• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Skip to content
Preppy Kitchen logo
  • About
    • Meet John Kanell
    • Press
  • Recipes
    • Desserts
    • Breakfast
    • Main Dishes
    • Side Dishes
    • Breads
    • Soups
    • Salads
    • Casseroles
    • Instant Pot
    • Appetizers
    • Drinks
    • Holiday
  • Cookbook
  • Shop
  • Contact
menu icon
go to homepage
search icon
Homepage link
  • About
  • Press
  • All Recipes
  • Cookbook
  • Shop
  • Contact
  • Follow us on

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
  • ×

    Home » Recipes » Chicken » Butter Chicken

    Butter Chicken

    Published: January 7, 2019 · Modified: Sep 30, 2020 by John Kanell

    This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.

    This Butter Chicken (murgh makhani) recipe is rich, creamy and delicious and better yet is made with very few ingredients in no time at all. Serve this popular Indian curry with rice, naan and crunchy papadums for a better than take-out classic!

    Butter chicken on a plate garnished with coconut.
    412 shares
    • Share
    • Reddit
    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
    butter chicken in a blue bowl
    butter chicken in a blue bowl
    Butter chicken with rice on a blue and white plate.
    Butter chicken on a blue and white plate.
    Butter chicken garnished with green onion.
    Butter chicken on a porcelain plate.
    Butter chicken with limes and coconut.
    Butter chicken with rice on a plate.
    butter chicken in a blue bowl

    Butter chicken is one of those easy and delicious recipes that only requires a few basic ingredients and comes together in a snap. It’s one of our favorite weeknight dinners. There isn’t a ton of buter in the recipe but if has a wonderful creamy taste, you can also use ghee, which is Indian clarified butter.

    What You’ll Need For This Recipe

    Ingredients to make butter chicken on a marble counter.

    Chicken: This recipe actually calls for flavorful dark meat but you can use breasts if preferred/to appease picky eaters.

    Coconut milk: You can use heavy cream or coconut milk. Coconut milk is great if you’re lactose sensitive but both will give you a nice creamy base.

    Whole canned tomatoes: have a wonderful texture when you crush them by hand. You can definitely use crushed or diced tomatoes instead.

    Spices: feel free to add chili powder, cardamom and anything else you enjoy.

    Coconut: Flaked, unsweetened coconut is a nice garnish but totally optional.

    How to Make Butter Chicken

    Two photos showing chicken cooking in spices.

    1. Add the butter to a Dutch oven and add the spices.

    2. Add the chicken and cook until browned.

    Two photos showing adding onion and tomato to a chicken curry.

    3. Add the onion, ginger and garlic and saute.

    4. Add the tomato paste and stir.

    Two photos showing how to make butter chicken.

    5. Add the diced tomatoes and coconut milk (or heavy cream). Continue to simmer.

    6. Finally add in lime juice and serve.

    Serving Suggestions

    Rice and naan bread make a complete Indian meal along side this butter chicken. If serving rice go for long grain such as basmati and season it well. You can even add in some spices to liven it up. I also like to top with curry with crunchy cashews, coconut flakes and lime for added texture and flavor. And if you feel like going all out then papadums are always fun for serving with this too!

    A plate of butter chicken next to a glass of water.

    Pro Tips for this Recipe

    • Blooming spices in butter or oil helps release their flavorful oils, resulting in a richer-tasting curry dish.
    • Garam masala is a blend of spices that usually includes coriander, pepper, cumin, cardamom, and cinnamon. Whereas curry powder can be spicy (hot), garam masala is typically not.
    • You’re not trying to cook the chicken all the way through at first; just cook until it takes on a little color. It will finish cooking when it simmers.
    • Be sure to shake the can of coconut milk before using to allow the coconut milk solids to recombine.

    A close up of butter chicken in a bowl with rice

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Why is it Called Butter Chicken?

    This chicken curry originated in Northern Indian, named Murgh Makhani meaning chicken with butter. It gets its name from the buttery, silky and incredibly addictive sauce and would have originally been cooked with ghee (clarified butter). If you love this Indian curry for it’s creamy tomato rich sauce then you’ll also love Chicken Tikka Masala, another recipe you don’t want to miss!

    What Ingredients do I Need?

    • Butter – Can’t have butter chicken without the butter right? Actually, it’s not essential you can use oil but I love to use it for extra richness and creaminess.
    • Chicken – Chicken thighs are used in this dish, they’re succulent and extra flavorful but you can also use chicken breasts if preferred.
    • Spices – Garam Masala and curry powder add immense flavor to this curry and a little goes a long way!
    • Onion, Garlic, Ginger – Three important flavors for this chicken curry recipe and they add a ton of freshness.
    • Tomatoes – I use tomato paste for umami flavor and diced tomatoes for freshness.
    • Coconut Milk – Add a luxurious creamy texture to the sauce that’s hard to resist. You can also use heavy cream or yogurt.

    Can I Make it in Advance?

    Absolutely, Indian curries taste even better the next day just like a good stew or meat sauce does. The flavors get a chance to develop even further and become extra delicious. Make the curry 1-2 days in advance (although it can be served immediately) and keep it in a sealed container in the fridge before reheating.

    How to Store Leftovers and Freeze Butter Chicken

    Leftovers will store well in the fridge for up to 4 days but just make sure to keep them covered or in a sealed container. It also freezes really well and is great for meal prep. Thaw completely before reheating. Pro Tip: Why not make a double batch and freeze some for a super quick and easy weeknight meal!

    If you love this recipe try these out!

    • An overhead shot of Kung Pao chicken on a blue plate with a glass of wine beside it

      Kung Pao Chicken

    • Chicken fried rice in a white bowl with a skillet behind it

      Chicken Fried Rice

    • A bowl of chicken tortilla soup in front of a dutch oven with more soup.

      Chicken Tortilla Soup

    • An overhead shot of Chicken Tikka Masala in a bowl

      Chicken Tikka Masala

    • A chicken casserole with a serving removed and a spoon inside the baking dish.

      Chicken Casserole

    If you’ve tried this Butter Chicken recipe then don’t forget to leave a rating and let me know how you got on in the comments below, I love hearing from you!

    Butter chicken with rice on a blue and white plate.
    Print
    5 from 26 votes

    Butter Chicken

    Creamy and flavor packed Butter Chicken made from scratch in no time. Don't forget to check out our step by step photos and tips above!
    Course Main Course
    Cuisine Indian
    Prep Time 10 minutes
    Cook Time 20 minutes
    Total Time 30 minutes
    Servings 4 servings
    Calories 640kcal
    Author John Kanell

    Ingredients

    • 3/4 cup butter or ghee
    • 1 Tbsp. curry powder
    • 2 Tbsp. garam masala
    • 2 lb. boneless skinless chicken thighs cut into 1-inch pieces
    • 1 cup diced yellow onion
    • 3 Tbsp. minced garlic
    • 3 Tbsp. minced ginger
    • 1/4 cup tomato paste
    • 1 28-oz. can crushed tomatoes
    • 1 1/2 cups heavy cream or coconut milk
    • 1/2 tsp salt
    • 2 Tbsp. lime juice
    • Rice chopped roasted cashews, coconut flakes, and lime wedges, to serve

    Instructions

    • Heat butter in a Dutch oven over medium heat.
    • Stir in curry and garam masala; stir and cook until fragrant, about 2 minutes.
    • Add chicken; stir to coat in spices and butter.
    • Add onion, garlic, and ginger to skillet.
    • Cook, stirring occasionally, until chicken is slightly browned, about 5 minutes.
    • Stir in tomato paste until combined.
    • Stir in tomatoes and cream until combined.
    • Reduce heat to medium-low; simmer, stirring occasionally, 10 minutes.
    • Remove from heat; stir in lime juice.
    • To serve, spoon chicken mixture over rice; top with cashews and coconut flakes, if desired.
    • Serve with lime wedges.

    Video

    Notes

    • Blooming spices in butter or oil helps release their flavorful oils, resulting in a richer-tasting curry dish.
    • Garam masala is a blend of spices that usually includes coriander, pepper, cumin, cardamom, and cinnamon. Whereas curry powder can be spicy (hot), garam masala is typically not.
    • You’re not trying to cook the chicken all the way through at first; just cook until it takes on a little color. It will finish cooking when it simmers.
    • Be sure to shake the can of coconut milk before using to allow the coconut milk solids to recombine.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 640kcal | Carbohydrates: 21g | Protein: 49g | Fat: 42g | Saturated Fat: 27g | Cholesterol: 246mg | Sodium: 522mg | Potassium: 1226mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 674IU | Vitamin C: 21mg | Calcium: 121mg | Iron: 7mg
    *Nutrition Disclaimer
    Have you Tried this Recipe? Tag me Today!Mention @preppykitchen and tag #preppykitchen!
    « Chicken Tikka Masala
    Winter Wonderland White Chocolate Cake »

    Primary Sidebar

    Welcome to Preppy Kitchen!

    Thanks for stopping by! I’m John Kanell, a husband, dad to twins Lachlan and George, Los Angeles native, and an avid baker and cooker of all things delicious thanks to a life long education from my mother. This blog is where I share all of my kitchen creations!

    Search

    Follow Us On

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube

    Preppy Kitchen Newsletter

    Sign up to receive recipes, recommendations and tips straight to your inbox!

    Buy My Book

    Preppy Kitchen Cookbook

    As Seen On

    As seen on Elle Décor, People, Food Network and more

    Top recipes This Month

    • A stack of peanut butter cookies on a small wooden board

      Peanut Butter Cookies Recipe

    • An Oatmeal Chocolate Chip cookie next to a glass of milk

      Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies

    • Lemon bars dusted with powdered sugar on a green and white plate.

      Lemon Bars

    • A group of pink macarons on a serving tray next to flowers

      Macaron Recipe

    • A photo of a vanilla cupcake on a cupcake stand with vanilla buttercream frosting beautifully piped on top.

      Buttercream Frosting

    • A plate with multiple cake pops on it with one with a bite taken out.

      Cake Pops

    • A group of shortbread cookies. some are stacked while others are on crumpled paper.

      Shortbread Cookies Recipe

    • A cake stand with a slice of red velvet cake cut out and placed on a plate in front.

      Red Velvet Cake

    • A slice of vanilla cake on a plate in front of the cake on a cake stand.

      Vanilla Cake Recipe

    • A slice of lemon cake on a plate in front of a cake stand holding the rest of the cake.

      Lemon Cake

    Footer

    As Seen On:

    Elle Décor, People, Country Living, Better Homes & Gardens, Food Network, Woman's Day, forkly, Yummly, the Bump, Buzz Feed, Home and Family and New York magazine.

    The Brand

    • About John
    • Press

    Preppy Kitchen Logo

    Dessert Recipes

    • Cakes
    • Cookies
    • Cupcakes
    • Pies
    • All Desserts

    Main Course Recipes

    • Main Dishes
    • Side Dishes
    • Casseroles
    • InstantPot
    • Soups
    • Salads

    COPYRIGHT © 2015–2023 PREPPY KITCHEN | PRIVACY POLICY

    412 shares