Ask Chef Dennis

  • Recipe Index
  • About
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Recipe Index
  • About
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • Recipe Index
  • About
×
Home » Recipes » Chicken Recipes

Butter Chicken Recipe

Published: Feb 26, 2025 · Modified: Jun 15, 2025 by Chef Dennis Littley

11
SHARES
Facebook11PinterestFlipboard
Jump to Recipe
Pinterest Hidden ImagePinterest Hidden ImagePinterest Hidden ImagePinterest Hidden Image

This butter chicken recipe is an easy-to-make traditional Indian dish (murgh makhani) loaded with a zesty buttery flavor.

It’s made with bite-sized pieces of chicken that are cooked in a velvety smooth tomato cream sauce seasoned to perfection with warm, aromatic spices.

The completed butter chicken recipe in a bowl with rice and naan bread.


 

When it comes to curries, butter chicken is my favorite. Not only is it delightfully delicious, but it’s pretty easy to make at home. Made with simple ingredients that can be found in your local grocery store, it’s a dish you’ll love to make as much as you’ll love to eat.

And unlike some of the other recipes you’ll find on the internet, you don’t have to marinate the chicken with my recipe.

A spoon coming out of the pan with butter chicken.

The original version of butter chicken is made with marinated and grilled tandoori chicken. But our version is every bit as delicious and takes just about 30 minutes to prepare, making it perfect for busy weeknight dinners.

If you love spicy Indian dishes, make sure to try our chicken tikka masala recipe.

Table of Contents:
  • Ingredients
  • How to Make Butter Chicken
  • Recipe FAQs
  • More Recipes You’ll Love!
  • Recipe: Butter Chicken Recipe

Ingredients

Ingredients to make the reicpe.

Start by gathering the ingredients needed to make our easy butter chicken recipe. In culinary terms, this is called the Mise en Place, which translates into “Everything in its Place.”

Setting up your ingredients not only helps speed up the cooking process but also helps ensure you have all of the ingredients on hand to make the recipe.

How to Make Butter Chicken

Follow along with my easy numbered instructions to see how to make butter chicken in your own kitchen.

Collage showing how to begin the recipe.
  • Add the olive oil to a large skillet over medium heat. When the oil is hot, add the diced onions to the pan.
  • Cook the onions until translucent (about 5 minutes). Stir frequently to prevent burning.
  • Add the unsalted butter to the pan.
  • Stir until it is completely melted.
  • Add the grated ginger and minced garlic to the pan.
  • Stir to combine and continue cooking for about one minute until fragrant.
Collage showing how to finish the recipe.
  • Add the chicken pieces to the pan.
  • Cook for 2 minutes, stirring to turn the chicken so all of the sides get seared.
    *At this point in the recipe, we’re not trying to cook the chicken completely; we’re just searing the outside.
  • Add the garam masala, chili powder, table salt, and black pepper to the pan.
  • Stir to combine.
  • Add the tomato sauce, tomato paste, lemon juice, Greek yogurt, and heavy cream to the mixture. Stir until thoroughly combined.
  • Bring the mixture to a light boil, then reduce the heat to low and simmer for 8- 10 minutes to reduce the sauce slightly.
    *if the sauce gets too thick, add a little water. The dish should be saucy.
Finished recipe in a bowl with rice and naan bread.

Wouldn’t you like to make restaurant-style butter chicken in your own home kitchen? With our recipe, you may never have to order takeout again! Serve it with basmati rice, our homemade naan bread recipe, and Indian yogurt sauce for an Indian-style feast you won’t soon forget!

Leftovers should be stored refrigerated in an airtight container or well-covered with plastic wrap for 2-3 days. They can also be stored in a freezer-save container for up to 2 months.

Recipe FAQs

Are Butter Chicken and Tikka Masala the same?

No, they are not. They share some of the same ingredients, and they are both creamy tomato-based curries, but they are not the same.
Tikka masala is spicier and has a tangier flavor, while butter chicken has a richer sauce with a buttery flavor.

Is butter chicken really an Indian dish?

Yes, it is. Butter chicken, aka Murgh Makhani, as it’s called in India, comes from the northern part of the country. Compared to other curries, it’s relatively mild and is one of the most popular curries worldwide.

How spicy is butter chicken?

It’s mildly spicy. The heat can easily be turned up by increasing the amount of red chili powder or adding a little cayenne pepper to the sauce. You can also reduce the amount of red chili powder to make it less spicy.

More Recipes You’ll Love!

  • tikka masala with rice and naan bread in a white bowl.
    Chicken Tikka Masala
  • honey garlic chicken over white rice with broccoli
    Easy Honey Garlic Chicken
  • Huli Huli chicken with pineapple and rice on white platter.
    Huli-Huli Chicken
  • Per-peri chicken on a white platter with corn on the cob and peri peri sauce.
    Peri Peri Chicken

Butter chicken in a bowl with rice and naan bread.

Butter Chicken Recipe

Chef Dennis Littley
Butter chicken is a traditional Indian dish that's loaded with warm, aromatic flavors in a silky, smooth, buttery, tomato-based sauce, that can be on your table in about 30 minutes.
5 from 1 vote
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes mins
Cook Time 20 minutes mins
Total Time 30 minutes mins
Course Entree
Cuisine Indian
Servings 2
Calories 1058 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 medium sweet onion – small dice
  • 4 tablespoon unsalted butter ¼ cup = ½ stick
  • 1 tablespoon fresh ginger – grated
  • 2 cloves garlic – finely minced
  • 1 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts or thighs – cut into small bite-sized chunks
  • 1 tablespoon garam masala
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder
  • ½ teaspoon table salt
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 cup tomato sauce or pureed tomatoes -not spaghetti sauce
  • 2 tablespoon tomato paste
  • 2 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
  • ¼ cup plain Greek yogurt
  • 1 cup heavy cream

Instructions
 

  • Add the olive oil to a large skillet over medium heat.
  • When the oil is hot, add the diced onions to the pan and sauté until translucent (about 5 minutes). Make sure to keep stirring so the onions don't burn.
  • Add the unsalted butter to the pan, stirring until it is completely melted.
  • Add the grated ginger and minced garlic to the pan, stir to combine and continue cooking for about one minute, until fragrant.
  • Add the chicken pieces and cook for 2 minutes , stirring to turn the chicken so all of the sides get seared.
    *We're not trying to completely cook the chicken at this point of the recipe, just sear the outside.
  • Add the garam masala, chili powder, table salt and black pepper to the pan, stir to combine.
  • Add the tomato sauce, tomato paste, lemon juice, Greek yogurt and heavy cream to the mixture. Stir until completely combined.
  • Bring the mixture to a light boil, then reduce the heat to low and simmer 8- 10 minutes to reduce the sauce slightly.
    *if the sauce gets too thick add a little water. The dish should be saucy.
  • Serve with Basmati rice and Naan bread.

Nutrition

Calories: 1058kcalCarbohydrates: 30gProtein: 59gFat: 80gSaturated Fat: 44gPolyunsaturated Fat: 5gMonounsaturated Fat: 24gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 341mgSodium: 1628mgPotassium: 1772mgFiber: 5gSugar: 19gVitamin A: 3593IUVitamin C: 27mgCalcium: 191mgIron: 3mg
Tried this recipe? Pin it for Later!Mention @askchefdennis or tag #askchefdennis!

Comments

    5 from 1 vote

    Leave a Comment Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




  1. Lisa says

    April 28, 2025 at 1:08 pm

    5 stars
    Delicious. I have made this several times. Easy to make.

    Reply
    • Chef Dennis Littley says

      April 28, 2025 at 3:58 pm

      That’s what I like to hear!

      Reply


My name is Chef Dennis Littley, creator and owner of Ask Chef Dennis Productions. As a classically trained chef with 40+ years of experience in the kitchen, I share my time-tested recipes, knowledge, and chef tips to help you create easy-to-make restaurant-quality meals in your home kitchen.

More about me →

Fan Favorites

  • overhead view of barbecued half racks of baby back ribs on a white platter
    Oven Baked Baby Back Ribs
  • sliced meatloaf with the rest of meatloaf on a white platter
    Classic Meatloaf Recipe with Zesty Glaze
  • shredded cabbage mixed with coleslaw dressing in a glass bowl.
    Easy Homemade Coleslaw Recipe
  • Banana bread sliced on a cutting board.
    Banana Bread Recipe
  • chicken parm with pasta on a white plate
    Chicken Parmesan Recipe
  • seasoned crispy chicken legs on a foil wrapped tray
    Baked Chicken Legs

Featured In

Collage showing where Ask Chef Dennis has been featured.

Footer

↑ back to top

INFO

  • Privacy Policy
  • Disclosure Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Accessibility Policy

SUBSCRIBE

Sign Up Today and start getting my easy-to-make restaurant-quality recipes!

CONTACT

  • About
  • Contact

© 2009-2025 · Ask Chef Dennis · 30 N. Gould Street, STE 7204, Sheridan, Wyoming, 82801

Proud Member of:
Mediavine Publisher Network

Let's Get Social

Pinterest Facebook Flipboard Instagram YouTube LinkedIn

Rate This Recipe

Your vote:




A rating is required
A name is required
An email is required

Recipe Ratings without Comment

Something went wrong. Please try again.