Quick & Easy Homemade Butter Chicken
If there’s one dish that instantly signals comfort, warmth, and pure indulgence, it’s Quick & Easy Homemade Butter Chicken. Creamy, lightly spiced, and deeply satisfying, this weeknight-friendly version delivers everything you love about classic butter chicken—without complicated steps, long marinating times, or specialty ingredients you can’t find at your local grocery store.
This recipe is designed for real life. It’s made in one skillet, comes together in under 45 minutes, and uses simple pantry spices while still delivering that unmistakable buttery, tomato-rich sauce that coats every piece of tender chicken. Whether you’re craving cozy comfort food after a long day or planning a relaxed dinner that still feels special, this Quick & Easy Homemade Butter Chicken fits the moment perfectly.
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Unlike traditional versions that require overnight marination or hours of simmering, this streamlined method focuses on maximum flavor with minimal effort. A quick yogurt marinade tenderizes the chicken, while butter, cream, and warm spices create a silky sauce that tastes slow-cooked—without actually being slow.
Serve it with fluffy rice, warm naan, or even spooned over roasted vegetables for a satisfying, restaurant-style meal made right at home.
Why You’ll Love This Quick & Easy Homemade Butter Chicken
This recipe isn’t just fast—it’s thoughtfully built for balance, flavor, and consistency. Here’s why it deserves a permanent place in your dinner rotation:
1. Truly Weeknight-Friendly
From start to finish, this Quick & Easy Homemade Butter Chicken takes about 45 minutes, including marinating time. The hands-on cooking is minimal, making it ideal for busy evenings.
2. One-Skillet Convenience
Everything cooks in a single pan, meaning fewer dishes and easier cleanup—always a win.
3. Creamy Without Being Heavy
The sauce is rich and velvety but not overwhelming. The balance of tomato, cream, and butter creates depth without excess.
4. Adjustable Heat Level
Mild, medium, or spicy—you control the heat. Skip the cayenne for family-friendly mild, or turn it up if you love spice.
5. Crowd-Pleasing Flavor
This dish appeals to everyone, from picky eaters to spice lovers. It’s comforting, familiar, and deeply satisfying.
6. Great for Leftovers
Like many saucy dishes, the flavors deepen overnight, making leftovers even better the next day.
Ingredients + Tips
For the Chicken & Marinade
Chicken Thighs
Boneless, skinless chicken thighs are ideal for Quick & Easy Homemade Butter Chicken because they stay juicy and tender. Chicken breast can be used, but reduce cooking time slightly to avoid dryness.
Greek Yogurt
Adds tenderness and helps spices adhere to the chicken. Even a short 15-minute marinade makes a noticeable difference.
Garlic Powder & Paprika
These provide savory depth and subtle warmth without overpowering the sauce.
Curry Powder
This adds complexity but remains gentle. It’s not traditional, but it works beautifully in a simplified version.
Salt
Seasoning early ensures the chicken is flavorful all the way through.
For the Butter Chicken Sauce
Vegetable Oil + Butter
Oil prevents burning during sautéing, while butter adds richness. Using both creates the perfect base.
Garlic & Onion
These aromatics build the foundation of flavor. Take time to soften them properly for the best sauce.
Tomato Sauce
Using canned tomato sauce keeps this recipe quick and consistent. Look for a smooth, well-balanced variety.
Sugar
Just a touch balances the acidity of the tomatoes.
Heavy Cream
Essential for that signature velvety texture. For a twist, coconut milk can replace part of the cream.
Garam Masala
Adds warmth and depth at the end. Always add it toward the finish to preserve its aroma.
Cayenne Pepper (Optional)
Controls the heat. Add gradually and taste as you go.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Marinate the Chicken
In a medium bowl, combine the chicken pieces with salt, garlic powder, paprika, curry powder, and Greek yogurt. Mix thoroughly until every piece is coated. Let marinate for at least 15 minutes.
Why it matters: Even short marination tenderizes the meat and layers in flavor.
Step 2: Cook the Chicken
Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the marinated chicken in a single layer. Cook for 8–10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until golden and cooked through. Remove chicken and set aside.
Tip: Don’t overcrowd the pan—this ensures proper browning.
Step 3: Build the Aromatic Base
Lower heat to medium. Add 1 tablespoon butter to the same skillet. Scrape up any browned bits. Add garlic and onion with a pinch of salt and sauté until soft and fragrant.
Step 4: Add Tomato Sauce
Stir in tomato sauce and sugar. Let simmer for 2–3 minutes to cook out raw tomato flavor.
Step 5: Creamy Transformation
Return chicken to the skillet. Pour in heavy cream and stir gently until the sauce turns smooth and orange.
Step 6: Season & Simmer
Add garam masala, curry powder, black pepper, and cayenne (if using). Reduce heat to low and simmer for 10 minutes.
Why low heat matters: It prevents the cream from separating and keeps the sauce silky.
Step 7: Finish with Butter
Stir in the remaining cold butter until melted and glossy. Taste and adjust seasoning.
Step 8: Serve
Garnish with parsley if desired and serve hot with naan and rice.
Flavor Profile Breakdown
Quick & Easy Homemade Butter Chicken delivers a perfectly balanced experience:
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Creamy: From butter and cream
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Savory: Garlic, onion, and garam masala
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Gently Spiced: Warm, not overpowering
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Slightly Sweet: Balanced tomatoes
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Rich Yet Comforting: Never heavy
This balance is what makes the dish so universally loved.
Variations & Customizations
Make It Spicier
Increase cayenne or add chili paste for extra heat.
Make It Dairy-Free
Use full-fat coconut milk and dairy-free butter.
Make It Lighter
Replace half the cream with evaporated milk or cashew cream.
Vegetarian Butter “Chicken”
Swap chicken for roasted cauliflower, chickpeas, or paneer.
Extra Smoky Flavor
Add a pinch of smoked paprika for depth.
Storage & Reheating
Refrigerator:
Store in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
Freezer:
Freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge.
Reheating:
Warm gently on the stovetop over low heat. Add a splash of cream or water if needed.
What to Serve with Quick & Easy Homemade Butter Chicken
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Steamed basmati rice
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Garlic naan or plain naan
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Roti or flatbread
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Cucumber yogurt salad
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Roasted vegetables
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Simple green salad
Common Mistakes to Avoid
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Cooking on high heat after adding cream
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Skipping seasoning adjustments at the end
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Overcooking chicken before simmering
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Forgetting the final butter finish
Each step contributes to that restaurant-quality texture.
PrintQuick & Easy Homemade Butter Chicken
This Quick & Easy Butter Chicken is creamy, comforting, and full of warm spices—all made in one skillet. Tender chicken thighs are lightly marinated, then simmered in a rich tomato-butter sauce finished with cream for that signature velvety texture. It’s perfect for weeknight dinners and tastes amazing with naan and fluffy rice.
Ingredients
For the Chicken & Marinade
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1½ lbs skinless boneless chicken thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
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1 teaspoon salt
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1 teaspoon garlic powder
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1 teaspoon sweet paprika
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½ teaspoon curry powder
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1 tablespoon Greek yogurt
For the Butter Chicken Sauce
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3 tablespoons vegetable oil
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3 tablespoons butter, divided
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6 garlic cloves, minced
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1 medium onion, diced
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1 (15-ounce) can tomato sauce
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1 teaspoon sugar
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1 teaspoon salt (adjust to taste)
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½ teaspoon black pepper
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2 cups heavy cream
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½ teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
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1 teaspoon garam masala
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½ teaspoon curry powder
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¼ cup freshly chopped parsley (optional, for garnish)
To Serve
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Naan bread
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Steamed rice
Instructions
In a medium bowl, combine the chicken with salt, garlic powder, sweet paprika, curry powder, and Greek yogurt. Mix until the chicken is evenly coated. Set aside to marinate for at least 15 minutes.
Heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the marinated chicken and cook for 8–10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until golden and fully cooked. Remove the chicken and set aside.
Lower the heat to medium. Add 1 tablespoon butter to the skillet and scrape up any browned bits. Add the garlic and onion with a pinch of salt and sauté until the onion is soft and fragrant.
Stir in the tomato sauce and sugar. Simmer for 2–3 minutes, then return the chicken to the pan. Pour in the heavy cream and stir until the sauce becomes smooth and orange in color.
Add cayenne pepper (if using), garam masala, curry powder, and black pepper. Simmer on low heat for 10 minutes, allowing the flavors to blend. Adjust salt if needed.
Stir in the remaining 2 tablespoons cold butter until melted and glossy. Garnish with chopped parsley if desired.
Serve hot with naan bread and steamed rice.
Notes
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Chicken thighs stay juicier than chicken breast, but both work.
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Cold butter at the end gives the sauce a restaurant-style silky finish.
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Adjust heat easily: Skip cayenne for mild, or add extra for spice.
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Make it richer: Replace ½ cup of cream with coconut milk for depth.
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Great leftovers: Flavors improve after a day in the fridge.
Nutrition Notes
This Quick & Easy Homemade Butter Chicken is rich and satisfying, making it perfect as an occasional indulgence. You can easily adjust richness depending on your preferences.
Estimated per serving:
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Calories: ~620 kcal
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Protein: ~38 g
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Fat: ~45 g
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Carbohydrates: ~14 g
Final Thoughts
Quick & Easy Homemade Butter Chicken is proof that comfort food doesn’t need to be complicated to be deeply satisfying. This recipe captures the heart of classic butter chicken—tender chicken, velvety sauce, warm spices—while adapting it for modern home cooks who want bold flavor without long prep times or hard-to-find ingredients.
What makes this dish truly special is its versatility. It works just as well for a quiet weeknight dinner as it does for entertaining guests. It’s forgiving, adaptable, and incredibly rewarding, even for beginner cooks. The one-skillet approach keeps things simple, while the final butter finish gives the sauce that glossy, luxurious texture we all crave.
Over time, this Quick & Easy Homemade Butter Chicken becomes more than just a recipe—it becomes a reliable favorite. It’s the dish you turn to when you want comfort, familiarity, and a little indulgence without stress. It reheats beautifully, tastes even better the next day, and pairs effortlessly with simple sides.
