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A bowl of rich and creamy butter chicken with naan bread.

Proven way to grow Butter Chicken in 25 minutes

This delicious butter chicken recipe is incredibly fast, perfect for a satisfying meal when you're short on time. It boasts rich flavors and tender chicken in a creamy tomato sauce.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings: 4 people
Calories: 450
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Chicken Marinade
  • 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs cut into 1-inch pieces
  • 0.5 cup plain yogurt
  • 1 tablespoon ginger-garlic paste
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder
  • 0.5 teaspoon turmeric powder
  • 1 teaspoon garam masala
  • 0.5 teaspoon salt
For the Sauce
  • 2 tablespoons ghee or unsalted butter
  • 1 medium onion finely chopped
  • 1 tablespoon ginger-garlic paste
  • 15 oz canned crushed tomatoes
  • 2 tablespoons cashew paste made from 1/4 cup cashews soaked in hot water for 10 minutes and blended
  • 0.5 teaspoon garam masala
  • 0.5 cup heavy cream
  • 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro chopped for garnish

Equipment

  • Large Skillet
  • Mixing Bowls

Method
 

Marinate and Cook Chicken
  1. Combine chicken pieces with yogurt, ginger-garlic paste, chili powder, turmeric, garam masala, and salt in a bowl and let it marinate for at least 10 minutes.
  2. Heat ghee or butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat, then add the marinated chicken and cook for 5-7 minutes until browned and cooked through. Remove chicken from the skillet and set aside.
Prepare the Sauce
  1. In the same skillet, add chopped onion and cook until softened, about 3-4 minutes.
  2. Stir in ginger-garlic paste and cook for another minute until fragrant.
  3. Pour in crushed tomatoes, cashew paste, and garam masala, then bring the sauce to a simmer and cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  4. Return the cooked chicken to the skillet, stir in heavy cream, and simmer for another 2-3 minutes until the sauce has thickened slightly and the chicken is fully heated through.
Serve
  1. Garnish with fresh cilantro and serve hot with naan or rice.

Notes

For an extra kick, add a pinch of cayenne pepper with the chili powder. Adjust spice levels to your preference.