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How to Make Indian Butter Chicken

Our Indian butter chicken recipe is as close to the original as it gets with multiple signature spices, tomato-based sauce, and succulent chicken thighs.
  • cook TIME 25 mins
  • prep TIME 5 mins
  • total TIME 30 mins
Course: Main CourseCuisine: Indian
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 490 kcal
Author: Tuyet Pham, Luna Regina

Ingredients (23)

  • 20 oz skinless boneless chicken thighs cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 2 tbsp unsalted butter
  • 4 flour tortillas
  • 1/4 cup plain Greek yogurt
  • 1/2 tbsp lime juice
  • 1 tsp paprika
  • 1 tsp ground cumin
  • 1/2 tsp garam masala
  • 1/2 tsp turmeric powder
  • 1/2 tsp Cajun seasoning
  • 1/2 tsp chili powder
  • 1/2 tsp cayenne
  • 1/2 tsp sugar
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp ground black pepper
  • 1 tbsp garlic minced
  • 1 tbsp ginger minced
  • 1 tbsp Hunt’s tomato paste
  • 1/2 tbsp all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup Homemade tomato sauce
  • 1/2 cup unsalted chicken broth
  • 4 tbsp heavy cream
  • 2 tbsp cilantro finely chopped

INSTRUCTIONS

Prep:

1

Cut the chicken: Cut the chicken thighs into strips, then cut the strips into bite-sized pieces.

2

Mince the garlic: Slice off the root part of the cloves. Bash them with a knife and peel off the skin. Mince the garlic with a knife or a mincer.

3

Mince the ginger: Separate the knobs and peel the skin with a knife. Cut the knobs into thin round slices, then cut the slices into thin strips. Cut the strips into small cubes, then mince them into small pieces.

4

Chop the cilantro: Bunch the cilantro into a small mound, then chop finely with a knife.

Cook:

1

Season the chicken: Prepare a bowl and add 20 oz skinless boneless chicken thighs. Add the seasoning: 1/4 cup of Greek yogurt, 1/2 tbsp lime juice, 1 tsp paprika, 1 tsp ground cumin, 1/2 tsp garam masala, 1/2 tsp turmeric powder, 1/2 tsp Cajun seasoning, 1/2 tsp chili powder, 1/2 tsp cayenne, 1/2 tsp sugar, 1/4 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp ground black pepper. Mix the seasoning blend and rub it on the chicken thighs.

2

Toast the tortillas: Toast 4 flour tortillas for 1 minute on each side in a pan over medium heat.

3

Caramelize the garlic and ginger: Place a pan over medium heat until hot. Add 2 tbsp unsalted butter, 1 tbsp garlic, and 1 tbsp ginger. Stir for 30 seconds to caramelize.

4

Start the sauce: Add 1 tbsp of Hunt’s tomato paste and stir for 30 seconds.

5

Stir-fry the chicken: Add the seasoned chicken and stir for 5 minutes.

6

Add more seasoning: Add 1/2 cup of homemade tomato sauce and 1/2 tbsp all-purpose flour. Stir for 2 minutes.

7

Cook down the sauce: Add 1/2 cup unsalted chicken broth and reduce the sauce by about half for 5 minutes. Then stir in 4 tbsp heavy cream for 1 minute and take it off the heat.

8

Garnish and serve: Sprinkle with 2 tbsp cilantro. Serve the chicken with the toasted flour tortillas.

Nutrition

Serving: 1 serving | Calories: 490kcal | Fat 25g | Saturated Fat 9.6g | Polyunsaturated Fat 3g | Monounsaturated Fat 8g | Cholesterol 168mg | Sodium 569mg | Potassium 677mg | Carbohydrate 32g | Fiber 2g | Sugar 5g | Protein 33g | Vitamin A 976IU | Vitamin C 9mg | Calcium 43mg | Iron 3mg