Creamy Butter Chicken Skillet Recipe - Quick Weeknight Win (Print Version)
Butter chicken skillet recipe ready in 30 minutes! Tender chicken in rich tomato cream sauce, perfect for busy weeknights.
# Recipe Info:
Prep Time: 15 Minutes minutes
Cook Time: 25 Minutes minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes
Servings: 6 Servings
Difficulty: Beginner
Cuisine: Indian
Dietary: Gluten-Free
# Ingredients:
→ Main Ingredients
01 -
2 lbs boneless chicken thighs, cut into chunks
02 -
1 large onion, diced
03 -
1 can (14 oz) crushed tomatoes
04 -
3/4 cup heavy cream
→ Aromatics & Spices
05 -
4 cloves garlic, minced
06 -
1 inch fresh ginger, grated
→ Spice Blend
07 -
2 tsp garam masala
08 -
1 tsp ground cumin
09 -
1 tsp paprika
→ Finishing Touches
10 -
2 tbsp butter
11 -
Fresh cilantro for garnish
12 -
Salt and pepper to taste
# Instructions:
01 -
Pat chicken dry and season with salt and pepper. Heat oil in large skillet over medium-high heat. Sear chicken in single layer for 4-5 minutes until golden. Remove to plate.
02 -
Add diced onion to same skillet and cook 5 minutes until golden. Add garlic and ginger, cooking 30 seconds until fragrant.
03 -
Add garam masala, cumin, and paprika. Stir constantly for 30 seconds until fragrant and bloomed.
04 -
Add crushed tomatoes and simmer 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until sauce reduces and thickens.
05 -
Reduce heat to low, stir in heavy cream. Return chicken and juices to pan. Simmer 8-10 minutes until chicken is cooked through.
06 -
Remove from heat, stir in butter until glossy. Taste and adjust seasoning. Garnish with cilantro and serve immediately.
# Notes:
01 -
Always remove pan from heat before adding cream to prevent curdling—learned this the hard way!
02 -
This tastes even better the next day, so it's perfect for meal prep or making ahead for company.
03 -
I've successfully used Greek yogurt in place of some cream for a lighter version that still tastes rich.
04 -
Serve over basmati rice with warm naan for the full experience—trust me, it's worth buying the good bread.
# Equipment Needed:
01 -
Large skillet
02 -
cutting board
03 -
sharp knife
# Nutrition (Per Serving):
Calories: 420
Total Fat: 28g
Total Carbohydrate: 12g
Protein: 35g