Picky-Eater-Friendly Butter Chicken (A Certified Dinner Win)
If you’ve been here a while, you know this already — but if you’re new, let me catch you up real quick: my husband is extremely picky. Like, if dinner looks even slightly unfamiliar, he starts mentally planning a backup meal from the pantry. Usually chili. Always chili.
So when I say that trying new recipes in our house is risky… I mean it.
Which is why this picky-eater-friendly butter chicken deserves its own moment. Because not only did he eat it — he loved it. Shocked us both.
Why This Butter Chicken Works for Picky Eaters
Traditional butter chicken can sometimes lean too spicy, too sweet, or just too “different” for picky eaters. This version keeps everything balanced and cozy, without losing flavor.
The spices are warm and comforting instead of bold and overpowering:
- cumin
- chili powder
- turmeric
- garam masala
- smoked paprika
They bring depth without heat, which makes this dish approachable but still interesting. It tastes familiar, rich, and comforting — not intimidating.
Creamy, Cozy, and Not Too Much
The sauce is what really makes this recipe. Tomato sauce gives it body, butter adds richness, and a splash of heavy cream pulls everything together into something smooth and velvety.
It’s not spicy.
It’s not sweet.
It’s just… really good.
The kind of dinner you want to eat in a big bowl on a weeknight when you need something comforting that everyone at the table will actually agree on.
A Quick Butter Chicken Fun Fact 🍛
Butter chicken was originally created as a way to use leftover tandoori chicken by simmering it in a rich tomato-butter sauce. Basically: it was born out of practicality — which honestly explains why it’s such a comfort classic.
Let’s Talk About the Chicken
Using diced chicken breast keeps this dish easy and fast. Cutting it into bite-size pieces means it cooks evenly and soaks up all that buttery, spiced sauce without drying out.
And cooking it in stages — oil, butter, garlic, ginger, then spices — builds flavor slowly, which is exactly what keeps this from tasting flat or bland.
Garlic Butter Naan Is Not Optional
I don’t make the rules, but I do enforce this one. Butter chicken without naan just doesn’t hit the same. You need something to scoop, swipe, and soak up every last bit of that sauce.
It’s part of the experience.
Why This Earned a Spot in Our Rotation
This recipe is:
- picky-eater approved
- rich but not heavy
- flavorful without being spicy
- cozy, comforting, and familiar
- easy enough for a weeknight
And in this house? Getting added to the regular dinner rotation is a huge deal.
Picky-Eater-Friendly Butter Chicken
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon avocado oil
- 2 tablespoons butter divided
- 1 –2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts, diced into bite-size pieces
- 5 cloves garlic minced
- 1 teaspoon ginger paste
- ½ teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon garam masala
- ½ teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon ground turmeric
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 15-ounce can tomato sauce or passata
- ½ cup heavy cream
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley mint, or cilantro, chopped
Instructions
- Cook the chicken: Heat the avocado oil and 1 tablespoon of the butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the diced chicken and cook, stirring occasionally, until lightly golden and it doesn’t need to be completely cooked through, but mostly.
- Add aromatics: Lower the heat to medium. Push chicken to one side (add a little oil if needed), stir in the garlic and ginger paste and cook for about 30 seconds, just until fragrant.
- Bloom the spices: Add in all the spices. Stir well and let the spices cook briefly to deepen their flavor.
- Build the sauce: Pour in the tomato sauce and stir to combine. Let the mixture gently simmer for 5–10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until slightly thickened and the chicken is fully cooked.
- Make it creamy: Stir in the heavy cream. Simmer for another 3–5 minutes until the sauce is smooth, rich, and creamy.
- Finish: Remove from heat and sprinkle with fresh parsley, mint, or cilantro.
- Serve: Serve warm with rice and garlic butter naan for scooping up every bit of the sauce.
