Name: Homemade Butter Chicken Recipe – A Complete Guide to Making the Perfect Dish
Ingredients: 1 ½ lbs boneless chicken thighs or breasts, cut into chunks; 1 cup plain yogurt; 2 tbsp lemon juice; 2 tsp garam masala; 1 tsp ground cumin; 1 tsp turmeric; 1 tsp chili powder; 1 tsp salt; 3 tbsp butter; 1 tbsp olive oil; 1 large onion, finely chopped; 3 cloves garlic, minced; 1 tbsp fresh ginger, grated; 2 tsp garam masala; 1 tsp ground cumin; 1 tsp paprika; 1 tsp chili powder (adjust to taste); 1 can (15 oz) tomato sauce or crushed tomatoes; 1 cup heavy cream; 1 tbsp sugar (optional, to balance acidity); Salt & pepper, to taste; Fresh cilantro, chopped (for garnish)

Ingredients

Scale

For the Chicken Marinade:

1 ½ lbs boneless chicken thighs or breasts, cut into chunks
1 cup plain yogurt
2 tbsp lemon juice
2 tsp garam masala
1 tsp ground cumin
1 tsp turmeric
1 tsp chili powder
1 tsp salt

For the Sauce:

3 tbsp butter
1 tbsp olive oil
1 large onion, finely chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 tbsp fresh ginger, grated
2 tsp garam masala
1 tsp ground cumin
1 tsp paprika
1 tsp chili powder (adjust to taste)
1 can (15 oz) tomato sauce or crushed tomatoes
1 cup heavy cream
1 tbsp sugar (optional, to balance acidity)
Salt & pepper, to taste
Fresh cilantro, chopped (for garnish)

Instructions

In a bowl, mix yogurt, lemon juice, and spices for the marinade. Add chicken, coat well, cover, and refrigerate at least 1 hour (overnight best).
Heat a skillet with butter and olive oil over medium heat. Cook marinated chicken until browned (doesn’t need to be fully cooked through). Remove and set aside.
In the same skillet, sauté onion, garlic, and ginger until golden and fragrant.
Stir in garam masala, cumin, paprika, and chili powder. Cook 1 minute.
Add tomato sauce, simmer for 10 minutes. Stir in cream, sugar (if using), salt, and pepper.
Return chicken to the sauce and simmer 10–15 minutes until fully cooked and tender.
Garnish with fresh cilantro.

Serve hot with rice or naan.