Oh my goodness, you know those evenings when you look at the clock and think, where did the day go?! Trying to get something flavorful on the table feels like a marathon, right? Forget ordering in, because I cracked the code for genuinely amazing Indian food on a tight schedule. I’m talking about the **Quick & Easy Homemade Butter Chicken (dinner recipes Recipe, 2025 Edition)**. This isn’t some watered-down version; it has all the creamy, spiced perfection you crave, but we nail the whole process in under an hour total. I’ve refined my method over coffee breaks to make sure even on a hectic Tuesday, you can pull off something restaurant-worthy. If you loved my take on the Texas Roadhouse version, you’ll adore how fast this classic comes together. Trust me, this is going to save your weeknights this year.
Why This Quick & Easy Homemade Butter Chicken is Your New Weeknight Hero
Honestly, what I love most is beating the takeout trap without spending all evening wrestling with spices. This **Quick & Easy Homemade Butter Chicken (dinner recipes Recipe, 2025 Edition)** is built for speed, hitting the table in about 45 minutes total! That includes the 15 minutes the chicken spends marinating, mind you.
You don’t need a million pots, which is a huge win for me because I hate dishes. Cleanup is genuinely simple, which keeps me coming back to this recipe during the week. It focuses purely on maximum flavor payoff for minimum effort.
Here’s the quick rundown on why this is a lifesaver:
- Speedy Cook Time: We’re looking at only 30 minutes of actual cooking time once the marinating is done.
- Flavor Punch: It packs that classic, rich, tomato-cream taste without simmering for hours.
- Less Mess: Everything happens in essentially one large skillet. You can check out my tips for other busy weeknight dinner recipes, but this one takes the cake for ease.
Essential Equipment for Your Quick & Easy Homemade Butter Chicken (dinner recipes Recipe, 2025 Edition)
You truly don’t need a fancy arsenal for this fast recipe. Seriously, ditch the idea that Indian cooking requires specialty pots. For this **Quick & Easy Homemade Butter Chicken (dinner recipes Recipe, 2025 Edition)**, we’re keeping it streamlined.
You just need two main things. First, grab your largest mixing bowls—one for the yogurt marinade and maybe one handy for mise en place.
Second, the star is the cooking vessel. A large skillet or, even better, a Dutch oven is perfect. If you use the Dutch oven, you get this wonderful, even heat that makes sure your onions soften beautifully and your chicken sears without burning. It holds the heat so well while we build that sauce. Speaking of low-mess cooking, check out my guide to one-pan recipes; this Butter Chicken is definitely in that family!
Gathering Ingredients for Quick & Easy Homemade Butter Chicken
Okay, this is where the magic starts! To make this amazing **Quick & Easy Homemade Butter Chicken (dinner recipes Recipe, 2025 Edition)**, we’re breaking the list into two simple parts: the stuff that makes the chicken taste incredible, and the stuff that makes the sauce rich. Don’t let the list scare you; most of these are spices you probably already have tucked away!
Prepping ahead here is key, so get your chicken cut up and your spices measured before you start cooking. Knowing exactly what you need makes the entire recipe feel like a breeze, and that’s how we keep this a true weeknight win!
For the Chicken Marinade
This part needs the chicken to soak for at least 15 minutes before we start cooking, so get this done first!
- 1.5 lbs Boneless, skinless chicken (breasts or thighs work great), cut into 1-inch pieces
- 1/2 cup Plain yogurt (this keeps it tender!)
- 1 tbsp Lemon juice
- 1 tsp Ginger paste
- 1 tsp Garlic paste
- 1 tsp Garam masala
- 1/2 tsp Turmeric powder
- 1/2 tsp Salt
For the Sauce
This is the creamy, deeply flavored base. Remember, you need to drain those tomatoes—we only want the thick part!
- 2 tbsp Butter or ghee (ghee adds a lovely nuttiness, by the way)
- 1 medium Onion, finely chopped
- 1 tsp Ginger paste
- 1 tsp Garlic paste
- 1 tsp Garam masala
- 1 tsp Cumin powder
- 1/2 tsp Chili powder (this is where you decide how much heat you want!)
- 1 14.5 oz can Crushed tomatoes, Drained
- 1/2 cup Heavy cream
- 1 tsp Sugar (Totally optional, but great if your tomatoes are sharp)
- 1/4 cup Water or chicken broth (we use this to thin it out if needed)
- 1/4 cup Fresh cilantro, chopped (just for that final pretty sprinkle)
Step-by-Step Instructions for Quick & Easy Homemade Butter Chicken
Alright, let’s get cooking! Since we are whipping up the **Quick & Easy Homemade Butter Chicken (dinner recipes Recipe, 2025 Edition)**, timing is everything. Get that chicken tossed in the marinade first. You need to let it hang out for at least 15 minutes while you set up your sauce station. Seriously, that short soak makes a huge difference in flavor distribution!
Next up, we need to sear that chicken properly. Heat 1 tablespoon of butter in your big skillet over medium-high heat. I know it’s tempting to throw all the chicken in at once, but please, don’t overcrowd the pan! If you pile it high, the chicken steams instead of searing, and we lose that slightly browned edge we want. Work in batches if you have to, cooking each piece for about 5 to 7 minutes per side until it’s cooked through. Take it out and set it aside.
Now for the sauce base! Drop the heat to medium and add that last tablespoon of butter to the same skillet. Toss in your finely chopped onion and cook until they get soft, which usually takes about 5 minutes. We need them mellow before we move on.
Toss in the ginger and garlic pastes and stir for just one minute—you want that amazing aroma, but don’t burn the garlic! Immediately dump in your spices: garam masala, cumin, and chili powder. Stir constantly for 30 seconds while they toast up. This little step is a powerhouse for flavor in any easy dinner recipes.
Pour in those drained crushed tomatoes and let it bubble gently. If the sauce looks too tight, splash in a little water or broth until it loosens up. Finally, stir in the heavy cream and the optional sugar. Let it simmer gently for 5 minutes—remember, no hard boiling once the cream is in!
Return your gorgeous, seared chicken to the creamy sauce. Stir it all around to coat every piece, let it heat through for just a couple of minutes, and you are done! Garnish liberally with cilantro, and get ready to eat!
Expert Tips for Perfect Quick & Easy Homemade Butter Chicken (dinner recipes Recipe, 2025 Edition)
Even though this is a quick recipe, we still want that restaurant-quality texture! Remember that little note I shared earlier about the sauce? If you are someone who hates finding tiny chunks of onion or tomato in your otherwise velvety sauce, you need to try blending it.
Right after those spices toast up and before you add the cream, if the sauce looks right to you, you can carefully transfer it to a blender or use an immersion blender right in the pot. Smooth perfection! This makes your **Quick & Easy Homemade Butter Chicken (dinner recipes Recipe, 2025 Edition)** feel super luxurious, and it only adds about one minute to your total time.
Also, a little secret for next time: if you have the time (way more than the 15 minutes required here), use chicken thighs instead of breasts. Thighs have a little more fat, which keeps them incredibly juicy, even when you’re rushing the cooking process. It’s a guaranteed tender bite every single time. You can find more ideas on what makes perfect dinner recipes over here!
Serving Suggestions for Your Quick & Easy Homemade Butter Chicken
Now that you’ve created this magic in a pan, we have to serve it right! Obviously, you need a stack of warm naan bread for scooping up every last bit of that glorious sauce. Basmati rice is always my go-to base, letting the rich flavor of the chicken really shine through.
But if you want a little something fresh to cut through the richness, you absolutely must make a quick cucumber raita. It’s just yogurt mixed with grated cucumber, a tiny pinch of salt, and maybe some fresh mint if you have it! It’s cooling and bright, the perfect counterpoint. Seriously, go check out these light and fresh ideas if you need inspiration for side salads!
Storage and Reheating for Leftover Quick & Easy Homemade Butter Chicken
The best part about making a flavourful dish like this **Quick & Easy Homemade Butter Chicken (dinner recipes Recipe, 2025 Edition)** is knowing you have built-in lunch for tomorrow! Once it’s completely cooled down, you need to tuck that leftover chicken away in a really good airtight container. Make sure you keep it sealed up tight in the fridge; it’s good for about three to four days, though I doubt it’ll last that long!
When you reheat it, please be gentle. The heavy cream does not love a hard boil! I always warm mine slowly on the stovetop over low heat, stirring occasionally. If it seems a bit thick when reheating, just splash in a tiny spoonful of water or broth to get that sauce silky smooth again. These simple steps ensure your leftovers taste just as amazing as when you first made one of these fantastic weeknight dinners.
Frequently Asked Questions About This Quick & Easy Homemade Butter Chicken (dinner recipes Recipe, 2025 Edition)
I know when you’re scanning a new recipe, you always have a few niggling questions floating around! Especially when you are trying to nail down speedy **dinner recipes**, you want to know if you can tweak things without ruining the outcome. I’ve gathered up the things I get asked most often about this **Quick & Easy Homemade Butter Chicken (dinner recipes Recipe, 2025 Edition)**.
Because speed is the goal, a little prep goes a long way. Check out my huge guide on easy dinner recipes guide if you want tons more tips just like these!
Can I make the marinade ahead of time for this Quick & Easy Homemade Butter Chicken?
Oh yes, absolutely! The recipe calls for a minimum of 15 minutes, which is perfect if you are literally just chopping veggies while it marinates. But if you want to go even faster during dinner service, go ahead and marinate the chicken overnight! In fact, the longer it sits in that yogurt mixture, the more tender your chicken will be. Just make sure it’s sealed up tight in the fridge. You might even find that overnight marinade gives the *ultimate* flavor to your **Quick & Easy Homemade Butter Chicken**.
What is the best substitute for heavy cream in this dinner recipes Recipe?
That’s a great sustainability question! If you’re avoiding standard heavy cream, you have a couple of really solid options. Full-fat coconut milk works surprisingly well; it gives you that creamy texture, though it adds a tiny hint of coconut flavor—which I actually love! If you want zero flavor change, you need good quality, full-fat Greek yogurt. Just make sure you temper it! Take a big scoop of the warm sauce, stir it into your yogurt separately in a bowl first, and *then* pour the warmed-up yogurt mix back into the main sauce. This stops the yogurt from curdling instantly!
Nutritional Snapshot for Quick & Easy Homemade Butter Chicken
You know I’m all about flavor first, but I know some of you keep track of macros! Because this is a homemade version, the exact numbers depend on your cuts of chicken and the fat content of your cream, but I wanted to give you a ballpark estimate per serving (based on 4 people).
Generally, this **Quick & Easy Homemade Butter Chicken (dinner recipes Recipe, 2025 Edition)** runs about:
- Calories: 480-550
- Protein: 40g
- Fat: 32g
- Carbs: 12g
Keep in mind, these figures are just helpful estimates since we aren’t running this through a super lab! If you want to keep it lighter, you can always use half-and-half instead of heavy cream, though you’ll sacrifice some of that famous richness. See more tips on calorie-smart recipes options here!
Quick & Easy Homemade Butter Chicken
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- In a bowl, combine the chicken pieces with all the marinade ingredients. Mix well to coat. Let the chicken marinate for at least 15 minutes while you prepare the sauce.
- Heat 1 tablespoon of butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the marinated chicken in a single layer (work in batches if necessary) and cook until browned and cooked through, about 5 to 7 minutes per side. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- Reduce the heat to medium. Add the remaining 1 tablespoon of butter to the same skillet. Add the chopped onion and cook until soft, about 5 minutes.
- Stir in the ginger paste and garlic paste. Cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Add the garam masala, cumin powder, and chili powder. Cook for 30 seconds, stirring constantly.
- Pour in the crushed tomatoes. Bring the sauce to a simmer. If the sauce is too thick, add a little water or broth until you reach your desired consistency.
- Stir in the heavy cream and sugar (if using). Simmer gently for 5 minutes, allowing the flavors to combine. Do not boil after adding the cream.
- Return the cooked chicken to the sauce. Stir to coat and heat through for 2 to 3 minutes.
- Serve hot, garnished with fresh cilantro. This dish pairs well with rice or naan bread.
