This Authentic Butter Chicken recipe will make you feel like you are at your favorite Indian restaurant. It’s creamy, savory, and incredibly flavorful!
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Indian food is known for its flavorful dishes. Authentic Butter Chicken is no exception to that rule. You may have had Butter Chicken at an Indian restaurant before, but have you ever thought to add it to your weekly dinner rotation? This recipe allows you to bring all the flavor of an Indian restaurant to the comfort of your home.
In this recipe, I use my salt-free Indian spice blend from my spice company – The Spice Girl Kitchen. I’m completely biased because it is, after all, my spice recipe and the best salt-free Indian seasoning on the market. But feel free to use whatever Indian seasoning you have on hand – or make your own at home!
This post is all about the Authentic Butter Chicken Recipe!
Butter Chicken Vs. Tikka Masala
When it comes to Indian food, two dishes are the clear standouts. Those two dishes are butter chicken and tikka masala. But what exactly are the differences between these two famous dishes? While both dishes share a creamy base and a hint of tomato tang, the nuances lie in the specifics of preparation and the spice palette.
Butter Chicken
Picture tender pieces of chicken bathing in a luscious sauce consisting of tomatoes, cream, and, as the name suggests, butter! Butter Chicken, also known as “Murgh Makhani,” is a North Indian delicacy that is known for its rich and velvety texture. The chicken is typically marinated, grilled, and then simmered in a tomato-based sauce enriched with cream and butter.
Tikka Masala
In the realm of Tikka Masala, the spotlight shifts to the preparation of the meat. Tender chunks of marinated and grilled meat, often chicken, are nestled in a vibrant tomato-based sauce. This sauce is a symphony of spices, including garam masala, cumin, and coriander, creating a flavor profile that is both robust and nuanced. Unlike Butter Chicken, Tikka Masala showcases the art of blending spices with the grill-kissed essence of the meat.
Butter Chicken revels in its buttery opulence, while Tikka Masala dances on the palate with a medley of grilled flavors and aromatic spices.
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Cookbook Recommendations
One day, I would love to come out with my own cookbook – but for now, I am still learning and adapting my cooking using other people’s amazing recipes. If you are interested in this recipe, I assume you have an interest in Indian-style cooking in general. So here are some of my favorite cookbooks that I recommend you check out:
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Store & Reheat
As a general rule of thumb, anything that has a sauce tends to store and reheat well. That’s another reason I love this recipe! You can thank the delicious sauce for not drying out your chicken!
Store
Fridge: Transfer the dish to a large glass storage container with an airtight lid. Allow it to cool to room temperature before securing the lid (about 30-45 minutes; the exact time depends on the amount of meat). Store in the fridge for up to 4 days.
Freezer: You can also freeze the dish for up to 3 months. Place the dish in the fridge to thaw overnight for best results.
Reheat
Microwave: Place the dish in a microwave-safe dish, cover, and microwave on high for 1-3 minutes or until heated through. If reheating larger amounts, stir halfway through to warm it evenly.*
Stovetop: Place butter chicken in a pot over medium-high heat. Once the sauce is simmering, reduce to medium-low and cover for 5-7 minutes or until heated through. Stir occasionally.*
Oven: Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Place the dish in an oven-safe dish, cover it with foil, and cook for 10-15 minutes.* This is a great option to keep the food warm for a crowd!
* Total time depends on the amount you are reheating.
Authentic Butter Chicken Recipe
Ingredients
For The Chicken
- 1 1/2 lb chicken thighs
- 1 cup Greek yogurt
- 1/2 tbsp garlic paste
- 1/2 tbsp ginger paste
- 1 tbsp The Spice Girl Kitchen Indian Seasoning
- 1 tsp The Spice Girl Kitchen Tri-Salt Blend
For The Sauce
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 1 large onion, finely chopped
- 1/2 tbsp The Spice Girl Kitchen Indian Seasoning
- 1 14-oz can crushed tomatoes
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 3 tbsp unsalted butter
For Serving
- chopped cilantro, for garnish
- naan bread, for serving *not included in nutrition calculation
- cooked rice, for serving *not included in nutrition calculation
Instructions
Marinate the Chicken
- In a bowl, combine yogurt, ginger and garlic paste, Indian seasoning, and salt.
- Add chicken pieces to the marinade, ensuring they are well-coated. Marinate for at least 2 hours or overnight in the refrigerator.
Cook the Chicken
- Heat 2 tablespoons of oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
- Add the marinated chicken pieces and cook until browned on all sides. Remove from the skillet and set aside.
Prepare the Sauce
- In the same skillet, add the remaining oil. Sauté the chopped onion until golden brown.
- Stir in Indian seasoning, cooking for about a minute.
- Add crushed tomatoes, heavy cream, and butter. Simmer for 10-15 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld.
- Return the cooked chicken to the skillet, coating it in the creamy sauce. Simmer for an additional 10-15 minutes until the chicken is cooked through.
- Garnish with fresh cilantro, serve with rice and naan bread. Enjoy!
Notes
Store & Reheat
As a general rule of thumb, anything that has a sauce tends to store and reheat well. That’s another reason I love this recipe! You can thank the delicious sauce for not drying out your chicken!Store
Fridge: Transfer the dish to a large glass storage container with an airtight lid. Allow it to cool to room temperature before securing the lid (about 30-45 minutes; the exact time depends on the amount of meat). Store in the fridge for up to 4 days. Freezer: You can also freeze the dish for up to 3 months. Place the dish in the fridge to thaw overnight for best results.Reheat
Microwave: Place the dish in a microwave-safe dish, cover, and microwave on high for 1-3 minutes or until heated through. If reheating larger amounts, stir halfway through to warm it evenly.* Stovetop: Place butter chicken in a pot over medium-high heat. Once the sauce is simmering, reduce to medium-low and cover for 5-7 minutes or until heated through. Stir occasionally.* Oven: Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Place the dish in an oven-safe dish, cover it with foil, and cook for 10-15 minutes.* This is a great option to keep the food warm for a crowd! * Total time depends on the amount you are reheating.This post was all about how to make Authentic Butter Chicken.
Did you make this recipe? Make sure to tag me @thespicegirlkitchen_ on Instagram or @thespicegirlkitchen on TikTok! I love seeing your recreations! I will be your ultimate hype woman!
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I just made this tonight! It was fantastic. So easy and so tasty! I made it as written and didn’t change anything and it was perfect. I work from home, so at lunch, I made the marinate and cut my chicken into chunks, threw it into a gallon Ziplock and back into fridge. Very easy recipe. The only thing I changed was doubling it, for our family size. Thank you!!
Thank you SO much! I’m so glad you loved it!!!