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Creamy Butter Chicken

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Creamy Butter Chicken is a rich and comforting Indian chicken curry made with tender marinated chicken, warm spices, and a smooth tomato cream sauce.
Creamy butter chicken in a skillet with tender chicken pieces, fresh parsley, and a rich tomato cream sauce
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Prep Time: 40 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes

Ingredients 

For The Chicken

  • 2 lb boneless skinless chicken thighs cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 1/2 cup plain yogurt
  • 2 garlic cloves minced
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 1 teaspoon garam masala
  • 1/2 teaspoon turmeric
  • 3/4 teaspoon salt

For The Sauce

  • 3 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 small onion finely chopped
  • 3 tablespoons butter
  • 3 garlic cloves minced
  • 1 teaspoon fresh ginger grated
  • 14 oz tomato passata or crushed tomatoes
  • 1/2 cup chicken broth
  • 3/4 cup heavy cream room temperature
  • 2 teaspoons garam masala
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon sugar
  • salt if needed to taste
  • fresh parsley

Instructions

  • Marinate the chicken. Add the chicken to a large bowl. Add the yogurt, garlic, paprika, garam masala, turmeric, and salt. Mix until the chicken is well coated, then cover and let it marinate for at least 30 minutes.
  • Cook the chicken. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the marinated chicken and cook for 6 to 8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until lightly golden and cooked through. Transfer to a plate and set aside.
  • Start the sauce. Reduce the heat to medium. Add the onion and butter to the same skillet and cook for about 4 minutes, stirring often, until softened and lightly golden.
  • Add the aromatics. Stir in the garlic and grated ginger. Cook for about 30 seconds, just until fragrant.
  • Build the sauce. Pour in the tomato passata and chicken broth. Stir in the garam masala, paprika, sugar, and a pinch of salt. Let the sauce simmer for 8 to 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until slightly thickened.
  • Finish with cream. Lower the heat and slowly stir in the room-temperature heavy cream until the sauce is smooth and creamy.
  • Bring it all together. Return the chicken to the skillet and stir well to coat. Simmer over low heat for another 5 to 6 minutes, then finish with fresh cilantro and serve warm.

Notes

  • Let the chicken marinate longer for deeper flavor.
  • Use room-temperature cream for a smoother sauce.
  • If the sauce tastes too sharp, add a little extra cream or a pinch of sugar.
  • For a smoother restaurant-style sauce, blend it before adding the chicken back in.
Creamy butter chicken in a skillet with tender chicken pieces, fresh parsley, and a rich tomato cream sauce
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