If you’re craving a dish that feels like a warm hug after a long day, this Quick & Easy Homemade Butter Chicken Recipe is exactly what you need. It’s creamy, comforting, and full of rich spices that come together in a flash, making it perfect for busy weeknights or when you want to impress without fuss. I love how the smoky paprika and garam masala create that classic butter chicken flavor, all without hours of prep or complicated steps.

What makes this recipe special is how approachable it is—no need for fancy ingredients or restaurant-level skills. You’ll have tender chicken bathed in a luscious, buttery tomato sauce in under an hour, and the best part? It’s incredibly satisfying and pantry-friendly. Once you try this Quick & Easy Homemade Butter Chicken Recipe, I guarantee it’ll become a staple in your rotation.

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Why This Recipe Works

Simple Ingredients: Uses everyday pantry staples that you probably already have on hand, making it budget-friendly and convenient.
Quick Cooking: The chicken marinates briefly and cooks fast, so you’re not stuck waiting forever for dinner.
Balanced Flavors: Combines creamy, tangy, and mildly spiced notes without being overwhelming, perfect for all taste buds.
Rich, Velvety Sauce: The butter and cream make the sauce silky smooth and indulgent, elevating this dish beyond basic tomato chicken.

A white bowl holds three main layers: at the back, folded pieces of golden-brown naan bread with toasted spots; in the middle, a mound of fluffy white rice sprinkled lightly with chopped green herbs; and in the front, chunky pieces of chicken covered in a thick, smooth, orange curry sauce with green herb bits and visible black pepper flakes. The bowl is set on a white marbled surface with a white pumpkin-shaped decoration blurred in the background, photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

Each ingredient in this Quick & Easy Homemade Butter Chicken Recipe plays a crucial role—from tenderizing the chicken to building layers of flavor in the sauce. Understanding why they work together helps you nail every step confidently.

Chicken thighs: I prefer thighs because they’re juicy and stay tender during cooking—breast meat can dry out more easily.
Greek yogurt: This acts as a gentle marinade base, tenderizing the chicken and helping the spices stick.
Sweet paprika: Adds smoky warmth without overpowering heat, balancing the curry flavors beautifully.
Curry powder & garam masala: Key spice combos for authentic butter chicken flavor with aromatic, earthy notes.
Butter & heavy cream: These enrich the sauce and give it that signature silky, luscious texture you want to dive into.
Tomato sauce: Provides a tangy base that brightens the richness and harmonizes with the spices.
Onion & garlic: Classic flavor foundation—slowly sautéed until soft and fragrant for best depth.
Cayenne pepper (optional): Just a pinch adds a gentle heat if you like things a little spicy.
Fresh parsley: A fresh herbaceous note to finish the dish and add that pop of green color.

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Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Tweak to Your Taste

I love that this Quick & Easy Homemade Butter Chicken Recipe is so versatile—you can tweak the spices or creaminess to suit your mood or dietary needs. Feel free to get creative and make it your own family favorite.

Variation: Sometimes, I swap heavy cream for coconut milk for a dairy-free twist that gives a slightly tropical edge—perfect if you want a lighter feel.
Spice level: If you prefer it fiery, I bump up the cayenne or add fresh chopped green chilies early in the sauce.
Protein swap: Don’t hesitate to try this with cubed tofu or paneer for a vegetarian-friendly version that tastes just as dreamy.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Quick & Easy Homemade Butter Chicken Recipe

Step 1: Marinate the Chicken

Start by tossing your chicken pieces with salt, garlic powder, sweet paprika, curry powder, and Greek yogurt in a bowl. Mix it thoroughly, so every piece gets a flavorful coating. I like to let it sit for at least 15 minutes—it’s usually enough time for the yogurt to tenderize the chicken and the spices to settle in. You can multitask while it marinates, which is a huge time saver!

Step 2: Cook the Chicken Until Golden

Heat the vegetable oil over medium-high heat in a large skillet. Add your marinated chicken, spreading it out so it cooks evenly. Stir occasionally and let the chicken turn golden brown and cook through, which usually takes 8-10 minutes. Don’t overcrowd the pan to avoid steaming the chicken; you want that lovely caramelization for extra flavor. Once cooked, remove the chicken and set it aside.

Step 3: Build the Sauce Base

Turn the heat down to medium and add a tablespoon of butter to the pan with the leftover oils and browned bits—that’s liquid gold! Sauté minced garlic and diced onions with a pinch of salt until soft and aromatic, about 5 minutes. The smell at this stage is what gets me every time—it’s the foundation for that deep, rich butter chicken sauce.

Step 4: Add Tomato Sauce and Chicken

Pour in the tomato sauce and sprinkle sugar to balance the acidity. Let it simmer for a couple of minutes, stirring occasionally. Then pop your cooked chicken back into the skillet and mix everything together, allowing the chicken to soak up those flavors.

Step 5: Creamy, Spiced Goodness

Slowly stir in the heavy cream until the sauce turns that gorgeous orange color we all love. Add your garam masala, curry powder, black pepper, and a dash of cayenne if you enjoy a little heat. Let the sauce simmer gently on low for 10 minutes—the flavors will mellow and fuse beautifully.

Step 6: The Butter Finish

Stir in the remaining butter in small pieces to melt into the sauce for a silky, decadent finish. This step is the secret to that melt-in-your-mouth texture and richness. Sprinkle fresh parsley for a pop of color and freshness if you have it on hand.

Pro Tips for Making Quick & Easy Homemade Butter Chicken Recipe

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Use Thighs for Juiciness: Chicken thighs stay tender and juicy; lean cuts like breasts can get tough and dry quickly.
Don’t Skip Marinating: Even a short 15-minute marinade makes a world of difference in flavor and texture.
Control Your Heat: Start with less cayenne and adjust according to your spice tolerance; you can always add more later.
Butter Last for Shine: Adding butter at the end keeps the sauce glossy and silky without breaking or overcooking it.

How to Serve Quick & Easy Homemade Butter Chicken Recipe

A white bowl holds three layers: on the left, a thick orange curry sauce with visible herbs and spices covers chunks of food, topped with small green herb pieces; in the middle and right, white rice with small green herb flecks is placed; behind the rice, several pieces of light golden-brown naan bread slightly overlapping each other rest against the bowl's edge. The bowl is placed on a white marbled surface with a white decorative pumpkin in the background. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Garnishes

I usually finish with a sprinkle of freshly chopped parsley because it adds that lovely herbaceous brightness and a fresh contrast to the creamy sauce. Cilantro works wonderfully too if you prefer that earthy, citrusy flavor. A dollop of yogurt or a squeeze of lemon on the side can balance the richness perfectly.

Side Dishes

Nothing beats pairing butter chicken with warm naan bread to scoop up every bit of that luscious sauce. I also love serving it alongside fluffy basmati rice or steamed jasmine rice, which soaks up the sauce beautifully. If you want some greens, a simple cucumber raita or a fresh salad with lemon dressing adds refreshing balance.

Creative Ways to Present

For a special dinner, I like to serve the butter chicken in small copper or earthenware bowls to keep it warm and rustic. You can also layer it over rice in individual bowls and garnish with toasted nuts like cashews or almonds for an extra crunch. A side of grilled vegetables or roasted cauliflower adds some color and texture for company meals.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I usually keep leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. The sauce actually tastes even better the next day as the flavors deepen. Just give it a good stir before reheating to bring back that creamy texture.

Freezing

This butter chicken freezes well, too. I portion it into freezer-safe containers and freeze for up to 2 months. When you’re ready, thaw overnight in the fridge before gently reheating on the stove.

Reheating

I reheat leftovers gently over medium-low heat, adding a splash of water or cream if the sauce has thickened too much. Avoid microwaving too aggressively, which can cause the cream to separate—stove top is definitely the way to go for best results.

FAQs

Can I use chicken breasts instead of thighs?

Yes, you can! Just be mindful that chicken breasts cook faster and tend to dry out if overcooked. Keep a close eye while cooking and consider reducing the cooking time to keep the chicken juicy.
Is it possible to make this butter chicken recipe dairy-free?

Absolutely! You can substitute the heavy cream and butter with coconut cream and coconut oil or dairy-free butter alternatives. Using coconut milk adds a delicious slight sweetness that complements the spices well.
How long should I marinate the chicken?

For this Quick & Easy Homemade Butter Chicken Recipe, 15 minutes of marinating is enough to tenderize and flavor the chicken. However, if you have more time, marinating for a few hours or overnight will deepen the flavors even more.
Can I prepare the sauce ahead of time?

Yes! The sauce can be made ahead and stored separately in the fridge for up to 2 days. When ready to serve, reheat it gently and add cooked chicken or your protein of choice just before serving.

Final Thoughts

This Quick & Easy Homemade Butter Chicken Recipe holds a special spot in my kitchen because it’s proof that you don’t need hours or complicated techniques to enjoy big, comforting flavors. Whether you’re cooking for family, friends, or just yourself, it brings that cozy, satisfying feeling of a home-cooked meal that’s both delicious and surprisingly quick to make. Trust me, once you whip this up, it’ll become your go-to when you want flavor and ease on the same plate. Give it a try—you’ll thank me later!