Easy Butter Chicken Simple – Creamy Tomato Curry
This Quick & Easy Butter Chicken is a creamy, flavorful Indian curry made in under 30 minutes. Tender chicken is simmered in a spiced tomato-butter sauce and finished with cream for a rich, comforting meal.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken:
- 1 lb boneless chicken thighs, cubed
- ½ tsp turmeric
- ½ tsp chili powder
- 1 tsp lemon juice
- Salt to taste
Sauce:
- 2 tbsp butter + 1 tbsp oil
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 1 tsp garlic paste
- 1 tsp ginger paste
- 1½ cups tomato purée
- 1 tsp garam masala
- ½ tsp cumin
- ½ tsp coriander
- ½ tsp chili powder
- Salt to taste
- ½ cup heavy cream
- 1 tbsp butter (for finishing)
- 1 tsp kasuri methi (optional)
- Fresh cilantro for garnish
Instructions
- Toss chicken with lemon juice, turmeric, chili powder, and salt.
- Sear chicken until browned. Set aside.
- In the same pan, melt butter and cook onions until golden.
- Add garlic and ginger paste, sauté 1–2 minutes.
- Stir in tomato purée and spices. Simmer 5–7 minutes.
- (Optional) Blend sauce until smooth.
- Return chicken to the pan. Add cream. Simmer until thickened.
- Finish with butter, kasuri methi, and cilantro. Serve hot.
Notes
- Adjust spice to taste.
- Substitute cream with coconut cream for dairy-free version.
- Store leftovers in fridge up to 3 days.