{"id":90544,"date":"2026-05-05T03:10:02","date_gmt":"2026-05-05T03:10:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/diyhaven858.wasmer.app\/index.php\/seriously-good-butter-chicken-recipe\/"},"modified":"2026-05-05T03:10:02","modified_gmt":"2026-05-05T03:10:02","slug":"seriously-good-butter-chicken-recipe","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/diyhaven858.wasmer.app\/index.php\/seriously-good-butter-chicken-recipe\/","title":{"rendered":"Seriously Good Butter Chicken Recipe"},"content":{"rendered":"
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This Indian butter chicken recipe simmers spiced yogurt-marinated chicken in a creamy, buttery tomato sauce. We love serving over rice and with plenty of naan for dipping.<\/p>\n<\/figure>\n
After sharing our chicken curry, we received so many requests for more curries. So, we immediately added butter chicken to our testing list. I\u2019m so glad we did, because I\u2019m not exaggerating when I say that this recipe has quickly risen to the top of our favorites list.<\/p>\n
Our butter chicken recipe below intentionally makes a lot of servings, so make it for a crowd or take advantage of the extras and save them for another day (which is great because I swear the leftovers just get better). For more like this, see our chicken tikka masala, which is heavier on the spices and tomatoes and uses less butter.<\/p>\n
Key Ingredients<\/h2>\n
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Chicken Thighs:<\/strong> We prefer boneless, skinless thighs cut into bite-size pieces. We love thighs over chicken breasts for this recipe because they stay soft and tender even after the two-step cooking process (roasting and simmering). However, you can use chicken breast, and even bone-in chicken, in the butter chicken recipe below\u2014see our tips for adjusting the cook times below the recipe.<\/li>\n
Onion, Garlic, and Fresh Ginger:<\/strong> Fresh is best here. Grate the ginger and garlic finely so they melt into the marinade and sauce. If you do not have a microplane, mince them finely instead. Store-bought ginger paste (sold in tubes) works, too!<\/li>\n
Yogurt and Lemon:<\/strong> Plain whole-milk yogurt (natural yogurt is great) and fresh lemon juice tenderize the chicken and help balance the richness of the cream.<\/li>\n
Spices:<\/strong> We use a mix of sweet paprika, garam masala, turmeric, coriander, cumin, and gochugaru (or crushed red pepper flakes as a substitute). Then, dried basil is our little secret weapon, adding a sweet, herby finish to the sauce (we can thank Chef Richard for that one).<\/li>\n
Ghee and Butter:<\/strong> We use ghee to cook the base of our sauce, then we whisk in cold, unsalted butter to create a glossy, emulsified texture. If you don\u2019t have ghee, use a neutral-flavored oil, such as avocado oil.<\/li>\n
Tomato and Cream:<\/strong> A large can of tomato sauce (or tomato puree) combined with heavy cream yields a thick, creamy curry sauce. If you only have a can of whole peeled tomatoes, simply blend them and use them in the sauce.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Find the full recipe with measurements below.<\/em><\/p>\n
How to Make Butter Chicken<\/h2>\n
Tip 1: Marinate the chicken.<\/strong> Yogurt is pretty magical in marinades, tenderizing protein like a charm (see our yogurt marinated chicken as proof). In this recipe, you\u2019ll marinate your chicken with yogurt, garlic, ginger, and spices. We recommend at least 1 hour, but you can leave it for longer (just keep it in the fridge).<\/p>\n
Tip 2: Cook the chicken separately.<\/strong> This one might seem odd, but the secret to the best butter chicken is to roast your marinated chicken in a hot oven until cooked with some lightly charred edges, then stir it into the sauce. It\u2019s simple to do, and this two-step process lets you cook your chicken and make the butter chicken sauce simultaneously, saving a bit of cook time.<\/p>\n
![\"Butter](\"https:\/\/www.inspiredtaste.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Butter-Chicken-Recipe-1.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n![\"Roasting](\"https:\/\/www.inspiredtaste.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/How-to-Make-Butter-Chicken-1.jpg\")
![\"Adding](\"https:\/\/www.inspiredtaste.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/How-to-Make-Butter-Chicken.jpg\")
![\"Adding](\"https:\/\/www.inspiredtaste.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/How-to-Make-Butter-Chicken-2.jpg\")
![\"Stirring](\"https:\/\/www.inspiredtaste.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/How-to-Make-Butter-Chicken-3.jpg\")
![\"Butter](\"https:\/\/www.inspiredtaste.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Butter-Chicken-Recipe.jpg\")