list just got shorter!
1/2 Cup Plain Yogurt
Plain yogurt is your secret ingredient here. It adds a creamy base to the marinade, tenderizing the chicken and infusing flavor while giving a delicious tang. And if you’re out of yogurt, you can totally use buttermilk or even a dairy-free option like almond yogurt if that’s your jam!
1 Tablespoon Lemon Juice
A touch of lemon juice brightens things up! It balances the spices beautifully. If you don’t have fresh lemons, you can use bottled juice, but, you know, fresh is always better!
1 Teaspoon Turmeric Powder
Turmeric not only adds that gorgeous golden color but is also loaded with anti-inflammatory properties. You can substitute it with curry powder if you don’t have any on hand. Either way, it’s a win!
2 Teaspoons Garam Masala
This is the star of the show! Garam masala gives our dish those authentic Indian flavors we adore. You can use an all-purpose curry powder if necessary, but I really prefer garam masala for its complexity.
1/2 Teaspoon Chili Powder or Cayenne Pepper Powder
Here’s where you can ramp up the heat! This will provide a little kick. Feel free to adjust based on your spice tolerance or even use smoked paprika for a milder, smoky flavor.
1 Teaspoon Ground Cumin
Cumin adds depth and a nutty flavor. Dry-roasting it briefly in the pan before adding the other ingredients can enhance its flavor, but no pressure, just toss it in and it’ll be great.
1 Tablespoon Freshly Grated Ginger
Fresh ginger is a game-changer—it’s zesty and fragrant. If you’re in a pinch, ground ginger can stand in, though I’m a real sucker for fresh ginger, it just elevates everything!
2 Cloves Garlic, Crushed
Garlic and butter chicken are best friends! It adds a wonderful aroma. You can use garlic powder if you like, just remember to halve the amount.
1.5 lbs Chicken Thigh Fillets, Cut Into Bite-Size Pieces
I totally recommend chicken thighs for juiciness and tenderness, but you could swap in chicken breasts or even shrimp (just adjust cooking times accordingly).
2 Tablespoons Ghee or Butter
Using ghee gives a unique flavor that pairs beautifully with Indian cuisine, but if you don’t have any, regular unsalted butter works just as well.
1 Cup Tomato Passata
Tomato passata makes for a smooth sauce and adds a touch of sweetness. You can also use crushed tomatoes or even tomato sauce if that’s what you have on hand.
1 Cup Heavy/Thickened Cream
The creaminess in this dish is heavenly! If you’re trying to keep it lighter, half-and-half works too, though it won’t be quite the same dreamy texture.
1 Tablespoon Sugar
A wee bit of sugar balances the acidity of the tomatoes. You can skip it if you’re trying to reduce sugar, but a small amount really makes a difference in flavor.
1 1/4 Teaspoons Salt
Salt enhances the flavors, of course. I always suggest starting with less, though, and adding more to taste!
Basmati or White Rice for Serving
This pairs perfectly with fluffy rice—Basmati adds a fragrant touch, but any white rice will work too!
Fresh Coriander/Cilantro for Garnish (Optional)
Garnishing with fresh cilantro adds a pop of color and a fresh taste. If you’re not a fan, parsley would do as well. Just make it pretty!
Let’s Get Cooking!
Instructions
Before all that manual labor, “the easy method” offers a delightful way to make this. Here’s how I do it!
Marinate the Chicken:
In a big bowl, mix together the yogurt, lemon juice, turmeric, garam masala, chili powder, ground cumin, ginger, and crushed garlic (oh, the smell!). Add the chicken pieces, coating it well. Cover, and let it chill in the fridge for at least 3 hours or—if you’re feeling organized—overnight. (Pro tip: the longer, the better!)Cook the Chicken:
Heat ghee in a large frying pan over high heat. Add the chicken with its marinade and cook for about 3 minutes—ya know, until the chicken is white all over. You want the flavors to start mingling!Make the Sauce:
Now, add the tomato passata, cream, sugar, and salt to the pan. Throw in any leftover marinade you might have. Bring to a simmer, then reduce the heat and let it simmer gently for about 20 minutes until the chicken is tender and the sauce has thickened. Stir occasionally to keep things from sticking and—important, scrape the yummy bits off the bottom for flavor!Garnish and Serve:
Sprinkle some fresh cilantro over the top if you’re using it, and serve with basmati rice and maybe some naan for dipping. The whole family will literally be fighting for the last bites, it’s that good.
Why I Love This Recipe
This Butter Chicken? It’s my go-to recipe when the weather cools down, or I just need something cozy on my plate. I mean, seriously, I’m a total sucker for rich, creamy comfort food! It’s one of those family favorites that always gets rave reviews. The best part is that you can customize it based on what you have in your pantry or your family’s preferences. I’ve made this dish when the fridge was looking pretty bare, and it always turns out delicious!
If you loved this Butter Chicken, be sure to check out my Creamy Tomato Basil Pasta, my Easy Chicken Enchiladas, or my Simple Vegetable Stir Fry!
Why This Recipe Works
Crowd-Pleaser
The whole family will love it, it’s creamy, comforting, and downright delicious! Plus, it appeals to kids and adults alike, making it a win-win for dinner time.
Comfort Food
Loaded with tons of flavor, this dish brings warmth to the table. Perfect for those chilly nights when you need a hearty meal to cozy up with.
Quick & Easy
Seriously, this comes together in under an hour! A busy weeknight? This dish is where you want to be, quick prep, minimal fuss.
Customizable
Use whatever ingredients you have on hand! No chicken? Go for chickpeas instead. Not a fan of tomatoes? You could use coconut milk for a sweeter twist!
Serving and Storage Tips
How to Serve This Butter Chicken
Serve this Butter Chicken over a bed of fluffy basmati rice or with warm naan for sopping up that amazing sauce. And let’s be honest, you’re probably going to want to keep some extra naan around for dipping.
How Long It Keeps
This dish holds up well in the fridge for about 3 days. Just be sure to store it in an airtight container to keep it fresh!
Reheating Instructions
To reheat, simply warm it up in a saucepan over medium heat, stirring occasionally until it’s heated through. You can add a splash of water or extra cream if the sauce gets too thick.
Freezer Friendly? Yes!
Great news! You can freeze this Butter Chicken for up to 3 months. Just let it cool completely before transferring it to a freezer-safe container. To reheat, thaw overnight in the fridge and then follow normal reheating instructions.
Now, go forth and create this incredible Butter Chicken: A Hug in a Bowl! Trust me; your taste buds will thank you, and your family will be asking for seconds. Happy cooking!
For more family-tested air fryer chicken recipes that make weeknight dinners exciting:
- Complete Air Fryer Chicken Recipes Collection – 15+ crowd-pleasing favorites
- Air Fryer Chicken Schnitzel – Golden Crunch, Zero Guilt
- Air Fryer Buttermilk Fried Chicken – The Crunch That Feels Like Home
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Butter Chicken
Ingredients
Method
- In a big bowl, mix together the yogurt, lemon juice, turmeric, garam masala, chili powder, ground cumin, ginger, and crushed garlic. Add the chicken pieces and coat well. Cover and chill in the fridge for at least 3 hours or overnight.
- Heat ghee in a large frying pan over high heat. Add the chicken with its marinade and cook for about 3 minutes, until the chicken is white all over.
- Add the tomato passata, cream, sugar, and salt to the pan. Include any leftover marinade. Bring to a simmer, then reduce the heat and let it simmer for about 20 minutes until the chicken is tender and the sauce thickens. Stir occasionally.
- Sprinkle fresh cilantro over the top if using, and serve with basmati rice and naan.