One-Pan Butter Chicken: Easy and Flavorful

This easy one-pan butter chicken is exactly what we were looking for. It's straightforward, doesn't need a ton of ingredients, but still has the perfect amount of flavor and spice. It goes great with simply cooked Basmatti rice, warm naan bread or our traditional Indian style cauliflower and potato side.

Easy Butter Chicken RecipePhoto byThyme of Season

What is Butter Chicken?

Butter Chicken (Murgh Makhani) is a fan favorite at Indian restaurants everywhere. With its fragrant, golden chicken swimming in a rich, creamy sauce. The sauce is packed with flavor and pairs perfectly with the chicken. You can easily tweak the heat level by adding more or less cayenne to suit your taste. This Butter Chicken recipe is definitely a must-try!

Not only is this dish super tasty, but it's also easy to make at home. Once you get the hang of this recipe, you'll never want takeout again.

Ingredients you will need:

• 1 tablespoon oil
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 1 medium white onion diced
• 1 teaspoon fresh ginger finely minced or grated (or use paste)
• 2-3 cloves garlic finely minced
• 1 ½ pounds about 2-3 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into ¾-inch chunks
• 4 tablespoons tomato paste or 8 oz can of tomato sauce
• 1 tablespoon garam masala
• 1 teaspoon cumin
• 1 teaspoon chili powder, or paprika - adjust to taste
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 cup heavy cream

How to make this Easy Butter Chicken

1. Start by heating up a big skillet or a medium saucepan on medium-high heat. Toss in the oil, butter, and onions, cooking them until they turn a light golden color, which should take around 3-4 minutes. Then, mix in the ginger and garlic, cooking for about 30 seconds while stirring to prevent burning.

2. Next, add the chicken, tomato paste, and your choice of spices. Let it cook for about 5-6 minutes until everything is nicely cooked.

3. Finally, pour in the heavy cream and let it simmer for 8-10 minutes, giving it a stir now and then. Serve it up over some Basmati rice or alongside naan.