Creamy Butter Chicken Recipe

Introduction

Butter Chicken is a rich, comforting Indian classic known for its creamy tomato sauce and tender, spiced chicken. This recipe balances aromatic spices with a smooth, luscious sauce that’s perfect for a cozy meal any night of the week.

Ingredients

• 2 chicken breasts (250g)
• 4-5 roma tomatoes (or canned peeled tomatoes)
• 1 large red onion
• 4-5 cloves of garlic
• 3/4 cup cream (10% fat recommended)

• Spices for curry:
• 1 tbsp garam masala
• 1 tsp turmeric
• 1 tsp cumin
• 1 tsp coriander powder
• 2 tsp kashmiri red chilli powder
• 1 tbsp sugar
• 2 tbsp dried fenugreek leaves

• Chicken marinade:
• 2 tbsp yogurt
• 1 tsp garam masala
• 0.5 tsp turmeric
• 0.5 tsp cumin
• 0.5 tsp coriander powder
• 1 tsp kashmiri red chilli powder

Instructions

1. Step 1: Chop the chicken breasts into bite-sized cubes. In a bowl, combine these with the yogurt and the chicken marinade spices. Mix well and let it marinate for at least one hour for best flavor.
2. Step 2: Preheat your air fryer to 380°F (193°C). Arrange the marinated chicken pieces in the basket and cook for 12 minutes until cooked through and slightly golden.
3. Step 3: Roughly chop the red onion and tomatoes. Mince the garlic cloves.
4. Step 4: Heat 2 tablespoons of oil in a pan over medium heat. Add minced garlic and chopped onions, cooking for a few minutes until softened.
5. Step 5: Add the chopped tomatoes to the pan, pour in a little water, and cover. Let it cook for 4-5 minutes or until the tomatoes turn soft.
6. Step 6: Stir in the curry spices (garam masala, turmeric, cumin, coriander powder, kashmiri red chilli powder). Blend the mixture until smooth using an immersion blender or food processor.
7. Step 7: Return the blended sauce to the pan, add sugar, dried fenugreek leaves, and cream. Stir gently and let the sauce simmer until it thickens slightly.
8. Step 8: Add the cooked chicken pieces into the sauce, mix well to coat, and heat through for a couple of minutes.
9. Step 9: Serve hot with naan, rice, or your favorite side. Enjoy your homemade butter chicken!

Tips & Variations

• For extra smoky flavor, grill the chicken pieces before adding to the sauce instead of air frying.
• Use canned peeled tomatoes if fresh roma tomatoes aren’t available — they work perfectly in this dish.
• If you prefer a milder curry, reduce the kashmiri red chilli powder by half.
• Substitute cream with coconut milk for a dairy-free version with a subtle coconut flavor.

Storage

Store any leftover butter chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stove over low heat or in the microwave, stirring occasionally to maintain the sauce’s creamy texture. Avoid boiling to prevent curdling.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make butter chicken without an air fryer?

Yes! You can cook the marinated chicken in a hot skillet or oven. Simply sauté the chicken pieces on medium heat until cooked through or bake at 400°F (200°C) for about 15-20 minutes, turning halfway.

What can I serve with butter chicken?

Butter chicken pairs wonderfully with basmati rice, naan bread, roti, or even steamed vegetables. Fresh cilantro on top adds a lovely fresh touch.

Creamy Butter Chicken Recipe

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★★★★★

4.8 from 80 reviews

• Author: Hugo
• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 2 servings 1x

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Description

A rich and flavorful Butter Chicken recipe featuring tender marinated chicken breast pieces air fried to perfection and simmered in a creamy tomato-based curry sauce infused with aromatic Indian spices, perfect for a comforting and quick weeknight meal.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Chicken Marinade

• 2 chicken breasts (250g), cut into bite-sized cubes
• 2 tbsp yogurt
• 1 tsp garam masala
• 0.5 tsp turmeric powder
• 0.5 tsp cumin powder
• 0.5 tsp coriander powder
• 1 tsp Kashmiri red chilli powder

Curry Base

• 4–5 roma tomatoes (fresh or canned peeled)
• 1 large red onion, roughly chopped
• 4–5 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tbsp oil
• 1 tbsp garam masala
• 1 tsp turmeric powder
• 1 tsp cumin powder
• 1 tsp coriander powder
• 2 tsp Kashmiri red chilli powder
• 1 tbsp sugar
• 2 tbsp dried fenugreek leaves (kasuri methi)
• 3/4 cup cream (10% fat cream recommended)

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Instructions

1. Prepare the chicken marinade: In a bowl, combine yogurt, garam masala, turmeric, cumin, coriander powder, and Kashmiri red chilli powder. Add the bite-sized chicken cubes and mix well to coat evenly. Marinate the chicken for about 1 hour to allow the flavors to infuse.
2. Air fry the chicken: Preheat your air fryer to 380°F (193°C). Place the marinated chicken pieces in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Cook for 12 minutes until the chicken is cooked through and slightly charred on the edges. Remove and set aside.
3. Prepare the curry base: Roughly chop the red onion and tomatoes. Heat 2 tablespoons of oil in a pan over medium heat. Add minced garlic and chopped onions, sautéing for a few minutes until fragrant and translucent.
4. Cook the tomatoes: Add the chopped tomatoes to the pan. Cook them until they soften by adding a little water and covering the pan for 4-5 minutes. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
5. Blend the curry base: Once the tomatoes are soft, add the garam masala, turmeric, cumin, coriander powder, and Kashmiri red chilli powder to the mixture. Allow them to cook for a minute to bloom the spices, then transfer the mixture to a blender and blend until smooth.
6. Finish the curry sauce: Return the blended curry sauce to the pan. Stir in sugar, dried fenugreek leaves, and cream. Mix well and simmer gently for a few minutes until the flavors meld and the sauce thickens slightly.
7. Combine chicken with curry: Add the air-fried chicken pieces to the pan with the curry sauce. Stir to coat the chicken evenly and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes until everything is heated through.
8. Serve: Your delicious butter chicken is now ready to enjoy. Serve it hot with steamed rice, naan, or your preferred Indian bread.

Notes

• Marinating the chicken for at least one hour enhances flavor but can be done overnight for deeper taste.
• If you don’t have an air fryer, you can grill or pan-fry the chicken until cooked.
• Adjust spice quantities according to your heat preference.
• Dried fenugreek leaves add a distinctive aroma; if unavailable, you may omit but the flavor will be less authentic.
• Use fresh cream for best texture; lighter cream options may alter richness.
• For a gluten-free option, ensure all spice powders are uncontaminated and pure.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Category: Main Course
• Method: Air Frying
• Cuisine: Indian

Keywords: Butter Chicken, Chicken Curry, Indian Recipe, Air Fryer Chicken, Creamy Chicken Curry, Garam Masala Chicken