How to Make Butter Chicken at Home: Restaurant-Style Recipe

How to make Butter Chicken at home? Butter Chicken, also known as murgh makhani, is one of the most loved Indian dishes around the world. This creamy, flavorful curry made with tender chicken and a spiced tomato-butter sauce brings the taste of restaurant food right to your kitchen.

In this guide, we will show you how to make butter chicken at home, using an easy recipe by Chef Varun Inamdar.

History of Butter Chicken

Butter chicken, or murgh makhani, has a rich and flavorful history just like the dish itself. It was created by accident in 1947 at the famous Moti Mahal restaurant in Delhi, India. The story goes that the chefs mixed leftover tandoori chicken with a tomato-rich gravy, butter, and cream. This unplanned dish turned into one of the most loved Indian curries ever made.

The idea behind butter chicken was simple yet brilliant. Leftover chicken was saved from drying out by immersing it in a spiced tomato and butter sauce. As a result, it became tender and flavorful again. Over time, the dish gained fame not just across India but also globally.

In 1974, a formal recipe for murgh makhani was published, describing it as tandoori chicken cooked in butter and tomato sauce. Just a year later, the term “butter chicken” appeared on menus in the United States, notably at the Gaylord Indian restaurant in Manhattan. It quickly became a restaurant favorite across North America, Europe, and Southeast Asia.

In places like Australia and New Zealand, butter chicken even found its way into savory pie fillings, showing how popular and versatile it had become. Today, learning how to make butter chicken at home is common among food lovers worldwide. Thanks to its creamy taste and gentle spice, it remains a dish that crosses cultures and generations.

Summary: How to Make Butter Chicken at Home

Learning how to make butter chicken at home lets you enjoy this popular Indian dish without going to a restaurant. Start by marinating chicken with ginger garlic paste, chili powder, and salt.

Then, cook the chicken and prepare a rich tomato-cashew gravy using butter, cream, and spices. Blend and strain the sauce, add the chicken back in, and let it simmer. Finally, garnish with cream and kasoori methi for a smooth, flavorful finish.

With simple steps and everyday ingredients, you can create a creamy, comforting butter chicken that your whole family will love.

Ingredients You Will Need

To learn how to make butter chicken at home, gather the following simple ingredients. This recipe serves 4 to 5 people.

For the Chicken

• 300 gms boneless chicken breast
• 1 tbsp ginger garlic paste
• 1 tbsp red chili powder
• Salt to taste
• Oil to pan-fry

For the Gravy

• 500 gms roughly chopped tomatoes
• 100 gms roughly chopped onions
• 1 tbsp garlic paste
• 50 gms cashews
• 1 tsp kasoori methi
• ½ tsp garam masala
• 4 tbsp sugar
• 2 tbsp Kashmiri chili powder
• 5 tbsp butter
• 3 tbsp cream
• 2 tbsp malt vinegar or 1.5 tbsp white vinegar
• Salt to taste

Step-by-Step Method to make butter chicken at home

Let’s go through how to make butter chicken at home in simple steps. This recipe is easy to follow, and each stage builds up the flavor.

Step 1: Marinate the Chicken

Start by marinating the chicken with ginger garlic paste, red chili powder, and salt. Let it rest for 15 to 20 minutes. This helps tenderize the meat and infuse flavor.

Step 2: Cook the Chicken

Heat oil in a pan and pan-fry the marinated chicken until it is fully cooked. Then, set the pieces aside in a bowl for later use.

Step 3: Prepare the Gravy Base

In the same pan, add a little oil, some butter, and the chopped onions. Cook them until soft. Then add chopped tomatoes and cashews. Mix well.

Step 4: Add Spices and Simmer

Add a splash of water along with garlic paste, salt, vinegar, sugar, garam masala, and chili powder. Stir everything together and simmer for 15 to 20 minutes. This will allow the flavors to blend.

Step 5: Blend and Strain the Sauce

After simmering, blend the entire mixture into a smooth puree. Strain the puree back into the pan. This helps remove any large chunks and gives the curry a silky texture.

Step 6: Add Final Ingredients

Now, add butter, cream, and the cooked chicken pieces to the gravy. Sprinkle in some kasoori methi. Let the curry simmer for another 5 to 7 minutes so the chicken absorbs the sauce.

Step 7: Garnish and Serve

Garnish your butter chicken with a drizzle of cream and a pinch of kasoori methi. Your delicious butter chicken is ready to be served hot with naan or rice.

Tips for the Best Butter Chicken

If you want to master how to make butter chicken at home, here are a few tips:

1. Use Kashmiri chili powder for color without too much heat.
2. Blend and strain the sauce for a creamy, smooth texture.
3. Don’t skip the kasoori methi – it adds a unique aroma.

Final Thoughts

Learning how to make butter chicken at home lets you enjoy a restaurant-style dish any time. This flavorful Indian curry is made with simple ingredients, but the result is rich, creamy, and deeply satisfying. Whether it’s a family dinner or a special weekend meal, butter chicken is always a hit.

By following this recipe, you can bring home the taste of India’s famous curry with ease. Try it today and enjoy the perfect blend of spices, butter, and cream in every bite.

5 popular butter chicken at home recipes

Here are 5 popular butter chicken at home recipes from trusted websites. Each one offers a unique take on the classic dish, with helpful instructions and easy-to-find ingredients.

1. Easy Butter Chicken Recipe by BBC Good Food

This version from BBC Good Food is a creamy, mild, and family-friendly curry. It uses yogurt-marinated chicken and a spiced tomato sauce, making it both delicious and simple to prepare.

2. Authentic Butter Chicken by RecipeTin Eats

Nagi’s RecipeTin Eats offers a rich and flavorful butter chicken recipe inspired by traditional Indian flavors. Her step-by-step guide is perfect for beginners and includes homemade curry sauce.

3. Butter Chicken by Bon Appétit

Bon Appétit’s butter chicken recipe balances classic spices with modern cooking techniques. The sauce is smooth and creamy, and the chicken is marinated in yogurt for tenderness.

4. Butter Chicken by NYT Cooking

The New York Times version by Tejal Rao brings restaurant-quality butter chicken to your table. It highlights the use of garam masala and kasoori methi for authentic flavor.

5. Murgh Makhani (Indian Butter Chicken) by AllRecipes

This crowd-favorite recipe on AllRecipes offers a straightforward way to cook butter chicken at home. It includes helpful user reviews and a creamy tomato-based sauce that works every time.

These recipes are perfect for exploring different methods of how to make butter chicken at home, depending on your preferences and kitchen tools.

Some Common Questions People Ask about How to Make Butter Chicken at Home

Here are the answers of some common questions people ask about how to make butter chicken at home.

What is the sauce in butter chicken made of?

The sauce in butter chicken is creamy and rich. It is made from tomatoes, butter, cream, cashews, garlic, and Indian spices. These ingredients are blended together to form a smooth, flavorful gravy.

When learning how to make butter chicken at home, using fresh tomatoes and cream helps achieve the same texture as in restaurants.

What is the secret to a good butter chicken?

The secret to a good butter chicken is marination and slow cooking. First, marinate the chicken with spices to enhance the flavor. Then, cook it gently in a rich tomato and butter sauce.

Using kasoori methi and cream makes the dish more aromatic. Understanding these steps is important when learning how to make butter chicken at home.

How to make butter chicken masala at home?

To make butter chicken masala, marinate the chicken with chili powder, ginger garlic paste, and salt. Cook the chicken and set it aside.

Make a sauce by simmering tomatoes, onions, cashews, and spices. Blend the sauce, strain it, then add butter, cream, and the chicken. This is a great way to learn how to make butter chicken at home.

How to make home made butter?

To make homemade butter, pour heavy cream into a jar or mixer and shake or blend until the butter separates. Wash the butter in cold water to remove the milk solids, then store it in the fridge.

This quick method is helpful if you’re exploring recipes like how to make butter chicken at home and need fresh butter.

What are 3 steps in making butter?

There are three main steps to making butter at home. First, whip or churn heavy cream until it separates. Next, wash the butter with cold water to clean it.

Finally, knead and store it in a container. This simple process supports recipes like how to make butter chicken at home, where fresh butter adds great flavor.

How to make butter in 5 steps?

To make butter in five steps, follow this method:

1. Pour heavy cream into a bowl.
2. Whip it using a mixer until butter separates.
3. Strain the liquid.
4. Wash the butter in cold water.
5. Knead and store it.

This homemade butter works wonderfully in recipes like how to make butter chicken at home.

What is the fastest way to make butter?

The fastest way to make butter is by using a blender or food processor. Pour in heavy cream and blend for several minutes.

Once the butter and buttermilk separate, drain and wash the butter. This fresh butter can be used when you learn how to make butter chicken at home and want an authentic taste.

How to make buttermilk chicken?

To make buttermilk chicken, marinate chicken in buttermilk with salt, garlic, and spices. Let it rest for a few hours. Then bake, grill, or fry it until cooked.

The buttermilk makes the chicken soft and juicy. This technique is useful even when learning how to make butter chicken at home, especially for tender meat.

How to make garlic butter with chopped garlic?

To make garlic butter with chopped garlic, melt butter in a pan and add finely chopped garlic. Cook gently until it turns golden. Add salt or herbs if desired.

This garlic butter is great for naan or cooking. It also pairs well with recipes like how to make butter chicken at home, enhancing the flavor.

Can you cook chicken in garlic butter?

Yes, you can cook chicken in garlic butter. First, melt butter and sauté chopped garlic until fragrant. Then, add chicken and cook until golden and juicy.

This method adds a strong, rich flavor. You can even add garlic butter to the gravy when trying how to make butter chicken at home for extra taste.

How to cook dough balls?

To cook dough balls, first preheat your oven. Then, roll dough into small balls and place them on a baking tray. Bake until golden brown.

You can also fill them with cheese or brush them with garlic butter. They are perfect as a side dish for meals like how to make butter chicken at home.

What is in honey butter?

Honey butter is made from just two ingredients: soft butter and honey. Mix them together until smooth and creamy.

You can add cinnamon or vanilla for extra flavor. It is sweet, creamy, and delicious. Though not used in how to make butter chicken at home, it pairs well with naan or soft bread.