Hawaiian Chicken Sheet Pan Dinner Recipe

Welcome to a true dinner delight: the Quick & Easy Homemade Butter Chicken Recipe. This creamy, vibrant, and utterly satisfying classic brings the unbeatable flavors of Indian cuisine right into your kitchen, minus the hours of preparation. Whether you’re cooking for a weeknight meal or impressing friends on the weekend, this buttery, aromatic dish is heartwarming and surprisingly uncomplicated, with every spoonful promising bold flavor and silky texture. Discover why this family favorite is a must-add to your recipe roster!

this Recipe

Ingredients You’ll Need

The beauty of the Quick & Easy Homemade Butter Chicken Recipe lies in its straightforward ingredients—each one is handpicked to enhance that iconic velvety sauce and luscious, juicy chicken. Let’s walk through what you need and why it matters:

• Chicken thighs: Opt for boneless, skinless thighs for the juiciest, most flavorful bites that hold up perfectly in the sauce.
• Greek yogurt: Tenderizes the chicken while lending a subtle tang that balances out the richness of the butter sauce.
• Ginger-garlic paste: Provides essential heat and aromatic depth, making the base of your marinade shine.
• Garam masala: This fragrant spice blend infuses every bite with warmth and characteristic Indian flavor.
• Ground cumin: Adds earthiness that pairs beautifully with the creamy sauce and other spices.
• Chili powder: Choose a mild or hot version depending on your heat preference to give the sauce a gentle kick.
• Salt: Enhances overall flavor—don’t be afraid to season generously.
• Unsalted butter: The star of the show, delivering that luxurious texture and unmistakable flavor.
• Onion: Caramelizes to create a sweet, mellow background for the bright notes of tomato.
• Tomato puree: Provides the sauce’s vivid color and a balance between sweetness and tang.
• Heavy cream: Swirled in at the end for the smoothest, silkiest finish to your curry.
• Fresh cilantro: Brightens with a pop of green and a fresh herbal note right before serving.

How to Make Quick & Easy Homemade Butter Chicken Recipe

Step 1: Marinate the Chicken

Combine your chicken thighs with Greek yogurt, ginger-garlic paste, garam masala, cumin, chili powder, and salt in a large bowl. Make sure every piece is coated. Cover and let it rest—if you have 30 minutes to spare, the flavors deepen, but even a quick 10 minutes works wonders if you’re short on time. This step is your shortcut to deeply flavored, super-tender chicken.

Step 2: Sear the Chicken

Melt half the butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the marinated chicken in a single layer and cook until golden on both sides and nearly cooked through, about 4–5 minutes per side. Remove the chicken and set it aside—don’t wipe out the pan, since all those bits stuck to the bottom will enrich your sauce.

Step 3: Make the Sauce

To the same pan, toss in the rest of the butter and the chopped onion. Sauté until the onion is golden and soft, scraping up any flavorful bits as you go. Stir in tomato puree, spices, and a splash more chili powder if you want extra heat. Let this mixture simmer for a few minutes so the flavors can meld and the sauce thickens.

Step 4: Blend for Creaminess

For the ultimate smooth butter chicken sauce, carefully transfer your onion-tomato mixture to a blender and blend until silky. Pour it back into the skillet—this step is optional but makes all the difference if you want restaurant-style results.

Step 5: Finish and Serve

Add the seared chicken back to your luscious sauce and let everything simmer together for another 8–10 minutes, until the chicken is cooked through and infused with flavor. Stir in the heavy cream, taste for salt (add a bit if needed), and top with fresh cilantro. Your Quick & Easy Homemade Butter Chicken Recipe is ready to steal the show!

How to Serve Quick & Easy Homemade Butter Chicken Recipe

Garnishes

A handful of fresh cilantro leaves, a drizzle of extra cream, and a scattering of sliced green chilies can completely elevate your butter chicken. These garnishes not only add eye-catching color but also bring fresh, vibrant flavor to contrast the richness of the sauce.

Side Dishes

For the full Quick & Easy Homemade Butter Chicken Recipe experience, serve it piping hot with fluffy basmati rice, pillowy naan, or even jeera rice for an aromatic twist. If you want something fresh on the side, cucumber raita or a crisp Indian salad work beautifully to cool things down and create a balanced meal.

Creative Ways to Present

Butter chicken isn’t just for sit-down dinners! Try spooning it into warm wraps with shredded lettuce, or serve it as a show-stopping centerpiece over a bed of vibrant saffron rice. For a casual gathering, serve it in mini bowls with mini naan for an interactive, party-friendly experience.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Leftovers of the Quick & Easy Homemade Butter Chicken Recipe keep like a dream in an airtight container. The flavors deepen overnight in the fridge, making tomorrow’s lunch or dinner an absolute treat. It will stay delicious for up to 4 days.

Freezing

Butter chicken is freezer-friendly—simply let it cool, then transfer to a freezer-safe container. It can be frozen for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating for the best texture and flavor.

Reheating

To reheat, gently warm the butter chicken on the stovetop over low heat, adding a splash of cream or water if the sauce has thickened too much. You can also zap it in the microwave in short bursts, stirring in between. The dish stays luscious and creamy even after reheating.

FAQs

Can I use chicken breast instead of thighs?

Yes, you can substitute chicken breast for thighs if you prefer a leaner cut. Just be mindful not to overcook it, since breast tends to dry out faster than thighs in the sauce.

Is this recipe spicy?

The Quick & Easy Homemade Butter Chicken Recipe is naturally mild, but you can easily adjust the spice to suit your palate by tweaking the amount of chili powder or adding fresh chilies as a garnish.

What if I don’t have heavy cream?

If you don’t have heavy cream on hand, a splash of half-and-half or full-fat coconut milk works well. The result will be a slightly lighter but still creamy sauce.

Can this be made dairy-free?

Absolutely! Replace the yogurt with unsweetened coconut yogurt, swap the butter for a vegan version or coconut oil, and use coconut cream for a dairy-free take on the Quick & Easy Homemade Butter Chicken Recipe.

Do I really need to blend the sauce?

Blending is optional but highly recommended for that silky, restaurant-style consistency. If you skip it, your sauce will be a bit chunkier but still delicious. Use an immersion blender for less mess.

Final Thoughts

There’s nothing quite like proudly serving a comforting, flavor-packed dish that everyone in the family raves about, and this Quick & Easy Homemade Butter Chicken Recipe fits the bill every time. Don’t just take my word for it—gather your ingredients and give it a go tonight! You’ll fall in love with just how simple, delicious, and satisfying homemade butter chicken can be.

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