Creamy Butter Chicken
Tender chicken in a rich, aromatic tomato-butter sauce — better than takeout
By RecipesQueen Kitchen • June 10, 2026
Butter chicken (murgh makhani) is the world's most beloved Indian dish for good reason — tender marinated chicken in a velvety sauce of tomatoes, butter, cream, and warming spices.
Marinate the chicken in yogurt and spices for at least 30 minutes. The yogurt tenderizes while the spices penetrate.
The sauce is a symphony of ginger, garlic, garam masala, and kasuri methi (dried fenugreek leaves).
Ingredients
- 2 lbs boneless chicken thighs, cubed
- 1/2 cup plain yogurt
- 2 tsp garam masala
- 1 tsp turmeric
- 1 can (14 oz) crushed tomatoes
- 3 tbsp butter
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1 large onion, diced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp fresh ginger, grated
- 1 tsp kasuri methi (dried fenugreek)
- 1 tsp salt
Instructions
- 1
Marinate chicken in yogurt, 1 tsp garam masala, turmeric, and salt for at least 30 minutes.
- 2
Sear marinated chicken in butter until golden. Remove and set aside.
- 3
In the same pan, cook onion, garlic, and ginger until soft. Add remaining garam masala.
- 4
Add crushed tomatoes. Simmer 15 minutes, then blend until smooth.
- 5
Return chicken to sauce. Stir in cream and kasuri methi. Simmer 10 minutes.
- 6
Serve over basmati rice or with warm naan bread.
