Description
Craving a comforting dinner with big flavor? This Homemade Butter Chicken With Coconut Milk brings together juicy chicken, a silky tomato-coconut sauce, and just the right amount of warm spice. It’s easy, dairy-free, and ready in under an hour—perfect for a quick dinner, meal prep, or when you want new dinner ideas with an Indian twist. Try this easy recipe tonight and enjoy an unforgettable homemade meal!
Ingredients
500g (about 1 lb) chicken breast or thighs, cut into bite-size pieces
400ml (1 can) full-fat coconut milk
1 cup tomato puree
1 medium onion, finely chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon fresh ginger, minced
1 1/2 teaspoons garam masala
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon ground coriander
1/2 teaspoon turmeric
1/2 to 1 teaspoon chili powder or cayenne, to taste
2 tablespoons butter or vegan butter
1/2 teaspoon salt, plus more to taste
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
2 tablespoons fresh cilantro, chopped, for garnish
Instructions
1. In a bowl, combine chicken with 1/2 teaspoon garam masala, turmeric, salt, and pepper. Marinate for at least 20 minutes or overnight for best flavor.
2. Heat 1 tablespoon butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sear the chicken until golden brown, about 3-4 minutes per side. Remove chicken and set aside.
3. In the same skillet, add the remaining butter and the onion. Sauté until soft, about 5 minutes. Add garlic and ginger, cooking until fragrant.
4. Stir in cumin, coriander, chili powder, and the rest of the garam masala. Cook for 1 minute.
5. Pour in the tomato puree, simmer for 5-7 minutes until the sauce thickens and deepens in color.
6. Return chicken to the skillet. Pour in coconut milk, stir well, and simmer uncovered for 10-15 minutes, until chicken is cooked through and sauce is creamy.
7. Taste and adjust salt or heat as needed. Sprinkle with chopped cilantro and serve hot with rice or naan.
Notes
For best results, marinate the chicken as long as possible—overnight is ideal for maximum flavor.
Use full-fat coconut milk for the richest, creamiest sauce; light coconut milk will result in a thinner curry.
Adjust spice level by increasing or decreasing the chili powder to your liking.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Indian-inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 of recipe
- Calories: 390
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 480mg
- Fat: 25g
- Saturated Fat: 16g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 11g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 32g
- Cholesterol: 95mg
Keywords: easy dinner, homemade curry, butter chicken, dairy-free, quick dinner, healthy dinner, easy recipe, meal prep, chicken recipes