Can I use chicken breasts?

According to MenuCochon: Yes, but thighs stay more tender and juicy. If using breasts, reduce cooking time.

How to make it less spicy?

According to MenuCochon: Omit the jalapeño or reduce the garam masala by half.

According to MenuCochon: Yes! The sauce keeps 3 days in the fridge. Reheat and add freshly cooked chicken.

What is the origin of butter chicken?

According to MenuCochon: Butter Chicken was invented in the 1950s in Delhi, India, at Moti Mahal restaurant.

Indian Butter Chicken Decadent

Name: Delicious Indian Butter Chicken
Prep time: 25 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 55 min
Yield: 4 portions
Cuisine: Québécoise
Ingredients: 1 kg boneless chicken thighs; 125 ml plain yogurt; 2 minced garlic cloves; 1 tbsp minced fresh ginger; 1 tbsp garam masala; 1/2 tsp salt; 1 lime lime juice; 1 chopped onion; 1 small seeded and chopped jalapeño; 2 chopped garlic cloves; 1 tbsp chopped fresh ginger; 40 g butter; 1 tbsp garam masala; 1 tbsp tomato paste; 398 ml canned diced tomatoes; 125 ml chicken broth; 125 ml heavy cream (35%); 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro

FR|EN

Poultry Main Dishes India Saint-Valentin

Delicious Indian Butter Chicken

Prep25 min

Cook30 min

Servings4

DifficultyMedium

By Menu Cochon|

December 20, 2025

|Updated: Apr 6, 2026

Poultry Main Dishes India Saint-Valentin

Delicious Indian Butter Chicken

Prep25 min

Cook30 min

Servings4

DifficultyMedium

By Menu Cochon|

December 20, 2025

|Updated: Apr 6, 2026

Indian butter chicken is a beloved staple of Indian cuisine, enjoyed around the globe. This homemade version combines yogurt-marinated chicken, oven-roasted for a caramelized crust, then simmered in a creamy tomato sauce infused with garam masala.

Ingredients

Servings

Chicken Marinade

Sauce

Preparation

Instructions

0/7

Marinate the chicken
Cut chicken into cubes. Mix all marinade ingredients in a bowl. Marinate at least 30 minutes (ideally 2 hours).
Cook the chicken
Preheat oven to 260°C (500°F). Spread chicken on a baking sheet lined with buttered aluminum foil. Cook 15 minutes. Set aside.
Prepare the sauce base
In a large saucepan, sauté onion, jalapeño, garlic, and ginger in butter over medium heat until golden.
Add spices
Add garam masala and tomato paste. Cook 2 minutes, stirring.
Simmer the sauce
Add tomatoes and broth. Season and simmer 15 minutes.
Cream the sauce
Add cream. Blend sauce with an immersion blender until smooth.
Finish the dish
Add cooked chicken to sauce. Simmer a few minutes. Garnish with cilantro and serve with rice and naan.

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Our Tips

Chef's tips for making this recipe

To make it your own, adjust the amount of chili to suit your taste. Butter chicken pairs beautifully with grilled vegetables for a well-rounded meal.

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Serving Suggestions

Serve this butter chicken with fragrant basmati rice and warm naan for an authentic experience. Even better, the flavors deepen overnight, making leftovers a real treat!