The Pioneer Woman Tasty Kitchen
Profile Photo

Butter Chicken

4.61 Mitt(s) 113 Rating(s)113 votes, average: 4.61 out of 5113 votes, average: 4.61 out of 5113 votes, average: 4.61 out of 5113 votes, average: 4.61 out of 5113 votes, average: 4.61 out of 5

Prep:

Cook:

Level: Easy

System:

4
x

Print Options

Page size Letter 3x5 4x6
Text Size Small Medium Large
Content Include description
Include prep time, etc.
Show image

Description

This Indian recipe was discovered at my school’s International Potluck dinner. I don’t know much about Indian cuisine, but these ingredients have a lot in common with the Mexican flavors I love. My husband thinks this is one of the best things I make.

Ingredients

  • 4 pieces Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts, Cut Into Bite Size Pieces
  • 5 cloves Garlic, Minced
  • 1 teaspoon Salt
  • ½ teaspoons Black Pepper
  • ½ teaspoons Cayenne Pepper
  • ¼ teaspoons Ground Coriander
  • ¼ teaspoons Cumin
  • ¼ teaspoons Cardamom
  • 1 whole Lime, Juiced
  • 1 whole Onion, Diced
  • ¼ cups Butter
  • 1 can (14.5 Oz. Can) Tomato Sauce
  • 1 can (14.5 Oz. Can) Petite Diced Tomatoes
  • 1 pint Whipping Cream
  • 1 bunch Chopped Cilantro, to taste
  • 2 cups Basmati Rice (or However Much You Want)

Preparation

Combine first 9 ingredients and marinate overnight.

Saute the onion in the butter until soft. Add marinated chicken and cook about 10 minutes. Add the tomato sauce and diced tomatoes. Cook for 30 minutes over medium-low heat with the lid on. Add the whipping cream (I have used light cream or half-and-half also) and cilantro just before serving over Basmati rice.

Note: this is a little spicy, but you can cut back on the cayenne if you want.

97 Comments

You must be logged in to post a comment.

Profile photo of kgrantwa

kgrantwa on 4.27.2017

Followed recipe as noted. Tripled the spices because, without the additions, the tomato flavor overwhelmed the rest of the dish. Then it was tasty.

Profile photo of Susie

Susie on 3.22.2014

I found this recipe a few weeks ago and was intrigued. My family and I live in Lima, Peru South America and there were a few ingredients that I couldn’t find at my local grocery store (cardamom and Coriander) so when my husband headed to the US for a trip I had him pick some up just for this recipe. Well I have to say, it was worth the wait. I made it yesterday and we ate it today! DELICIOUS! It is a dish that I would gladly order from a restaurant! Yummy! Thanks for the recipe. (By the way, I just looked over at my husband and he was licking his plate!)

Profile photo of Heather A

Heather A on 8.8.2013

I’m pretty sure this recipe is the only reason my husband married me. Thanks!

Profile photo of Sue

Sue on 1.1.2013

I love this recipe!!!

Profile photo of Katie van Schaijik

Katie van Schaijik on 12.8.2012

This has become a family favorite. Last time my nine year old said, “We should make this more often!”

112 Reviews

You must be logged in to post a review.

Profile photo of kgrantwa

kgrantwa on 4.27.2017

Felt the sauce was overpowered by tomato, so tripled the spice amounts. That helped.

Profile photo of lindsey

lindsey on 8.19.2015

For a few years now I’ve been making this meal. Every person that has tried it, loved it! It does have a long prep time, but it is so worth it. My husband who wasn’t a fan of spicy foods, loves this meal. We went to an authentic Indian restaurant and had their butter chicken, my husband and I both agreed that we enjoyed this recipe better.
The sauce is delicious over the rice, probably my favorite thing about this meal.

Profile photo of Mom Life Food and Travel

Mom Life Food and Travel on 7.23.2013

This was amazing! The chicken was full of flavor, but the sauce was out of this world! Next time I will reduce the amount of heavy cream to make the sauce a little thicker but besides that it was perfect! I will definitely add it to my monthly rotation :)

Profile photo of cherylovesfood

cherylovesfood on 4.25.2012

I can’t believe my husband ate this! He has been refusing to try Butter Chicken for years. We LOVED it! I did tweak it a bit… I added all of the marinade ingredients to the sauce mixture and added more cayenne and some hot sauce when it wasn’t getting spicy enough. I will definitely make this again! Thank you!

Profile photo of Heather  - Kitchen in the Sticks

Heather - Kitchen in the Sticks on 3.28.2012

I feel terrible for saying this, but I was really disappointed. I personally think that, if it weren’t for the cilantro, this would have hardly any taste at all. I follow the recipe to a T except that I added more cayenne pepper because we like heat. It was a beautiful dish, though, that’s for sure!

Related Recipes

Garlic Shrimp Scampi with Angel Hair Pasta
Profile Photo by Blondelish.com in Main Courses
This shrimp scampi with angel hair pasta is a delicious dinner...
5.00 Mitt(s) 1 Rating(s)1 vote, average: 5.00 out of 51 vote, average: 5.00 out of 51 vote, average: 5.00 out of 51 vote, average: 5.00 out of 51 vote, average: 5.00 out of 5

Prep: Cook:

Serves: 4 Level: Easy


Mango Tilapia
Profile Photo by Shavanna in Main Courses
This is an easy, tasty and healthy recipe for a pan-seared...
0.00 Mitt(s) 0 Rating(s)0 votes, average: 0.00 out of 50 votes, average: 0.00 out of 50 votes, average: 0.00 out of 50 votes, average: 0.00 out of 50 votes, average: 0.00 out of 5

Prep: Cook:

Serves: 4 Level: Easy


Sage Garlic Lamb with Feta Yogurt Sauce
Profile Photo by Molly Mulligan in Main Courses
Using few ingredients, this recipe for ground lamb is so tasty!...
0.00 Mitt(s) 0 Rating(s)0 votes, average: 0.00 out of 50 votes, average: 0.00 out of 50 votes, average: 0.00 out of 50 votes, average: 0.00 out of 50 votes, average: 0.00 out of 5

Prep: Cook:

Serves: 4 Level: Easy


Cabbage Rolls
Profile Photo by Beth Pierce in Main Courses
These delicious traditional stuffed Cabbage Rolls are made with ground sausage...
0.00 Mitt(s) 0 Rating(s)0 votes, average: 0.00 out of 50 votes, average: 0.00 out of 50 votes, average: 0.00 out of 50 votes, average: 0.00 out of 50 votes, average: 0.00 out of 5

Prep: Cook:

Serves: 12 Level: Easy


Dorito Casserole
Profile Photo by Krystle in Main Courses
Flavorful ground beef, and melty cheese in a crunchy doritos crust....
5.00 Mitt(s) 2 Rating(s)2 votes, average: 5.00 out of 52 votes, average: 5.00 out of 52 votes, average: 5.00 out of 52 votes, average: 5.00 out of 52 votes, average: 5.00 out of 5

Prep: Cook:

Serves: 8 Level: Easy