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Quick And Easy Butter Chicken simmered in a creamy tomato sauce with spices
Callie Brooks

Quick And Easy Butter Chicken

Quick And Easy Butter Chicken is a creamy, flavorful dish made with pantry staples in under 40 minutes. It’s rich, family-friendly, and perfect for anything from a weeknight dinner to a dinner party. Serve it with rice and vegetables or naan for a comforting and satisfying meal.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: Indian-inspired
Calories: 480

Ingredients
  

  • 1 tbsp olive oil (or ghee)
  • 1.5 lbs boneless chicken breast, cut into cubes
  • 1 large onion, finely chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tsp fresh ginger or paste
  • 1 tsp garam masala
  • 0.5 tsp turmeric powder
  • 0.5 tsp chili powder
  • 0.25 tsp cayenne pepper (optional)
  • 15 oz crushed tomatoes
  • 0.5 cup chicken broth
  • 0.5 cup heavy cream (or coconut cream)
  • 2 tbsp unsalted butter
  • to taste salt
  • as needed fresh cilantro, chopped (garnish)
  • as needed rice or naan, to serve

Equipment

  • large skillet
  • wooden spoon
  • cutting board
  • sharp knife
  • measuring spoons

Method
 

  1. Heat olive oil in a skillet and brown the chicken cubes until lightly golden. Set aside.
  2. Cook the chopped onion until soft and translucent, then stir in garlic and ginger until fragrant.
  3. Add garam masala, turmeric, chili powder, and cayenne. Cook for 1 minute to release the aroma.
  4. Pour in crushed tomatoes and chicken broth. Return chicken to the pan and bring to a simmer.
  5. Reduce heat and stir in heavy cream and butter. Mix until sauce is smooth. Season with salt.
  6. Garnish with fresh cilantro and serve with rice or naan.

Nutrition

Calories: 480kcalCarbohydrates: 12gProtein: 38gFat: 32gSaturated Fat: 16gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2.5gMonounsaturated Fat: 10gTrans Fat: 0.4gCholesterol: 160mgSodium: 580mgPotassium: 850mgFiber: 2gSugar: 5gVitamin A: 880IUVitamin C: 10mgCalcium: 80mgIron: 1.8mg

Notes

Use chicken thighs for juicier results. Toast the spices before adding liquids to enhance flavor. Add cream and butter only at the end to prevent curdling. Let rest before serving to allow flavors to meld. Perfect for meal prep and even better the next day.

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