This butter chicken recipe is a simplified, home-cook friendly take on the classic Indian dish known as murgh makhani. With tender, yogurt-marinated boneless chicken and a creamy, buttery sauce, it delivers rich flavor without complicated steps or hard-to-find ingredients. Itโs a comforting weeknight dinner that feels just as special as something youโd order at Indian restaurants.
Why Youโll Love This Recipe
- An easy butter chicken recipe made entirely on the stovetop
- Tender chicken pieces thanks to a simple yogurt marinade
- A creamy, flavorful curry sauce that simmers in under 15 minutes
- Uses pantry spices commonly found at the grocery store
- Perfect with basmati rice or warm naan bread. Our turmeric rice is our favorite to serve with the butter chicken.
- A great recipe for both first-time cooks and experienced home chefs
- Elegant enough for a dinner party, simple enough for busy nights
Are you a fan of Indian-inspired food? Try our tandoori chicken kebabs or our slow cooker chicken tikka masala.
Ingredient Notes
- Boneless skinless chicken breasts or thighs: Both work well; chicken thighs stay especially juicy and tender.
- Greek yogurt: Forms the base of the marinade and helps tenderize the chicken; you can use non-fat or full-fat yogurt.
- Tomato purรฉe: Creates the base of the butter chicken sauce. Tomato passata or smooth tomato sauce can be substituted if needed, but not tomato paste.
- Heavy cream: Adds richness; for a dairy-free option, swap with full-fat coconut milk (flavor will vary slightly).
- Garam masala & cumin powder: Essential for that classic Indian cuisine flavor profile.
- Fresh ginger & garlic: Using fresh instead of garlic/ginger paste gives a brighter, more aromatic sauce.
See the recipe card below for a complete ingredient list and measurements for this delicious recipe.
Recipe Tips & Variations
- Cut chicken into evenly sized chicken pieces so they cook in a single layer and brown evenly.
- Keep the sauce at low heat after adding cream to prevent curdling.
- Add a pinch of cayenne pepper, red chili powder, or Kashmiri chili powder next time if you want more heat.
- Finish with crushed fenugreek leaves (kasuri methi) for a more traditional restaurant-style flavor for Indian food.
- This recipe is a great alternative if you love chicken tikka masala but want something richer and less tangy.
- A squeeze of lemon juice at the end brightens the final product.
How to Make The Best Butter Chicken
For the full recipe instructions, scroll down to the recipe card at the bottom of the page.
Step 1: In a medium bowl, combine the Greek yogurt, garam masala, cumin, salt, and pepper. Add the chicken and toss to coat. Let it marinate for at least 20โ30 minutes (or refrigerate up to 4 hours).
Step 2: Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium high heat. Add the marinated chicken and cook until the pieces are browned on the outside and cooked, about 6-7 minutes. Transfer the chicken to a plate and set aside.
Step 3: In the same skillet, melt the butter. Add the diced onion and cook until soft and translucent, 3-4 minutes.
Step 4: Stir in the garlic, ginger, garam masala, cumin, and salt. Stir well.
Step 5: Pour in the tomato puree and stir well.
Step 6: Bring to a simmer and cook for 2โ3 minutes. Return the chicken and any juices to the skillet. Stir to coat the chicken in the sauce. Reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 5-6 minutes.
Step 7: Stir in the heavy cream and let the sauce simmer on low for another 2โ3 minutes. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
Step 8: Serve with rice or naan and garnish with chopped cilantro if desired.
Homemade Butter Chicken FAQs
Store leftover butter chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Reheat gently on the stovetop over low heat, adding a splash of water or cream if the sauce thickens.
This dish reheats beautifully and often tastes even better the next day.
This butter chicken is gluten free but it is not dairy free.
Other Delicious Chicken Recipes
If you make this homemade butter chicken recipe, please let us know how it turns out in the comments below and/or rate the recipe! Donโt forget to tag us on Instagram to show us your finished productโit makes our day every time we see you trying the recipes we love!
Homemade Butter Chicken Skillet Recipe
Ingredients
For the chicken:
- 1 ยฝ pounds boneless skinless chicken breast (or thighs), cubed
- โ cup plain Greek yogurt
- 1 teaspoon garam masala
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- ยฝ teaspoon salt
- ยฝ teaspoon pepper
- 2 teaspoons olive oil or avocado oil
For the skillet
- 2 tablespoons butter
- ยฝ medium yellow onion, diced
- 2 teaspoons minced garlic
- 2 teaspoons minced ginger
- 1 teaspoon garam masala
- ยฝ teaspoon cumin
- ยฝ teaspoon salt
- 1, 15-ounce can tomato puree
- โ cup heavy cream
Recommended for serving
- Basmati rice (try our turmeric rice recipe!)
- Chopped cilantro, for garnish
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, combine the Greek yogurt, garam masala, cumin, salt, and pepper. Add the chicken and toss to coat. Let it marinate for at least 20โ30 minutes (or refrigerate up to 4 hours).
- Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium high heat. Add the marinated chicken and cook until the pieces are browned on the outside and cooked, about 6-7 minutes. Transfer the chicken to a plate and set aside.
- In the same skillet, melt the butter. Add the diced onion and cook until soft and translucent, 3-4 minutes.
- Stir in the garlic, ginger, garam masala, cumin, and salt. Stir well. Pour in the tomato puree and stir well. Bring to a simmer and cook for 2โ3 minutes. Return the chicken and any juices to the skillet. Stir to coat the chicken in the sauce. Reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 5-6 minutes.
- Stir in the heavy cream and let the sauce simmer on low for another 2โ3 minutes. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
Notes
- Save time/prep ahead:
- Marinate the chicken in a large bowl up to 4 hours ahead and keep it covered with plastic wrap in the fridge.
- Dice the onion and measure spices earlier in the day to streamline cooking time.
- The recipe can be found on My Fitness Pal by searching "BWB Butter Chicken." The nutrition content provided for each recipe is an estimate created through the My Fitness Pal database. Please be aware that the nutritional content of each recipe may vary based on the products you use, the precision of your measurements, and the source you use to obtain nutrition data. While we try to provide accurate information, we give no guarantee regarding the accuracy of the nutritional information provided.ย
J
This has amazing flavor! This was a great recipe to try out, thanks!