This Indian butter chicken recipe delivers rich, creamy comfort food with authentic flavor made simple for home cooks. Also known as chicken makhani, it features tender chicken simmered in a velvety tomato butter cream sauce.
This version is perfect for busy weeknights, cozy weekends, or when you want something better than takeout without complicated steps.
If you have struggled with sauce that turns out thin, acidic, or separated, this method fixes that with proper simmering, balanced spices, and careful cream incorporation.
Why You’ll Love This Indian Butter Chicken Recipe
Easy stovetop method with pantry spices
Rich creamy sauce with authentic flavor
Family friendly and adjustable heat level
Perfect for meal prep and make ahead
Customizable with Instant Pot [paid link] option
Budget friendly compared to restaurant takeout
Indian Butter Chicken vs Chicken Tikka Masala
Butter chicken and chicken tikka masala are often confused but they are different dishes.
Butter chicken, also called chicken makhani, has a smoother creamier and slightly sweeter tomato butter sauce. Tikka masala is typically more tomato forward, more spiced, and less creamy.
Choose butter chicken when you want a rich mild comfort dish. Choose tikka masala when you prefer bolder spice and deeper heat.
For clarity, chicken makhani is the traditional name for butter chicken.
How to Make Indian Butter Chicken
This Indian butter chicken recipe builds flavor in layers. Proper browning and steady simmering are the keys to thick creamy sauce and tender chicken.
Stovetop Method
- Marinate chicken with yogurt garlic ginger and spices. Rest at least 30 minutes or overnight.
- Heat butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Cook chicken in batches until lightly charred and cooked through about 6 to 8 minutes. Remove and set aside.
- In the same pan sauté onion until soft about 4 to 5 minutes.
- Add garlic ginger and spices. Cook 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Stir in tomato sauce. Simmer 10 to 15 minutes until slightly thickened and darker in color.
- Reduce heat to low. Stir in heavy cream and return chicken to pan. Simmer 8 to 10 minutes until sauce coats the back of a spoon.
- Adjust salt to taste. Garnish with cilantro and serve.
Instant Pot Method
Use sauté mode to brown marinated chicken. Remove chicken.
Sauté onion garlic ginger and spices. Add tomato sauce and return chicken.
Seal and cook on high pressure for 8 minutes. Quick release.
Stir in cream and simmer on sauté mode 3 to 5 minutes until thickened.
This method is ideal for meal prep and hands off cooking.
Optional Thickening Tip
If sauce is too thin simmer uncovered until reduced.
For quicker thickening mix cornstarch with water and stir into sauce. Simmer until glossy and thickened.
What Can Go Wrong and How to Fix It
Too thin
Simmer longer uncovered or add small cornstarch slurry
Too thick
Add cream or chicken broth a tablespoon at a time
Bland
Increase salt slightly and add a pinch more garam masala
Dry or overcooked chicken
Use thighs and avoid over simmering
Separated sauce
Lower heat before adding cream and stir gently
Ingredients and What They Do
** You can find the full recipe ingredients and instructions on the printable recipe card below.
Chicken thighs or breasts: protein and texture
Yogurt: tenderizes and adds slight tang
Garlic and ginger: aromatic base flavor
Garam masala: core warming spice blend
Paprika or chili powder: color and mild heat
Tomato sauce: structure and acidity
Butter: richness and depth
Heavy cream: signature creamy texture
Salt: enhances overall flavor
Cilantro: fresh finishing note
Ingredient Substitution Notes
Coconut cream can replace heavy cream for dairy free option.
Greek yogurt may replace regular yogurt for thicker marinade.
Chicken breast works but thighs remain more tender.
Crushed tomatoes can replace tomato sauce but require longer simmering.
Recipe Tips
Marinate at least 30 minutes for the best tenderness
Avoid boiling after adding cream
Simmer the sauce long enough to remove the raw tomato taste
Use full-fat dairy for a smooth texture
Flavor deepens if made ahead and reheated gently
What to Serve With Indian Butter Chicken
When planning what to serve with Indian butter chicken, choose sides that absorb the creamy sauce.
Serve with basmati rice
Pair with warm naan or garlic naan
Add cucumber salad or kachumber
Serve alongside roasted cauliflower or sautéed spinach
Add lentils for a complete Indian inspired meal
Storage
Store in airtight container in refrigerator up to 4 days.
Reheat gently over low heat. Add splash of cream or broth if needed.
Freeze up to 2 months. Thaw overnight before reheating.
Time Saving Swaps
- Use rotisserie chicken to skip browning
- Use pre minced garlic and ginger
- Make sauce a day ahead
- Double batch and freeze half
Leftover Uses
- Turn into butter chicken wraps
- Use as pizza topping
- Serve over baked potatoes
- Stir into pasta for fusion meal
- Pack with rice for lunch
People Also Ask
Is chicken makhani the same as butter chicken?
Yes. Chicken makhani is simply the traditional Indian name for butter chicken.
What makes butter chicken different from tikka masala?
Butter chicken is creamier and milder. Tikka masala is more tomato-forward and more spiced.
Can I make Indian butter chicken without cream?
Yes. Coconut cream or cashew cream can be used, though the flavor changes slightly.
Why is my butter chicken sauce too thin?
It needs more simmering time. Cook uncovered until reduced or add small slurry.
Can I make butter chicken ahead of time?
Yes. Flavor improves after resting. Store refrigerated and reheat gently.
Final Thoughts
This Indian butter chicken recipe brings authentic creamy comfort to your kitchen with a simple, reliable technique. It solves common texture issues while delivering rich, balanced flavor every time.
Indian butter chicken recipe
Ingredients
For the chicken marinade:
- 2 lbs Boneless and skinless chicken, 1-inch cubes breast or thighs are both fine here
- 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt
- 2 tablespoons minced garlic
- 1 tablespoon minced ginger (or finely grated)
- 1 teaspoon Indian Kashmiri powder red chili powder, more or less to taste
- 2 teaspoons garam masala
- 1 teaspoon turmeric
- 1 teaspoon Salt more or less to taste
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
For the sauce:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 tablespoons Butter unsalted, or ghee
- 1 large white onion chopped
- 2 tablespoons garlic , minced
- 1 tablespoon ginger , minced or paste
- 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cumin . more or less to taste
- 1 1/2 teaspoons garam masala
- 1 teaspoon ground coriander
- 14 oz Crushed tomatoes
- 1 teaspoon Indian Kashmiri Powder Red Chili Powder, more or less to taste
- 1 1/4 teaspoons salt . more or less to taste
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 tablespoon sugar to balance the acidity of the tomatoes
- 1/2 teaspoon dried fenugreek leaves
Instructions
- In a zip-top bag or bowl, combine chicken with all the ingredients for the chicken marinade; let marinate for 30 minutes to an hour (or overnight if time allows).
- Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook chicken in small batches, making sure not to overcrowd the pan. Saute until browned – about 3 minutes on each side. Set aside while you prepare the sauce.
- Heat butter in the same pan. Saute the onions until they turn translucent while scraping up any browned bits stuck on the bottom of the pan.
- Next, add the garlic and ginger and saute for 1 minute until fragrant, then add ground coriander, cumin, and garam masala. Let spices bloom for about 20 seconds until fragrant. Stir occasionally.
- Then add the crushed tomatoes, chili powder, and salt. Let simmer for 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally. Allow the sauce to thicken and become a deep red color.
- Pour the sauce back into the pan. Stir in the cream, sugar, and crushed fenugreek leaves. Add the chicken and any collected juices back into the pan and cook for an additional 5-10 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through.
- Garnish with chopped cilantro and serve with rice and Naan bread.
Notes
Nutrition
More Recipes You’ll Love
If you loved this Indian Butter Chicken Recipe, you might also enjoy more recipes from our Indian Recipes Collection. Looking for even more ideas? Browse our full set of Recipe Group Boards to find your next favorite meal.
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