Marinade
Just 30 minutes will make the chicken tender. Longer marinating time in the fridge will add more flavour.
Indian Recipe
Butter Chicken
This butter chicken recipe marinates chicken in yoghurt, ginger, garlic and spices. The meat is fried and then finished in a velvety tomato butter sauce with cream.
Total time
1 hr 30 min
Calories
650 kcal
Servings
4 servings
Difficulty
Medium
Why this recipe works
Butter chicken with creamy tomato butter sauce
Butter chicken thrives on the balance of tomato, butter, cream and warm spices. The chicken should marinate before cooking to keep it juicy. Kasuri methi, dried fenugreek leaves, gives the sauce its typical aroma.
Quick Dinners
Lunch
One-Pot Recipes
Dinner
Recipe
Butter Chicken
Butter chicken is cooked with marinated chicken, tomatoes, butter, cream, garam masala and kasuri methi. The sauce is supposed to be mild, creamy and spicy.
Ingredients
4 servings
Method
-
1
Marinating chicken
Mix chicken with yoghurt, garlic, ginger, garam masala, turmeric, salt and chilli and leave to marinate for at least 30 minutes.
-
2
Roast meat
Brown the chicken pieces in a little butter or oil until they turn colour. Remove and set aside.
-
3
Cooking sauce
Simmer the tomatoes with butter, spices and a little salt for 12 to 15 minutes until the sauce tastes more rounded.
-
4
Creamy finish
Add the chicken back to the sauce and cook. Stir in the cream and kasuri methi.
-
5
Serve
Sprinkle with coriander and serve with rice or naan. Dilute sauce with a little water if necessary.
Kitchen know-how
Tips for Butter Chicken
Balance the sauce
If the tomato tastes too sour, butter, cream and a small pinch of sugar will help.
Kasuri Methi
Dried fenugreek leaves give butter chicken the typical restaurant scent.
Variations
How to adapt this recipe
Reduce the chilli pepper and top off the sauce with a little more cream. Garam masala remains important.
Chicken breast works, but should cook only briefly to prevent it from drying out.
Nutrition per serving
650kcal
22.0 gCarbohydrates
42.0 gProtein
42.0 gFat
Values are estimates and may vary depending on the ingredients, brands, portion size and preparation method used.
Frequently asked questions
FAQ about Butter Chicken
Butter chicken is usually milder, creamier and more strongly shaped by tomatoes, butter and cream. Chicken tikka masala often tastes spicier and more aromatic.
Yes, the sauce often tastes even rounder when warmed up. Warm the chicken gently so that it remains juicy.
Kasuri methi are dried fenugreek leaves. They give butter chicken a typical Indian scent.
Basmati rice, naan, roti or a fresh cucumber-yoghurt salad go very well.
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