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Indian Butter Chicken in a bowl garnished with cilantro and cream

30-Minute Stovetop Indian Butter Chicken


  • Author: Rita
  • Total Time: 30 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings 1x

Description

This 30-minute stovetop Indian butter chicken is rich, creamy, and spiced to perfection with tomato puree, garlic, ginger, and garam masala for a quick, comforting dinner.


Ingredients

Scale

1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
3 tablespoons butter, divided
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1 yellow onion, finely chopped
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated
1.5 teaspoons garam masala
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon paprika
1/2 teaspoon ground turmeric
1/2 teaspoon chili powder (adjust to taste)
1 cup tomato puree or crushed tomatoes
1 cup heavy cream
1/2 teaspoon salt (adjust to taste)
1 tablespoon sugar (optional, to balance acidity)
Chopped fresh cilantro, for garnish


Instructions

Heat 1 tablespoon of butter and oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
Add the chicken pieces and cook for 5–6 minutes until browned and cooked through. Remove from skillet and set aside.
In the same skillet, add 1 tablespoon butter and sauté chopped onion for 3–4 minutes until soft.
Add garlic and ginger, sauté for 1 minute until fragrant.
Stir in garam masala, cumin, paprika, turmeric, and chili powder. Cook for 30 seconds to bloom the spices.
Pour in tomato puree and stir well. Simmer for 5–6 minutes to thicken slightly.
Reduce heat to medium-low and stir in the heavy cream. Simmer for another 3–4 minutes.
Return the chicken to the pan and mix until fully coated in sauce. Cook for another 3–4 minutes until heated through.
Stir in the remaining tablespoon of butter for extra richness.
Taste and adjust seasoning with salt or sugar as needed.
Garnish with chopped cilantro and serve hot with naan or rice.

Notes

For a lighter version, substitute coconut milk or Greek yogurt for the cream. You can use chicken breast for a leaner option, though thighs give more flavor. Add a pinch of sugar if your tomatoes are overly acidic. Marinating the chicken in yogurt and spices beforehand adds even more depth, though it’s optional for quick prep.

  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Category: Lunch or Dinner
  • Method: Stovetop
  • Cuisine: Indian

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 plate
  • Calories: 480
  • Sugar: 5g
  • Sodium: 630mg
  • Fat: 34g
  • Saturated Fat: 18g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 13g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 12g
  • Fiber: 2g
  • Protein: 32g
  • Cholesterol: 145mg

Keywords: Indian butter chicken, easy butter chicken recipe, stovetop chicken curry, 30-minute Indian dinner