Creamy Butter Chicken Recipe: Irresistibly Rich & Ready in 30 Minutes!

This might get me cancelled but Butter Chicken is not meant to be sweet. It is one of the most loved dishes in India and one the most ordered food items.

But what if I tell you that you can whip up this recipe in 30 minutes at home without making it sweet. The typical butter chicken recipe does not apply here. This culinary creation delivers fresh results in a shorter time with minimal preparation needs. 

The only requirements for this dish are quality kitchen equipment, along with fresh chicken and basic ingredients and the desire to develop a rich curry reminiscent of a North Indian Dhaba. Whether cooking for your family or surprise guests, the meal's delectable taste is bound to leave everyone impressed.

Let’s roll up our sleeves and get into the delicious details.

What Makes Butter Chicken So Special?

Murgh makhani, which people also call butter chicken, originated after post-partition Delhi. A combination of creamed tomato sauce present with chicken that has been lightly spiced serves as the basis for this dish. The result? Butter chicken presents itself as a wonderful culinary feast which unites rich tastes with relaxing feelings and sharp flavours, together with soft, easy cooking methods.

The brilliance of this dish emerges from its textural combinations, together with tender chicken pieces alongside silky sauce, joined by mild kasuri methi flavour, followed by smooth cream.

Our modern preparation of this recipe combines the traditional taste with faster preparation times than the conventional method.

Ingredients: What You'll Need

Credits: Canva

For the Chicken Marinade:

• 500 grams boneless chicken (preferably thigh), cut into cubes
  
  
• ½ cup thick curd (yoghurt)
  
  
• 1 tbsp ginger-garlic paste
  
  
• 1 tsp red chilli powder (adjust to taste)
  
  
• ½ tsp turmeric
  
  
• 1 tsp garam masala
  
  
• Salt to taste
  
  
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
  
  

For the Gravy:

• 2 tbsp butter
  
  
• 1 tbsp oil (helps prevent butter from burning)
  
  
• 1 bay leaf
  
  
• 1 black cardamom (optional)
  
  
• 4 cloves
  
  
• 1-inch cinnamon stick
  
  
• 2 medium onions, finely chopped
  
  
• 2 tsp ginger-garlic paste
  
  
• 3 large tomatoes, pureed
  
  
• 1 tsp red chilli powder
  
  
• ½ tsp turmeric powder
  
  
• 1 tsp coriander powder
  
  
• 1 tsp sugar (optional, balances acidity of tomatoes)
  
  
• ¼ cup cashew nuts, soaked in warm water for 10 minutes
  
  
• ½ cup fresh cream
  
  
• 1 tsp dried fenugreek leaves (kasuri methi)
  
  
• Salt to taste
  
  
• Fresh coriander for garnish
  

Step-by-Step: How to Make Creamy Butter Chicken in 30 Minutes

Credits: Canva

Step 1: Marinate the Chicken (5 minutes + passive time)

A mixing bowl receives the combination of chicken pieces, yoghurt, ginger-garlic paste, red chilli powder and turmeric and garam masala along with lemon juice and salt. Roughly stir together the ingredients before allowing the mixture to rest between ten to fifteen minutes. Proceed with preparing the sauce when the marinade has time to rest.

The brief marinating period both softens the chicken through tenderization and seals in all warm spices.

Pro Tip: If your food processor comes with a kneading paddle, use it to mix and coat the chicken evenly without getting your hands dirty.

Step 2: Cook the Chicken (8 minutes)

A non-stick or cast-iron skillet needs to be heated to a medium-high temperature. To start cooking the marinated chicken pieces one by one, add 1 tablespoon of oil to the pan. Sear until golden brown on both sides. The chicken pieces require only browned surfaces before being submerged in the gravy because the broth will complete the cooking process.

Once done, remove and set aside.

Note: A cooktop with quick ignition helps save those extra minutes here. And with a chimney pulling the smoke up, you can keep the rest of your house fresh.

Step 3: Build the Gravy Base (7 minutes)

In the same pan, add butter and a little more oil. Drop in whole spices—bay leaf, cardamom, cloves, cinnamon—and let them crackle for a few seconds.

Add finely chopped onions and sauté till golden brown. This is key to building deep flavour.

Add ginger-garlic paste and cook till the raw smell disappears. This should take just a minute or two on a high-efficiency flame.

Step 4: Add Tomatoes and Spices (5 minutes)

Pour in the tomato puree and let it simmer. Add chilli powder, turmeric, coriander powder, salt, and sugar.

Stir and let it cook till the tomato mixture thickens and starts leaving the sides of the pan.

Step 5: Blend for Creaminess (3 minutes)

Credits: Glen India

Let the mixture cool slightly. Add soaked cashew nuts and the cooked tomato-onion base to your blender or food processor. Blitz until smooth.

Return the silky gravy to the pan and bring it to a gentle boil. Add a splash of water if it’s too thick.

Time-Saving Tip: A good blender with stainless steel blades gives you a perfect, creamy base without the need to strain.

Step 6: Add Chicken and Simmer (3 minutes)

Return the chicken pieces that have been partially cooked into the prepared gravy. Gently stir the mixture to ensure complete coating of all chicken pieces. Let the mixture simmer on medium heat while the chicken finishes cooking for 3 to 4 minutes.

Add cream along with crushed kasuri methi into the pot. Stir the mixture lightly before removing heat from the stove.

When you observe the sauce its transformation creates a buttery and glossy dish.

Step 7: Garnish and Serve

Credits: Canva

Garnish with fresh coriander leaves and an extra drizzle of cream if you like it extra indulgent.

Equipment That Makes It Easier

Before we dive into the ingredients, here's a quick look at how your kitchen can be your best helper:

• The powerful chimney device maintains kitchen freshness by preventing odor accumulation during chicken frying and spice toasting.
  
  
• High-performance Cooktop ensures even heat distribution and faster cooking.
  
  
• A Food Processor or Blender makes the sauce ultra-smooth and creamy in seconds.
• A non-stick Pan or cast-iron skillet helps cook the chicken evenly without drying it out.
  

What to Serve With Butter Chicken

Credits: Glen India

Here are some great pairings:

• Naan or Garlic Naan serves as an ideal bread to absorb butter chicken gravy. Reheat standard naan purchased from a store in a tandoor-style oven to gain authentic taste.
• Plain Basmati Rice and Jeera Rice serve as complementary sides that allow butter chicken to stand out.
• Laccha Paratha brings its layered crispness as an ideal side to the creamy butter chicken dish.
  
  

If you have an induction cooktop or modern hob, you’ll love how evenly it toasts your flatbreads without burning them.

Time-Saving Tips for Busy Days

Let’s face it, weekday dinners are a race against the clock. Here are some hacks:

• Pre-marinate and freeze chicken in zip lock bags. Just thaw and cook when needed.
  
  
• Make the gravy base ahead in a double batch. It stays fresh in the fridge for up to 3 days or in the freezer for a month.
  
  
• Use kitchen appliances smartly, a fast ignition cooktop, powerful mixer, and easy-to-clean chimney make all the difference in cutting prep and cleanup time.

Variations to Try

Feeling adventurous? Here are a few takes on the classic:

1. Paneer Makhani

Swap chicken with paneer cubes. Vegetarians can enjoy it while non-vegetarians will consider it equally satisfying.

2. Grilled Butter Chicken

You should place the chicken in an electric tandoor  to develop grill marks before placing it in the gravy. The meat develops an undeniably tempting smoky taste through this preparation.

3. Butter Chicken Pasta

The combination of penne or spaghetti with leftover butter chicken creates an unexpected desi-Italian dish that tastes exceptionally well.

4. Butter Chicken Wraps

Credits: Canva

To create a fast lunch option, you should put butter chicken curry and onion rings inside either a paratha or a tortilla.

Why This Recipe Works Every Time

• The food gets ready quickly, but it maintains its taste quality.
• The recipe requires basic components which Indian home cooks can easily obtain from stores.
• The correct appliances used for efficiency reduce the complexity of managing multiple tasks at once.
• The same flavours in this recipe enable comprehensive modification between mild, spicy, rich and light taste profiles.

Conclusion: Make It Special with Glen

Butter chicken stands as more than a mere dish because it marks a joyful celebration. Home preparation of this dish becomes simple and efficient because your kitchen provides you with all the necessary tools. With advanced cooktops, intuitive food processors, efficient chimneys, and high-performance cookware, you can create restaurant-style dishes in the comfort of your own home.

That's Glen India’s promise—making everyday cooking simpler, quicker, and infinitely more enjoyable. So the next time you’re craving something creamy, rich, and deeply satisfying, just head to your kitchen. With Glen by your side, you’ve got this.