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Authentic Butter Chicken Recipe

This Authentic Butter Chicken recipe will make you feel like you are at your favorite Indian restaurant. It's creamy, savory, and incredibly flavorful!
5 from 1 vote
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Marinate Time 2 hours
Course Main Course
Cuisine Indian
Servings 8
Calories 357 kcal

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.
Keyword Authentic Butter Chicken, Butter Chicken