DINNER IN 40 MINUTES
PANTRY-FRIENDLY
1
Step 1
Mix the chicken with the yogurt, half the garam masala, the cumin, chilli powder and a pinch of salt. Leave for 10 minutes.
DINNER IN 40 MINUTES
PANTRY-FRIENDLY
CHICKEN · DINNER
Butter Chicken
Creamy butter chicken with yogurt-marinated chicken in a mildly spiced tomato and cream sauce. A 40-minute dinner for 4.
Total time40 min
YieldServes 4
DietNo specific diet
Shopping14 ingredients
DifficultyEasy
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Ingredients
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Method
5 steps · about 40 minutes total
2
Step 2
Melt the butter in a large pan and soften the onion for five minutes. Add the garlic and ginger and cook for one minute.
3
Step 3
Add the chicken and cook for five minutes, turning, until it starts to colour.
4
Step 4
Add the tomatoes and sugar and simmer for 15 minutes until the chicken is cooked through.
5
Step 5
Stir in the cream and the rest of the garam masala, heat through and scatter with coriander.
Before you serve
Cooking notes & good-to-know answers.
Small details for confident timing, useful swaps, and safer leftovers.
Cooking notes
Marinate the chicken for longer, up to overnight in the fridge, for even more flavour.
Blend the sauce before adding the chicken back if you like it very smooth.
Serve with rice or naan.
Good to know
It is one of the mildest curries. Reduce the chilli powder for children or leave it out.
Yes. Use extra yogurt stirred in off the heat, or coconut cream.
They are similar. Butter chicken is usually milder and richer, with more butter and cream.
About this recipe
Butter chicken is a mild, creamy curry of yogurt-marinated chicken in a buttery tomato sauce. This quick home version uses boneless thighs and pantry spices and is ready in 40 minutes.
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