Quick Butter Chicken

Spice Up Your Tastebuds

Butter chicken always felt like one of those dishes that would take all day to make but this Quick Butter Chicken version comes together surprisingly fast and still tastes rich, cozy, and full of flavor. I used chicken breasts, pantry spices, and doubled the creamy tomato sauce because I wanted to have plenty to spoon over rice and even freeze for another meal later on.

My dad has always been a good cook, but adventurous eater? Absolutely not.

This is a man who has never eaten an egg in its natural form. Dad prefers steak and pizza and loves an old school American ground beef taco situation.

So when he suddenly became obsessed with Indian food a few years ago, I was honestly stunned. The man loves spice though, and now going out for Indian food has become one of our favorite birthday and Father’s Day traditions.

He orders chicken vindaloo every single time while I go straight for butter chicken. After a few disappointing takeout orders, I decided it was finally time to try making butter chicken at home.

I impressed even myself with this one. It’s rich, creamy, deeply flavorful, and packed with warm spices without setting your mouth on fire.

I break down the spices throughout this post because I know some people get intimidated by recipes like this. It is actually much easier than it seems.

Weirdly enough, it reminds me a lot of chicken paprikash from my childhood, just with a different flavor profile.

This sauce absolutely demands naan or flatbread for dipping and scooping. The chicken gets incredibly tender and flavorful, especially if you marinate it overnight.

I only had about 30 minutes though, and it still came out fantastic. I even sent my dad a picture of the finished dish and got his official seal of approval.

Prepare For The Spices

There are a lot of spices in this dish that you may or may not have on hand. I broke down the spices in this dish for those that may not be familiar.

You can buy a Garam Masala at most any big box grocery store. There are also many options available online. You can also google a substitute and mix one up yourself.

Garam Masala

Garam masala is one of the main flavor builders in butter chicken and gives the sauce that warm, cozy restaurant style taste. It is usually a blend of spices like cinnamon, cloves, cumin, cardamom, and black pepper.

Every brand will taste a little different. Some blends can be stronger or sweeter than others. It is always a good idea to start lighter and adjust to taste.

Cumin

Cumin adds an earthy, smoky warmth that helps give butter chicken its deep savory flavor. It has a slightly nutty taste and is one of the spices that makes the dish smell incredible while it cooks.

A little goes a long way, but it balances beautifully with the creamy sauce.

Paprika

Paprika adds color and a mild sweet pepper flavor to the dish without making it overly spicy. Depending on the brand, it can taste slightly sweet or smoky.

This spice helps give butter chicken that rich orange color everyone loves.

Turmeric

Turmeric gives the sauce its beautiful golden tone and adds a subtle earthy flavor. It is not overpowering in this recipe, but it helps round out the spice blend and adds depth to the sauce.

Be careful while cooking with it because turmeric can stain countertops, utensils, and even clothing.

Chili Powder

Chili powder adds warmth and a gentle heat without making the dish painfully spicy. Different brands vary in heat level, so you can always start with less and add more later if needed.

In this recipe, it helps balance the richness of the butter and cream.

Ginger

Ginger adds brightness and a little peppery warmth that keeps the sauce from tasting too heavy. Fresh ginger has a sharper flavor while dried ginger tends to be slightly sweeter and more mellow.

Either works beautifully in this recipe depending on what you have on hand.

Garlic

Garlic adds a savory backbone to the entire dish and pairs perfectly with the creamy tomato sauce. Fresh garlic will give a stronger and more aromatic flavor, while garlic powder blends smoothly into the sauce and is great for easy weeknight cooking.

Both work well here.

Cinnamon

Some garam masala blends already contain cinnamon, but adding a tiny pinch separately can make the sauce taste extra warm and cozy. It does not make the dish taste sweet like dessert, it simply enhances the richness of the other spices.

A very small amount is all you need.

Coriander

Coriander has a light citrusy flavor that helps brighten up heavier spices like cumin and garam masala. It adds a subtle freshness to the sauce that keeps everything balanced.

If you are sensitive to floral flavors, start with a smaller amount.

Tomato Paste

Tomato paste helps deepen the tomato flavor and gives the sauce richness and body. Cooking it briefly with the spices removes any raw canned taste and helps develop a sweeter, more concentrated flavor.

It is a small ingredient that makes a big difference in the final sauce.

“Did Tipsy Say Yogurt?”

The yogurt in the marinade helps tenderize the chicken while also adding flavor and moisture. The natural acidity gently breaks down the chicken and it stays juicy and soft instead of drying out, especially when using chicken breasts.

It also helps all of the spices cling to the meat so every bite is packed with flavor. This is why it is ideal to make this and marinate overnight.

But this quick version DOES work! Try it both ways and you will see!

If You Can Wait, Wait

For the best flavor and most tender chicken, letting the chicken marinate overnight is ideal. It gives the yogurt and spices time to fully penetrate the meat.

The longer marinade time creates deeper flavor and helps keep the chicken incredibly juicy and tender while it cooks. That being said, this recipe still works surprisingly well as a last minute meal.

Even a quick 20 to 30 minute marinade while you prep the sauce is enough to add flavor. It will also help tenderize the chicken.

This is what makes it perfect for a weeknight dinner when time is limited.

Thin Or Thick, Make It Your Way

I personally prefer my butter chicken sauce a little thinner. This is different than what is traditionally served in restaurants.

That is why I add some water to the sauce while it simmers. If you prefer a looser sauce for spooning over rice or dipping naan into, you can absolutely thin it out with additional water, extra cream, or even a splash of broth.

If using broth, just be mindful of the salt level. Some broths can be very salty and the flavors in this sauce become more concentrated as it cooks.

Rice As the Side

Butter chicken is traditionally served with basmati rice. This is a long grain rice known for its fluffy texture and lightly fragrant flavor that really pairs beautifully with rich sauces like this.

Jasmine rice also works wonderfully. I usually just make plain white rice because it is easy and perfect for soaking up all of the extra sauce.

Of course naan or flatbread on the side is always highly recommended for scooping every last bit out of the bowl.

In Case You Need A Rice Cooking Lesson

For stovetop rice, I usually use a simple ratio of 1 cup rice to 2 cups water. Add the rice, water, a little butter, and a pinch of salt to a pot and bring it to a boil.

Once boiling, cover the pot, reduce the heat to low, and let it cook without lifting the lid for about 15 to 18 minutes. Remove from the heat and let it sit covered for another 5 to 10 minutes before fluffing with a fork.

The Instant Pot is honestly my favorite way to make rice because it comes out consistent every single time. I usually use 1 cup rice to 1 cup water in the Instant Pot along with a little butter and salt.

Cook on high pressure for 4 minutes, let it naturally release for 10 minutes, then fluff with a fork. It is easy, hands off, and perfect when you are already juggling the rest of dinner.

In fact the only way I know how to make my Spanish Rice is in the Instant Pot!

Freeze It

This butter chicken freezes beautifully. It is a perfect for meal prep or future busy nights when you do not feel like cooking. I actually love doubling the sauce specifically so I can freeze some for another meal later on.

How To Freeze

Let the butter chicken cool completely before storing it in freezer safe containers. When reheating just add a splash of water or cream if the sauce thickens too much.

It is also a wonderful meal to bring to someone going through a hard time, welcoming a new baby, recovering from surgery, or just needing a comforting homemade dinner because it reheats incredibly well and feels extra cozy and special.