Name: Easy Creamy Indian Butter Chicken Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 35 min
Cuisine: Indian
Ingredients: 1/2 cup plain yoghurt, full fat; 1 tbsp lemon juice; 1 tsp turmeric powder; 2 tsp garam masala; 1/2 tsp chilli powder or cayenne pepper powder; 1 tsp ground cumin; 1 tbsp freshly grated ginger; 2 cloves garlic, crushed; 1.5 lb / 750 g chicken thigh fillets, cut into bite size pieces; 2 tbsp (30 g) ghee or butter, OR 1 tbsp vegetable oil; 1 cup tomato passata (tomato puree); 1 cup heavy / thickened cream; 1 tbsp sugar; 1 1/4 tsp salt; Basmati rice; White rice; Coriander/cilantro leaves

Jump to Recipe· 3.9 from 72 reviews

If you’re craving a dish that perfectly balances rich, velvety sauce with tender, flavorful chicken, let me introduce you to this Easy Creamy Indian Butter Chicken Recipe. It’s one of those magical meals that feels indulgent but is surprisingly simple to make at home. The luscious buttery tomato sauce, infused with warm spices and fresh garlic and ginger, hugs every bite of juicy chicken, making each spoonful an absolute comfort feast. Whether you’re cooking for a weeknight treat or impressing friends at a dinner, this butter chicken will quickly become your go-to favorite.

Ingredients You’ll Need

A clear glass bowl filled with chicken wings coated in a thick, light orange sauce with some white streaks, giving a creamy and slightly textured look; a metal spoon with a black handle rests inside the bowl on the right side, partially submerged in the chicken mixture; the bowl is placed on a white marbled surface, and the overall scene looks bright and clean photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

All the ingredients for this recipe are straightforward, yet each one plays an essential role in building the depth of flavor, the creamy texture, and the inviting appearance of this dish. Using fresh spices and quality dairy products really elevates the final result.

Plain yoghurt, full fat: Acts as a tenderizing base for the chicken while imparting a slight tanginess to the marinade.
Lemon juice: Adds brightness and helps balance the rich creaminess of the sauce.
Turmeric powder: Gives a beautiful golden color and subtle earthiness to the marinade.
Garam masala: A fragrant blend of spices essential for authentic Indian flavor in the dish.
Chilli powder or cayenne pepper powder: Provides a gentle kick of heat, adjustable to your taste.
Ground cumin: Offers a warm, slightly smoky undertone.
Freshly grated ginger: Delivers a zesty freshness that’s critical to the curry’s character.
Crushed garlic cloves: Bring pungency and depth, making the sauce irresistibly savory.
Chicken thigh fillets: Juicy and tender, they soak up the marinade and hold up perfectly in the creamy sauce.
Ghee, butter, or vegetable oil: The cooking fat that carries all the spices and results in that silky finish.
Tomato passata (puree): Forms the tangy, rich base of the curry sauce.
Heavy or thickened cream: Makes the curry luscious, smooth, and indulgent without needing excessive butter.
Sugar: Balances the acidity of the tomato for a well-rounded sauce.
Salt: Enhances all the flavors, so don’t skip it!

How to Make Easy Creamy Indian Butter Chicken Recipe

Step 1: Prepare the Marinade

Start by mixing plain yoghurt, lemon juice, turmeric, garam masala, chili powder, ground cumin, freshly grated ginger, and crushed garlic in a bowl. Add the chicken thigh pieces, making sure each piece is lovingly coated in the marinade. Cover and let it rest in the fridge for at least 3 hours, but ideally overnight. This step is key for tender, juicy chicken brimming with flavor.

Step 2: Sear the Chicken

Heat ghee, butter, or oil in a large frying pan over high heat. Lift the chicken pieces out of the marinade without wiping it off—they’ll cook in that coating. Sear the chicken for about 3 minutes until it turns white all over; it won’t brown much because of the yoghurt marinade, but that’s perfectly fine as it will finish cooking in the sauce.

Step 3: Simmer the Sauce

Lower the heat and add tomato passata, cream, sugar, salt, plus any leftover marinade from the bowl (this adds extra layers of flavor). Stir gently to combine, then simmer the mixture on low for about 20 minutes. This slow cook lets the flavors meld together in that signature silky, rich sauce.

Step 4: Taste and Adjust

This part is like the grand finale: taste the sauce and adjust salt or sugar if needed. The goal is a perfect harmony of creamy, tangy, savory, and just a whisper of heat. At this stage, your kitchen is filled with incredible aromas that will have everyone counting down the minutes to dinner.

How to Serve Easy Creamy Indian Butter Chicken Recipe

The image shows a close-up of a bowl filled with creamy orange curry that has chunks of tender meat and is garnished with fresh green cilantro leaves on top. Two pieces of warm white naan bread with golden-brown spots are placed upright partially inside the curry. The bowl is metallic with an intricate dark design and sits on a dark, worn surface, with a white marbled texture background softly visible behind. A silver spoon is visible resting near the bowl. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Garnishes

Fresh coriander (cilantro) leaves sprinkled on top provide a vibrant, herbaceous contrast to the rich sauce and bring a beautiful pop of green. If you like some crunch, toasted cashews or slivered almonds make a lovely addition as well.

Side Dishes

This butter chicken is a star that loves great company! Serve it with fluffy basmati rice to soak up every bit of the luscious sauce. You could also offer warm, fresh naan bread or non-fried papadums for a delightful way to scoop or dip. A simple cucumber raita on the side cools and freshens the palate after each flavorful bite.

Creative Ways to Present

For a laid-back dinner party, serve this curry family-style in a large bowl surrounded by bowls of rice and various condiments. Alternatively, plate it elegantly by placing the chicken in the center of a shallow dish topped with coriander, with rice molded nicely on the side. Adding a swirl of cream on top can also make it visually irresistible.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

This butter chicken keeps beautifully in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days without losing its creamy magic. In fact, flavors deepen overnight, so leftovers can be even more delicious.

Freezing

If you want to keep this dish longer, freeze it in portions once cooled. Use freezer-safe containers or bags to preserve freshness for up to 2 months. Just remember to thaw it slowly in the fridge before reheating.

Reheating

Reheat gently in a saucepan over low heat, stirring occasionally. Add a splash of cream or water if the sauce feels too thick. Avoid microwaving at high power to keep the sauce smooth and prevent drying out the chicken.

FAQs

Can I use chicken breast instead of thigh fillets?

Yes, you can substitute with chicken breasts, but thighs are preferred because they stay moist and tender during cooking. Breasts can dry out if not watched carefully.

Do I have to marinate the chicken overnight?

While overnight marination yields the best flavor and tenderness, marinating for at least 3 hours still gives great results if you’re short on time.

What can I use if I don’t have garam masala?

You can create a simple substitute using equal parts ground cumin, coriander, cinnamon, and cardamom, or check if there’s an Indian spice mix available at your local store.

Is this butter chicken recipe very spicy?

This version is mild to medium spicy thanks to balanced chili powder. You can increase or reduce the chili to suit your heat preference.

Can I make this dish vegan or dairy-free?

To make a vegan version, replace the yoghurt and cream with coconut yogurt and coconut cream, and swap ghee/butter for vegetable oil. The flavor will shift slightly but still remain delicious.

Final Thoughts

There’s truly nothing like this Easy Creamy Indian Butter Chicken Recipe to bring warmth and comfort to your dinner table. It’s straightforward enough for a weeknight meal yet special enough to share with guests. Trust me, once you make it, you’ll keep coming back to that rich sauce and tender chicken combo that feels warm like a hug from the inside. Give it a try—you’ll be so glad you did!