The Best Classic Butter Chicken Recipe You’ll Ever Make

Classic butter chicken brings a symphony of rich, velvety flavors that dance across your palate with irresistible warmth.

Originating from northern indian cuisine, this beloved dish revamps ordinary ingredients into an extraordinary culinary experience.

Tender chicken pieces marinate in a complex blend of aromatic spices, creating depth and complexity that tantalize the senses.

Creamy tomato-based sauce envelops each morsel with luxurious smoothness, promising a meal that feels like a comforting embrace.

Home cooks and passionate food lovers recognize this recipe as a gateway to mastering indian-inspired cooking techniques.

Fragrant and indulgent, butter chicken represents more than just a meal—it’s a celebration of cultural heritage and gastronomic artistry.

Prepare to embark on a flavorful journey that will transport you straight to the bustling streets of delhi.

Storing and Reheating Classic Butter Chicken

• Refrigerate: Store leftover butter chicken in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Properly sealed, the dish stays fresh for 3-4 days in the refrigerator.
• Freeze: Transfer cooled chicken to freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags. Frozen butter chicken maintains quality for up to 3 months when sealed tightly.
• Reheat: Warm gently in a skillet over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally to prevent scorching. Add a splash of cream or water to restore original creamy consistency. Microwave works too, but cover and heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each to distribute heat evenly.

Side Dishes That Match Classic Butter Chicken

• Pair with Crisp White Wine: Select a chilled Riesling or Gewürztraminer to balance the rich, spicy butter chicken. These wines complement the creamy sauce and cut through the dish's intense flavors.
• Serve with Cooling Raita: Prepare a refreshing cucumber raita with yogurt, mint, and a pinch of cumin. The cool, tangy side dish helps temper the warmth of the chicken and provides a delightful contrast.
• Match with Garlic Naan Bread: Grab some freshly baked garlic naan to soak up the luxurious sauce. The soft, buttery bread perfectly captures the aromatic spices and adds a delicious textural element to the meal.
• Complement with Mango Lassi: Blend fresh mango, yogurt, and a touch of cardamom into a smooth drink. This sweet, creamy beverage acts as a soothing counterpoint to the spicy butter chicken, creating a harmonious dining experience.

Delicious Variations of Classic Butter Chicken

• Tandoori Chicken Butter Masala: Grill chicken in a tandoor or oven before adding to the sauce for a smoky flavor profile.
• Coconut Cream Butter Chicken: Replace heavy cream with coconut milk for a lighter, tropical-inspired version that adds a subtle sweetness.
• Vegetarian Butter Paneer: Swap chicken with cubed paneer cheese, maintaining the rich, creamy sauce and traditional spice blend.
• Spicy Green Chili Butter Chicken: Incorporate roasted green chilies and increase chili powder for heat-lovers seeking an extra kick of spiciness.

What Sets Classic Butter Chicken Apart

• Unleash Explosive Flavor Combinations: This butter chicken bursts with a symphony of spices like cumin, coriander, and garam masala that dance together, creating a complex and deeply satisfying taste profile that transforms ordinary chicken into an extraordinary culinary experience.
• Master Effortless Gourmet Cooking: Despite looking like a complicated restaurant dish, this recipe requires simple techniques anyone can master, with straightforward steps that take just 30-40 minutes from marination to serving, making restaurant-quality Indian cuisine accessible in your own kitchen.
• Creamy Comfort Meets Vibrant Spice: The luxurious combination of tangy yogurt marinade, rich tomato sauce, and velvety heavy cream creates a luscious texture that perfectly balances the bold, warming spices, delivering a comforting yet exciting meal that feels like a warm culinary hug.
• Versatile Meal Perfect for Any Occasion: Whether you're preparing a quick weeknight dinner, hosting a weekend gathering, or craving an indulgent comfort meal, this butter chicken adapts beautifully, impressing both family and guests with its sophisticated yet approachable flavor profile.

Ingredients for Classic Butter Chicken

• Chicken: Tender meat that absorbs rich marinade flavors and forms the main protein of the dish.

• Yogurt: Tenderizes chicken and adds tangy flavor to marinade.
• Heavy Cream: Creates smooth, rich sauce with luxurious texture.
• Butter: Provides rich base for sautéing and adds depth to overall flavor.

• Onion: Provides sweet foundational flavor for sauce base.
• Garlic: Adds sharp, pungent depth to the dish.
• Ginger: Brings warm, slightly spicy undertone to the recipe.

• Cumin, Coriander, Garam Masala, Turmeric, Chili Powder, Cinnamon: Complex spice blend that creates authentic Indian flavor profile.

• Salt, Black Pepper: Enhances overall taste and balances spice blend.

• Lemon Juice: Adds brightness and helps tenderize chicken.
• Tomato Sauce: Creates rich, tangy base for the curry sauce.

• Fresh Cilantro: Adds fresh, herbal finish to the dish.

• Rice, Naan: Traditional accompaniments that complement the chicken.

How to Cook Classic Butter Chicken at Home

Step 1: Prepare the Marinade

• Yogurt
• Lemon juice
• Cumin
• Coriander
• Garam masala
• Turmeric
• Chili powder
• Cinnamon
• Salt
• Pepper

Add chicken pieces and coat thoroughly. Let marinate for at least 1 hour or overnight in the refrigerator.

Step 2: Sauté Aromatics

Heat butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add chopped onions and cook until soft and translucent, about 5 minutes.

Step 3: Add Fragrant Spices

Stir in minced garlic and grated ginger. Cook for 2 minutes until the kitchen fills with a mouth-watering aroma.

Step 4: Cook the Chicken

Add marinated chicken to the skillet. Cook until golden brown on all sides, approximately 8-10 minutes.

Step 5: Create the Sauce

Pour in tomato sauce and mix well. Lower heat and let the dish simmer for 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Step 6: Finish with Cream

Blend in heavy cream and continue simmering for an additional 5 minutes until the sauce reaches a rich, creamy consistency.

Step 7: Garnish and Serve

Sprinkle fresh cilantro on top. Serve piping hot alongside steamed rice or warm naan bread.

Classic Butter Chicken Tips for Rich Flavor

• Marinate Masterfully: Let chicken sit in yogurt mixture overnight for deeper, more intense flavor absorption and tenderness.
• Butter Browning Technique: Carefully brown chicken pieces without burning to develop rich, caramelized exterior and seal in juices.
• Spice Blending Secret: Toast whole spices before grinding to enhance their aromatic oils and create more complex, robust taste profile.
• Cream Stirring Wisdom: Add cream slowly and at low heat to prevent curdling and maintain smooth, silky sauce consistency.
• Temperature Control Trick: Use medium-low heat when simmering to ensure gentle cooking and prevent sauce from separating or scorching.

Classic Butter Chicken Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.8 from 33 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 45 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Mumbaikar-style butter chicken brings rich, creamy magic from India’s culinary heart. Marinated tender chicken simmers in velvety tomato-cream sauce, delivering complex spices that dance across palates and transport diners to authentic subcontinental kitchens.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Protein:

• 1 lb (454 grams) boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces

Spices and Seasonings:

• 2 teaspoons ground cumin
• 2 teaspoons ground coriander
• 1 teaspoon garam masala
• 1 teaspoon turmeric
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
• Salt and pepper to taste

Wet Ingredients and Aromatics:

• 1 cup plain yogurt
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice
• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 1 onion, finely chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated
• 1 can (14 oz / 400 grams) tomato sauce
• 1 cup heavy cream

Garnish and Serving:

• Fresh cilantro, chopped, for garnish
• Cooked rice or naan, for serving

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Create a robust marinade by whisking together yogurt, lemon juice, cumin, coriander, garam masala, turmeric, chili powder, cinnamon, salt, and pepper in a spacious mixing container.
2. Thoroughly coat chicken pieces in the aromatic marinade, ensuring each morsel is completely covered. Refrigerate for a minimum of 60 minutes or ideally overnight to intensify flavor penetration.
3. Melt unsalted butter (113 grams or ) in a large skillet over medium temperature, creating a golden cooking base.
4. Sauté finely chopped onions until they transform into a soft, translucent mixture, approximately 4-5 minutes, releasing their natural sweetness.
5. Introduce minced garlic and freshly grated ginger, allowing their pungent aromatics to bloom and permeate the cooking environment for 1-2 minutes.
6. Transfer marinated chicken into the skillet, cooking until exterior surfaces achieve a rich, golden-brown coloration, approximately 7-9 minutes, rotating pieces to ensure uniform cooking.
7. Pour tomato sauce into the skillet, gently incorporating with the chicken and spice mixture. Reduce heat to low, allowing the dish to simmer and develop complex flavors for 15-18 minutes, stirring periodically.
8. Incorporate heavy cream (120 milliliters or 4 fluid ounces), stirring gently to create a luxurious, velvety texture. Continue simmering for an additional 4-5 minutes.
9. Finish the dish by garnishing with freshly chopped cilantro leaves, presenting a vibrant, aromatic butter chicken ready to be served alongside steamed basmati rice or warm naan bread.

Notes

• Marinate chicken for maximum flavor by letting it soak in the yogurt spice mixture overnight in the refrigerator.
• Cooking onions slowly releases their natural sweetness, creating a rich base for the sauce.
• Use fresh ginger and garlic to enhance the aromatic depth of the classic Indian dish.
• Simmer the chicken on low heat to ensure tender meat and allow spices to meld together.
• Finish with a splash of heavy cream for a luxurious, velvety texture that balances the spicy tomato sauce.
• Garnish with fresh cilantro to add a bright, herbal note that cuts through the richness of the dish.

• Prep Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 35 minutes
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: Indian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 485 kcal
• Sugar: 7 g
• Sodium: 580 mg
• Fat: 35 g
• Saturated Fat: 22 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 1 g
• Carbohydrates: 12 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 32 g
• Cholesterol: 190 mg