With the same delicious flavours as the classic Indian curry, this amazing Easy Butter Chicken recipe is made in just 20 minutes. Tender chicken is cooked in a creamy, tomatoey sauce brimming with aromatic spices, yet it's mild enough to be family-friendly. Rice, yoghurt and cucumber make the perfect accompaniments.
Prep Time5 minutesmins
Cook Time15 minutesmins
Total Time20 minutesmins
Ingredients
1tbspolive oil
1tbspunsalted butter
1onion, finely diced
2garlic cloves, finely chopped
1tbspfreshly minced ginger
500gboneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
2tspgaram masala
1tspground cumin
1tspyellow mustard seeds
1tspground turmeric
1tspsea salt flakes
¼tspfreshly cracked black pepper
2tbsptomato paste
250mlthickened (heavy) cream
To serve
2tbspplain yoghurt
Coriander (cilantro) sprigs
1cucumber, finely sliced
½red onion, finely sliced
1fresh chilli (optional)
Steamed basmati rice topped with store-bought crispy fried shallots (optional)
Instructions
Heat the olive oil and butter in a large, heavy-based frying pan over medium heat.
Add the onion, garlic and ginger and cook, stirring, for 1 minute until fragrant.
Add the chicken, garam masala, cumin, yellow mustard seeds, turmeric, salt and pepper. Cook, stirring, for 3–4 minutes until the chicken is slightly browned.
Add the tomato paste and cream and stir to combine. Cook for 8 minutes more.
Serve with plain yoghurt, coriander, cucumber, red onion and chilli (if using) with steamed basmati rice, topped with crispy-fried shallots if you like.
Notes
MAKE AHEAD
Cook and refrigerate for up to 3 days in an airtight container or freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating. Freezing may change the texture and cause the cream to separate, but the flavour will still be amazing.
LEFTOVERS
Cook and refrigerate for up to 3 days in an airtight container or freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating. Freezing may change the texture and cause the cream to separate, but the flavour will still be amazing.
Nutrition Facts
Easy Butter Chicken
Amount per Serving
Calories
504
% Daily Value*
Fat
38
g
58
%
Saturated Fat
19
g
119
%
Trans Fat
0.2
g
Polyunsaturated Fat
3
g
Monounsaturated Fat
12
g
Cholesterol
202
mg
67
%
Sodium
817
mg
36
%
Potassium
750
mg
21
%
Carbohydrates
14
g
5
%
Fiber
2
g
8
%
Sugar
8
g
9
%
Protein
29
g
58
%
Vitamin A
1445
IU
29
%
Vitamin C
25
mg
30
%
Calcium
109
mg
11
%
Iron
3
mg
17
%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.