Ingredients
- Boneless, skinless chicken breast, cubed (1.5 pounds)
- Unsalted butter (4 tablespoons)
- Canned tomato puree (15 ounces)
- Heavy cream (1 cup)
- Yellow onion, finely diced (1 medium)
- Garam Masala (2 teaspoons)
- Smoked paprika (1 teaspoon)
- Fresh garlic cloves, minced (4 cloves)
Instructions
- Step 1: Season the cubed chicken generously with salt, pepper, and 1 teaspoon of the Garam Masala. Melt 2 tablespoons of butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat and sear the chicken until browned on all sides, then remove the chicken and set aside.
- Step 2: Reduce the heat to medium and melt the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter in the skillet. Add the diced onion, minced garlic, the remaining Garam Masala, and the smoked paprika. Sauté until the onion is soft and translucent, about 5-7 minutes.
- Step 3: Pour the tomato puree into the skillet along with 1/2 cup of water. Bring the mixture to a low simmer, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan to incorporate the flavor. Continue to simmer, uncovered, for 15 minutes to allow the sauce to reduce and deepen in flavor.
- Step 4: Carefully transfer the sauce mixture to a blender or use an immersion blender to process until the sauce is completely smooth and velvety. Return the blended sauce to the skillet.
- Step 5: Stir the heavy cream into the smooth sauce until fully combined. Add the reserved seared chicken pieces back into the sauce. Heat gently for 5-7 minutes until the chicken is heated through and the sauce has thickened slightly. Serve hot, garnished with fresh cilantro if desired.
Notes
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days; the spices actually deepen overnight, making the second day even better.
- To prevent the creamy sauce from separating, reheat slowly in a saucepan over low heat, adding a splash of fresh cream or milk if the sauce seems too thick.
- Serve this rich butter chicken over warm Basmati rice or alongside fresh, fluffy naan bread to soak up every drop of the luxurious sauce.
- Ensure you fully blend the sauce mixture in Step 4—a smooth, velvety puree is the secret to achieving that signature luxurious texture.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1.5 cups (Chicken and Sauce)
- Calories: 650
- Sodium: 620mg
- Fat: 40g
- Saturated Fat: 21g
- Trans Fat: 0.5g
- Protein: 8g