Creamy Butter Chicken with Naan
Rich and creamy butter chicken in a velvety tomato-spiced sauce, served with warm garlic naan. An authentic Indian comfort dinner with 34g protein in under 45 minutes.
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15m
4
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Ingredients
- 1.5 lbs boneless skinless chicken breast, cubed
- 1 cup plain yogurt
- 2 teaspoons garam masala
- 1 teaspoon turmeric
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 3 tablespoons butter, divided
- 1 large onion, finely diced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated
- 14 oz can crushed tomatoes
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- Salt to taste
- Fresh cilantro for garnish
- Store-bought or homemade naan for serving
Instructions
- 1
Marinate the chicken
In a bowl, combine cubed chicken with yogurt, 1 teaspoon garam masala, turmeric, and a pinch of salt. Mix well and let marinate for at least 15 minutes (or overnight in the fridge for best results).
- 2
Cook the chicken
Melt 1 tablespoon butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add marinated chicken and cook 5-6 minutes until browned on all sides. Chicken doesn't need to be cooked through — it will finish in the sauce. Remove and set aside.
- 3
Build the sauce
In the same skillet, melt remaining 2 tablespoons butter over medium heat. Add diced onion and cook 5 minutes until softened. Add garlic and ginger, cook 1 minute until fragrant. Stir in remaining garam masala, cumin, paprika, and cayenne. Cook 30 seconds.
- 4
Add tomatoes and cream
Pour in crushed tomatoes and tomato paste. Stir well and simmer 10 minutes. Reduce heat to low and stir in heavy cream and sugar. The sauce should turn a beautiful rich orange color.
- 5
Finish the chicken
Return the chicken to the sauce. Simmer gently for 8-10 minutes until chicken is cooked through and the sauce has thickened slightly. Season with salt to taste.
- 6
Serve
Garnish with fresh cilantro. Serve hot with warm naan bread for scooping up the creamy sauce. Basmati rice also works as a side.
Chef's Tips
Marinating the chicken in yogurt tenderizes it and adds flavor — even 15 minutes helps, but overnight is ideal. Use full-fat yogurt and heavy cream for the richest sauce. If you want it spicier, add more cayenne or a chopped green chili. The sauce tastes even better the next day, making this great for meal prep.
Nutrition Facts
Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about making this creamy butter chicken with naan
How long does it take to make Creamy Butter Chicken with Naan?
The listed total time is 40 minutes. Prep time is 15 minutes and cooking time is 25 minutes. Follow the instructions for any resting or chilling steps.
How many servings does this Creamy Butter Chicken with Naan recipe make?
This recipe yields 4 servings.
What is the difficulty level of this Creamy Butter Chicken with Naan recipe?
The listed difficulty level is medium.