Butter chicken recipe is a classic Indian dish loved worldwide for its creamy, flavorful, and comforting taste. Tender pieces of chicken are cooked in a rich tomato and butter sauce, creating a velvety curry that melts in your mouth. This guide will show you how to make authentic butter chicken at home, step by step, with tips, variations, and serving suggestions to achieve restaurant-quality results.
Cooking this dish allows you to enjoy one of India’s most popular curries in your own kitchen, whether for family, friends, or a special meal. From marinating the chicken to preparing the smooth makhani gravy, every step ensures a delicious, aromatic experience.
History & Origin
Butter chicken originated in Delhi, India, during the 1950s at the iconic Moti Mahal restaurant. Chefs combined leftover tandoori chicken with a creamy tomato, butter, and cream sauce to make the meat tender and flavorful. This innovation gave rise to one of India’s most famous dishes.
Over the decades, butter chicken has become a global favorite. Its balance of creamy texture, mild spices, and tender chicken makes it approachable for all tastes. The dish can be adapted to suit different spice levels or creaminess, while still retaining the signature flavours of Indian butter chicken.
Ingredients For Butter Chicken Recipe
For the Marinade
- 500g boneless chicken (thighs preferred for juiciness)
- ½ cup yogurt
- 1 tbsp ginger paste
- 1 tbsp garlic paste
- 1 tsp chili powder
- ½ tsp turmeric powder
- 1 tsp garam masala
- 1 tsp lemon juice
Marinating the chicken infuses flavor and tenderizes it, ensuring juicy, soft pieces for the curry.
For the Makhani Sauce
- 3–4 ripe tomatoes or 1 cup tomato puree
- 3 tbsp butter
- ½ cup cream
- 1 onion, finely chopped
- 1 tsp cumin powder
- 1 tsp coriander powder
- ½ tsp paprika
- 1 tsp kasuri methi (dried fenugreek leaves)
- Salt to taste
Optional: Cashew paste or extra cream for a richer texture.
Step-by-Step Butter Chicken Recipe
Creating an authentic butter chicken recipe at home is easier than it seems when you follow a structured approach. From marinating the chicken to preparing the creamy makhani gravy, each step ensures tender, flavorful chicken and a rich, aromatic curry. Here’s how you can achieve a restaurant-quality Indian butter chicken in your own kitchen.
Step 1: Marinating the Chicken
Combine yogurt, ginger paste, garlic paste, chilli powder, turmeric, garam masala, and lemon juice in a bowl. Coat the chicken thoroughly and marinate for at least 1–2 hours, or overnight for a deeper flavour and tender meat. Marination not only tenderises the chicken but also infuses the spices, giving the final dish a rich taste.
Step 2: Cooking the Chicken
Grill, bake, or pan-roast the marinated chicken until slightly charred on the outside. Keep it slightly undercooked as it will finish cooking in the sauce, ensuring soft, juicy pieces in the final creamy curry. The slight char adds a smoky flavour that complements the buttery sauce beautifully.
Step 3: Preparing the Sauce
Melt butter in a pan and sauté onions until golden. Add garlic and ginger paste, followed by ground spices. Mix in tomato puree and simmer until the oil separates. Blend the sauce for a smooth texture, and sprinkle in kasuri methi to enhance the authentic aroma of Indian butter chicken.
Step 4: Final Assembly
Add the partially cooked chicken to the sauce and simmer for 10–15 minutes. Stir in cream and butter to enrich the curry, creating a smooth and velvety makhani gravy. Garnish with fresh coriander leaves and a swirl of cream to serve an irresistible butter chicken recipe that’s sure to impress.
Tips for the Best Butter Chicken
To make your Indian butter chicken truly stand out, attention to detail is key. Start with using ripe, sweet tomatoes or a high-quality tomato puree. The natural sweetness and freshness of the tomatoes form the base of a smooth and flavorful makhani gravy, giving your curry a rich, velvety texture without needing too much cream.
Cooking the chicken gently is equally important. Whether you grill, bake, or pan-roast, ensure the chicken is tender and slightly undercooked before adding it to the sauce. This prevents dryness and allows the chicken to absorb the flavours of the creamy butter chicken recipe while simmering in the sauce.
Always add cream and butter toward the end of cooking. This preserves the smooth, luxurious texture of the curry and ensures it doesn’t become too oily or heavy. For spice, adjust chilli powder, paprika, or garam masala according to your taste. Mild for family meals, or a little extra heat if you enjoy a spicier creamy curry.
For an even richer sauce, you can add a small amount of cashew paste or extra cream. Just remember to maintain balance so the sauce stays smooth and velvety, creating that iconic taste that makes Indian butter chicken so irresistible.
Serving Suggestions
- Serve butter chicken hot with soft naan or warm roti to soak up the rich makhani gravy.
- Pair with steamed basmati rice for a light, aromatic base that balances the creamy, buttery flavors.
- Add a side of lightly spiced vegetables or cucumber-yogurt raita to provide a refreshing contrast to the richness of the creamy curry.
- Garnish with fresh coriander leaves and a gentle drizzle of cream to enhance both flavor and presentation.
- Ideal for family dinners or special occasions, ensuring a satisfying meal that highlights the signature taste of Indian butter chicken.
Nutrition & Healthy Variations
Butter chicken is rich in protein and flavour, but you can make it lighter by using low-fat cream or Greek yogurt. Adding vegetables like peas, bell peppers, or spinach provides nutrition and colour without compromising taste. Using boneless chicken thighs or breasts maintains high protein while reducing extra fat. Even with these swaps, the dish retains its creamy texture and signature flavour that make butter chicken recipe so popular.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Making an authentic Indian butter chicken is simple, but a few common mistakes can affect the final taste and texture. Here’s what to watch out for:
- Overcooking the chicken: One of the most common errors is cooking the chicken too long before adding it to the sauce. Overcooked chicken becomes dry and loses its tenderness. To prevent this, cook the chicken just enough to seal the juices, then allow it to finish cooking gently in the rich, creamy makhani gravy. This keeps each piece soft, juicy, and full of flavour.
- Adding cream too early: Cream and butter should be added at the end of cooking to maintain the luxurious, velvety texture of the sauce. Adding cream too soon can cause it to separate or reduce the richness of the curry, resulting in a thinner, less indulgent creamy curry.
- Skipping the marinade: Marination is essential for tender, flavorful chicken. Skipping this step reduces the depth of flavour and prevents the spices from fully infusing the meat. Proper marination ensures every bite is aromatic and juicy, which is the hallmark of a great butter chicken recipe.
- Not reducing the sauce properly: Allowing the tomato-based sauce to simmer and thicken is crucial for achieving that smooth, velvety consistency. If the sauce is not reduced enough, the curry can end up watery and lack the rich texture that defines authentic Indian butter chicken.
- Over-spicing or under-spicing: Balancing the spices is key. Too much chilli can overpower the creamy sauce, while too little can make it bland. Measure spices carefully and adjust to taste while keeping the traditional buttery flavour intact.
Wrapping Up
Cooking an authentic butter chicken recipe at home is simple when you follow the right steps. From marinating the chicken to creating the rich, creamy sauce, you can enjoy a restaurant-quality curry that’s comforting, flavorful, and aromatic. Serve it with naan, roti, or rice for a satisfying meal that’s sure to impress. With the tips, variations, and techniques shared here, you can recreate one of India’s most beloved dishes in your kitchen and enjoy every bite.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. What is the difference between butter chicken and chicken tikka masala?
Butter chicken is creamier and milder with a rich makhani gravy, while chicken tikka masala is spicier and tangier. Butter chicken focuses on buttery, smooth flavors.
Q2. Can I make butter chicken without cream?
Yes, you can use Greek yogurt, cashew paste, or coconut cream. These alternatives keep the creamy curry smooth while making it lighter.
Q3. How long should I marinate the chicken?
Marinate for at least 1–2 hours, or overnight for deeper flavor. Proper marination ensures tender, juicy chicken in your butter chicken recipe.
Q4. Can I make butter chicken in advance?
Yes, it can be made a few hours ahead and reheated gently. Reheating slowly preserves the richness of the makhani gravy.
Q5. What should I serve with butter chicken?
Serve with soft naan, roti, or steamed basmati rice. You can also add raita or lightly spiced vegetables to balance the creamy curry.
