. Quick & Easy Homemade Butter Chicken – esrecipes

Quick & Easy Homemade Butter Chicken

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Quick & Easy Homemade Butter Chicken

This easy homemade butter chicken recipe delivers a flavorful, restaurant-quality meal in under 45 minutes, skipping the traditional long marinade without sacrificing taste. It relies on common pantry spices and canned tomato sauce for a rich, creamy finish. 

Ingredients 

  • 1 tbsp vegetable oil
  • 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breast, cut into 1-inch cubes
  • 4 tbsp butter, divided
  • 1 medium yellow onion, diced
  • 2 tbsp ginger, freshly grated
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 2 tsp garam masala
  • 1 tsp ground cumin
  • 1 tsp turmeric
  • 1 tsp chili powder
  • 15 oz canned tomato sauce
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped, for garnish
  • Cooked basmati rice or naan, for serving 

Instructions

  1. Brown the chicken. Heat the oil and 1 tbsp of butter in a large pan over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook for 5–7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until browned. Remove the chicken and set it aside.
  2. Sauté the aromatics and spices. Reduce the heat to medium. Add the remaining 3 tbsp of butter to the pan. Sauté the diced onion for 3–4 minutes until soft. Add the ginger and garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant. Stir in the garam masala, cumin, turmeric, and chili powder. Toast the spices for 1 minute until fragrant.
  3. Simmer the sauce. Stir in the canned tomato sauce and bring to a gentle simmer. Add the heavy cream and stir until the sauce turns a beautiful orange color. Season with salt.
  4. Finish the dish. Return the cooked chicken to the pan. Reduce the heat to low and let the sauce simmer for 10 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld.
  5. Garnish and serve. Garnish with fresh cilantro and serve hot over steamed basmati rice or with warm naan bread. 

Time-saving tips

  • Use chicken thighs: Chicken thighs stay moister and cook faster than breasts, absorbing more flavor.
  • Use canned sauce: Canned tomato sauce or passata is a great shortcut to a smooth, flavorful sauce without the need to simmer and blend fresh tomatoes.
  • Pre-minced ingredients: Using a jar of minced garlic and ginger can cut down on prep time. 

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