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Picky-Eater-Friendly Butter Chicken

This picky-eater-friendly butter chicken is rich, creamy, and perfectly balanced — flavorful without being spicy or overly sweet. Tender chicken simmers in a cozy tomato-butter sauce with warm, mild spices, making it a total crowd-pleaser and an easy weeknight dinner win.
Print Recipe
Butter CHICKEN
Prep Time:5 minutes
Cook Time:20 minutes
Total Time:25 minutes

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.
Servings: 4