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30 Minute Spicy Indian Butter Chicken…the perfect bowl of warming comfort food that’s incredibly delicious. Indian inspired butter chicken made with plenty of spice and creamy coconut milk for a slight twist. It’s cozy, creamy, a little spicy, and filled with warming Indian flavors. Finish each bowl off with steamed rice and serve with fresh naan. You’ll have the perfect dinner that can be enjoyed any night of the week. Bonus? This is quickly made on the stove, with one skillet, and in just about 30 minutes. And…the leftovers are even more delicious the next day.
I’ve said this before I’m sure, but the reason I love to cook so much is because I really love cooking for others. I find so much enjoyment in creating meals for the people I love most. It’s really what inspires me to keep cooking away every day. There’s nothing I love more than having a friend or family member inspire a recipe.
I love the opportunity to make something for someone with the hope that it will be a dish they’ll truly love…one of those dishes my brothers would say is, “fire”. Those are the words I strive for when creating a recipe, but especially when a recipe is created with a specific person in mind.
That was the case with today’s Butter Chicken. This one was inspired by my oldest brother, Creighton. He’s here in Colorado working remotely right now, and the one thing about Creighton?
He loves to eat…like really loves to eat. And one of his favorites foods? Anything Indian inspired and anything spicy. This leads me right into today’s recipe. With Creighton in town, I excitedly have been testing out a new Butter Chicken recipe, and last week I finally got it just right.
Creighton’s exact words…”it’s fire!”
What Is Butter Chicken?
For any of you who are are not familiar, Butter Chicken it’s one of the most popular Indian curries served around the world. I’ve made a few variations in the past, but aside from the coconut milk, today’s recipe is the most traditional.
Butter chicken is made with spices, tomato, butter, and cream. It’s rich and warming, but the spice blend is really what makes this dish. Using a mix of Garam Masala, turmeric, garlic, and plenty of ginger is key to getting an authentic flavor.
Traditionally, Butter Chicken is marinated for many hours in yogurt and spices, but I’ve adjusted that slightly to create a quicker but still super flavorful recipe!
Here’s how to make this 30 Minute Spicy Indian Butter Chicken.
With such a quick cook time, I’m sure you guessed, but this is pretty simple, quick, and easy.
Start with the chicken. Just like in a traditional butter chicken recipe, we’re first tossing the chicken with yogurt and spices. But instead of marinating overnight, I found that a quick ten-minute soak in the spices really does the trick.
While the chicken is sitting, I like to start in on the prep for everything else, chop the onion, garlic, and ginger, grab that coconut milk and tomato paste and get everything for the remainder of the recipe ready to go.
Once the chicken has had some time to sit, pan-sear it in a skillet until crisp.
To that same skillet, add the onion and all those remaining spices and a whole can of tomato paste. Just like my pasta alla vodka, I like to cook the tomato paste together with the spices for a bit to really help intensify the flavors in the sauce.
Then just stir in the coconut milk, or if you don’t enjoy coconut milk, use cream. Either is truly delicious and just as creamy. But I love the subtle coconut flavor paired with these Indian spices, they’re delicious.
Allow the sauce to simmer and thicken, then just stir in a bit of butter and plenty of fresh chopped cilantro. And that’s it, super simple, so delicious.
As this cooks, the aroma in the kitchen is truly incredible. It’s just like your favorite Indian spot in town…but maybe just a touch better. I always find anything made at home to be even more delicious.
I like to serve my butter chicken over steamed rice with some fresh naan for scooping up the creamy, coconutty sauce. Absolutely DELICIOUS. You can’t skip the naan either. It’s reason enough to make a good butter chicken.
So how are the leftovers?
I swear they taste even better the following day. The flavors have time to mend and the sauce is just that more intense.
I can’t tell you how much I love this recipe and how much Creighton loved this recipe. I already know he’s looking forward to it for dinner tonight. This butter chicken is SO flavorful, SO full of color, and a nice switch up from the usual cheesy December pasta dishes I’m always sharing (don’t worry, they’ll be back soon). The best part, well aside from all the deliciousness, is that this requires only one pot and is ready in just about 30 minutes. Perfect for these crazy busy cold December days.
Looking for other Indian inspired dinners? Here are my favorites:
30 Minute Butter Chicken Meatballs
Super Simple Coconut Chicken Tikka Masala
Gingery Coconut Sweet Potato and Rice Stew with Chili Oil
Lastly, if you make this 30 Minute Spicy Indian Butter Chicken, be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! Above all, I love to hear from you guys and always do my best to respond to each and every comment. And of course, if you do make this recipe, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram! Looking through the photos of recipes you all have made is my favorite!
30 Minute Spicy Coconut Butter Chicken
Servings: 6
Calories Per Serving: 561 kcal
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Watch the How-To Reel
Ingredients
- 2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into bite-size chunks
- 1/4 cup plain Greek yogurt
- 6 cloves garlic, minced or grated
- 2 tablespoons fresh grated ginger
- 2 teaspoons plus 1 tablespoon garam masala
- 2 teaspoons cumin
- 1 teaspoon turmeric
- 1-2 teaspoons cayenne pepper, use to your taste
- kosher salt and black pepper
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 4 tablespoons salted butter
- 1 large yellow onion, chopped
- 1-2 teaspoons crushed red pepper flakes, use to your taste
- 1/2 cup tomato paste
- 1 (14 ounce) can full-fat coconut milk (or sub 1 cup cream)
- 1/2 cup fresh cilantro roughly, chopped
- steamed rice and naan, for serving
Instructions
- 1. in a bowl, toss together the chicken, yogurt, 3 cloves garlic, 1 tablespoon ginger, 2 teaspoons garam masala, 1 teaspoon cumin, 1/2 teaspoon turmeric, 1/2 – 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper, and 1 teaspoon salt. Let sit 5-10 minutes. 2. Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and sear on both sides until browned, about 2 minutes. Add 1 tablespoon butter and toss to coat the chicken. Remove the chicken from the skillet to a plate. 3. To the skillet, add the onion and cook 5 minutes, until softened. Add 2 tablespoons butter, 3 cloves garlic, 1 tablespoon ginger, 1 tablespoon garam masala, 1 teaspoon cumin, 1/2 teaspoon turmeric, 1/2 – 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper, and the chili flakes. Season with salt and pepper. Cook until very fragrant, about 5 minutes. Add the tomato paste and continue cooking another 3-4 minutes. 4. Reduce the heat to low. Add 1 cup water and the coconut milk. Stir to combine, bring the sauce to a simmer, cook 5 minutes or until the sauce thickens slightly. Stir in 1 tablespoon butter. If the sauce seems thick, thin with 1/2 to 1 cup additional coconut milk. Add the chicken and any juices on the pan and cook, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens slightly, about 5 minutes. Remove from the heat and stir in the cilantro. Season with salt and pepper.5. Serve the chicken and sauce over bowls of rice with fresh naan. Enjoy!
This post was originally published on December 16, 2020
We just finished eating this amazing dish! I added only a little of the cayenne pepper as I am the only one who loves spicy food in my house. It was delicious and still enough spiciness to make it bright and beautiful! Love this and will make it again.
Hey Lynn,
Thanks so much for giving the recipe a try, I am so glad it worked out for you! Happy Holidays! xTieghan
Just made this dish. It was delicious! Definitely a really good dish to boost one’s immune system during the cold season! I made it together with homemade naan from a different recipe here =)
Hey Regina,
Thanks so much for giving the recipe a try, I am so glad it worked out for you! Happy Holidays! xTieghan
Made this tonight! Absolutely amazing! Great flavor and came together quickly! ANOTHER HOMERUN HBH!
Hey Natalie,
Thanks so much for giving the recipe a try, I am so glad it worked out for you! Happy Holidays! xTieghan
Omg! You did it again! You my dear are becoming my favorite food blogger because your recipes are always spot on; delicious and easy! This tonight was absolutely amazing! I made it dairy free with coconut yogurt (and your suggested coconut milk) and vegan butter and it was delicious! I made Vegan Richa’s naan with this and this meal was 10/10! Thank you!
Hey Steffanie,
Thanks so much for giving the recipe a try, I am so glad it worked out for you! Happy Holidays! xTieghan
This was delicious and so easy! Butter chicken is my fave too!!
Hey Lauren,
Thanks so much for giving the recipe a try, I am so glad it worked out for you! Happy Holidays! xTieghan
Made this tonight! Was an enormous hit with my husband ❤️ I used cream instead of the coconut milk, and it tasted great, but I am sure the coconut milk adds something special. Plan on making it again for New Years! Thanks for all the wonderful recipes you share with the world! I am a loyal follower ? A side note, two of my daughter in laws are receiving one of your cookbooks for Christmas. I’m sure they will love them!
Hey Lori,
Thanks so much for giving the recipe a try, I am so glad it worked out for you! Happy Holidays! xTieghan
I followed the directions to a T, except I increased most of the spices, and this came out very bland for me. Plus between chopping and prepping all the ingredients, it actually took about 90 minutes. I’m very sad 🙁 I love most HBH recipes but I won’t make this one again.
Hey Abby,
Thanks so much for trying the recipe, I am sorry you found this bland, I have yet to hear this from anyone. Is there some way that I can help? Please let me know! xTieghan
This recipe is a home run. I will make it again and again. Thanks, Tieghan!
Hey Laura,
Thanks so much for giving the recipe a try, I am so glad it worked out for you! Happy Holidays! xTieghan
I made this for lunch today and it was outstanding. Made a large portion and accommodated what I had on hand to cook with (mainly sub sour cream for yogurt) and it was enjoyed by all, a repeat for sure!
Hey Meredith,
Thanks so much for giving the recipe a try, I am so glad it worked out for you! Happy Holidays! xTieghan
Made this tonight! My husband loves butter chicken and he is begging me to make this one again. Really loved it, with the right amount of spice!
Hey Gail,
Thanks so much for giving the recipe a try, I am so glad it worked out for you! Happy Holidays! xTieghan
Have all the ingredients for this for tonight but the garam masala. Couldn’t find it locally. What do you suggest for a substitute?
Hey Beth,
You can use curry in place of the Garam Masala. I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! Happy Holidays! xTieghan
This looks sooo good
I do t see the naan recipie
Can you provide this as well
Thanks
Also, how would it taste with less of the seasonings, I suffer from severe gastric reflux and these spices can make it worse
Hey Rose,
Here is the recipe for the naan: https://fett-weg.today/herbed-garlic-butter-naan/%3C/a%3E%3Cbr /> I would just reduce the cayenne and omit the chili flakes. I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! Happy Holidays! xTieghan
This recipe looks delish but I have soooo many spices I’ve used once and then I end up throwing them out after a while. I don’t know what garam masala is…can anything else be substituted?
Hey Sue,
You can use curry in place of the Garam Masala. I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! Happy Holidays! xTieghan
Hi! Thank you for this recipe. Would definitely try it! but was just wondering, to make it perfect, how to do the naan?:)
Hey Mary,
Here is the recipe for the naan: https://fett-weg.today/herbed-garlic-butter-naan/%3C/a%3E%3Cbr /> I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! Happy Holidays! xTieghan
This looks and sounds SO YUMMY. I keep kosher and don’t mix meat and dairy. Love that you use coconut oil. Is there any reasonable sub for the yogurt and butter? Thanks! Amy
Hey Amy,
You can use dairy free yogurt and a vegan butter. I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! Happy Holidays! xTieghan