Is there anything better than mouth-watering Butter Chicken? This Indian dish is the perfect comfort food and so easy to make at home.
Jump to Recipe
A Little Background...
When I was younger, I wasn't a huge fan of Indian food, probably because my tolerance for spice is child-like. As I've gotten older, I started trying more Indian dishes that were easier on my spice-intolerant tongue. Indian Butter Chicken was one of the first recipes I tried, and on the first bite, I fell in love. This dish is also known as murgh makhani and is a traditional Indian curry dish. The chicken is cooked in a combination of tomato sauce, spices, cream, and butter—hence the name. The result is a flavorful marinated chicken that melts on your tongue and is absolutely delicious.
The rich, creamy sauce envelops the tender chicken, creating a comforting experience that feels like a warm hug in a cozy bowl. Paired with fluffy basmati rice or warm naan, this dish becomes an indulgent meal that satisfies all your cravings and leaves you wanting more. It's the perfect introduction to Indian cuisine, showcasing bold flavors while still being approachable for those with a milder palate.
Time to Make Butter Chicken
It's time to dive into this butter chicken recipe. Begin by adding olive oil and half a diced white onion to a large pan. Be sure to cook the onion over medium heat until it's translucent before adding the garlic, fresh ginger, and tomato paste. Allow this to cook for a few minutes, letting the flavors meld together beautifully. Then add the coconut milk and cook over medium-high heat until it begins to bubble. Slowly, add in your vegetable broth and reduce the heat to medium-low. Allow the sauce to simmer and develop a rich depth of flavor.
Now It's Time for the Chicken!
While you can use chicken thighs, I decided to go with chicken breasts for this recipe. Start by dicing two chicken breasts, and add the chicken pieces to a medium bowl. Remember to coat the chicken in lemon juice before adding your spices. Let's start with the star of the spices, garam masala. This spice is a blend of ground spices originating from India, bringing warmth and complexity to the dish. Next, add turmeric, paprika, black pepper, salt, cumin, cayenne pepper, and cinnamon. I know cinnamon probably seems like an odd spice to add into that mixture, but you need a touch of sweetness to offset all those strong spices.
Toss your chicken to coat all the pieces in the spices evenly, ensuring that every bite will be bursting with flavor, then add them to the hot pan. Stir to combine the chicken in the sauce, letting it soak up all those delicious flavors, then cook over medium heat for about 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. Finish it off by adding a touch of cornstarch to thicken it up, which will give the sauce that luscious, creamy texture. Make sure to stir that cornstarch thoroughly to avoid it clumping together, then turn off the heat and let the dish rest for a moment, allowing the flavors to marry beautifully before serving.

What to Serve This Dish With
Of course, you have to serve this butter chicken with fluffy rice. While basmati rice is traditionally served with this recipe, I like to use jasmine rice made with coconut milk for creamier rice. Simply wash one and a half cups of jasmine rice until the water runs clear, then add the rice to a pot with one 15 oz. can of coconut milk. The coconut milk will give the rice a richer flavor and yield extra fluffy rice.
I like to garnish the dish with fresh micro greens or chopped parsley. They add a pop of color to the dish and a bit of freshness. While the dish isn't overly spicy or heavy, there are a lot of flavors melded together. A little bit of herbs goes a long way here!
Finally, serving garlic naan with this recipe is a MUST! My gluten-free garlic naan recipe is about as easy as it gets when it comes to making homemade naan. It's delicious, fluffy, and the perfect side dish for this Butter Chicken!
The combination of the creamy sauce, fragrant rice, and warm naan creates a delightful dining experience that feels both comforting and indulgent. It’s the kind of meal that not only satisfies your hunger but also leaves you feeling content and happy, making it perfect for sharing with family and friends. Whether it’s a cozy weeknight dinner or a special occasion, this Butter Chicken will surely impress everyone at the table!

Easy Butter Chicken
Course: Butter Chicken, RecipesCuisine: IndianDifficulty: Medium6
servings20
minutes40
minutesThis Butter Chicken is the PERFECT comfort food recipe!
Ingredients
2 tablespoons olive oil
½ white onion, diced
3 cloves of garlic, minced
2 tablespoons of ginger, grated
2 tablespoons of tomato paste
1 can of coconut milk
1 cup of vegetable broth
2 chicken breasts, diced
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 tablespoon garam masala
2 teaspoons turmeric
2 teaspoons paprika
1 teaspoon black pepper
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground cumin
½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
¼ teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon cornstarch
Cooked jasmine rice for serving
Chopped parsley for garnishing
Directions
- Add the olive oil and diced onion to a large skillet and cook over medium heat for five minutes until the onion is translucent
- Next, add the garlic, ginger, and tomato paste
- Cook for about five minutes until fragrant, then add the coconut milk
- Cook over medium-high heat, until it begins to bubble and add the vegetable broth
- Add the diced chicken, lemon juice, and seasonings to a bowl
- Stir to combine, then add to the skillet
- Cook over medium heat for 20 minutes until combined
- Add 1 teaspoon cornstarch to thicken
- Serve over cooked jasmine rice, and garnish with parsley
[…] can enjoy this garlic naan as is, it’s also a great side dish to Butter Chicken or curry. My Butter Chicken recipe comes together in less than an hour and has deep, rich flavors. Use the garlic naan to soak […]