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Meat, South and Southeast Asian

Butter chicken with naan

Butter chicken is chicken marinated in yogurt, then simmered in a buttery tomato cream sauce and served with warm naan. This recipe serves 4, takes 55 minutes, is rated easy, and costs €3.20 per serving. The key to success is marinating the chicken well and keeping the sauce smooth, adding the cream off the heat.

Tonight it's the comfort of North India, a butter chicken in its silky buttery tomato sauce, with warm naan on the side.

Butter chicken with naan
Total time
55 min
Difficulty
Easy
Cost per person
€3.20
Calories per person
700 kcalcalculated by Kiloach, your weight coach
Season
Winter, Fall, Spring
The kids
They generally like it

The sauce in a butter chicken is rich and slightly sweet from the tomatoes and sugar, gently spiced with garam masala, paprika, and cumin rather than hot. Chicken marinated in yogurt stays tender even after a quick sear in the pan, and the lightly charred edges bring a grilled flavor close to what you'd get from a tandoor oven, without needing one.

It's a great weeknight dinner when you want something comforting without spending hours in the kitchen, but it also works well for friends who enjoy trying new flavors. Kids usually like it too, the sauce is mild and naan is perfect for scooping up every last bit.

The ingredients

4 people

Butcher

  • Chicken breasts 700 g

Dairy

  • Plain yogurt 125 g
  • Butter 40 g
  • Heavy cream 20 ml

Fruits and vegetables

  • Onion 1
  • Garlic 3 cloves
  • Fresh ginger 20 g

Pantry

  • Crushed tomatoes 400 g
  • Garam masalaoften in the pantry 2 tsp
  • Sweet paprikaoften in the pantry 1 tsp
  • Cuminoften in the pantry 1 tsp
  • Sugaroften in the pantry 1 tsp
  • Saltoften in the pantry 1 tsp

Bakery

  • Naan bread 4

Allergens Lactose, Gluten

The step by step recipe

  1. Cut the chicken into cubes and mix it with the yogurt, half of the spices, grated ginger, and a little salt. Let it marinate. 20 min

    The longer it marinates the better, overnight if you can.

  2. Sear the marinated chicken in a pan with a knob of butter, or broil it in the oven, until lightly charred. 10 min

    The small charred spots give that tandoor flavor.

  3. In a saucepan, melt the butter, sauté the onion and garlic, add the remaining spices, then the tomatoes. Let it simmer. 15 min

    Blend the sauce until perfectly smooth.

  4. Add the chicken and cream, let it simmer gently. 10 min

    Don't let it boil after adding the cream, it may split.

  5. Warm the naan in the oven or in a pan and serve. 3 min

    Brush them with a bit of melted butter for extra softness.

Our tips to get it right

  • Grate the ginger instead of chopping it, it blends into the marinade more evenly and releases more flavor.
  • If you have time, broil the chicken in the oven instead of pan searing it, the edges caramelize more deeply.
  • Taste the sauce before adding the cream and adjust the salt or sugar then, it's easier to fix at that stage.

The variations

  • Swap the chicken for seared paneer or firm tofu for a vegetarian version that's just as creamy.
  • For a quicker version, skip the long marinade and just let the chicken sit in the yogurt while you make the sauce.
  • For sensitive kids, cut the paprika in half and keep the garam masala, the sauce stays flavorful without any heat.

What to serve it with

  • Plain basmati rice
  • Cucumber raita
  • Warm chai tea

Storage

Butter chicken keeps 2 to 3 days in the fridge in a sealed container. It freezes well, without the naan, for up to 2 months. Reheat gently in a saucepan over low heat so the sauce doesn't split.

Questions about this dish

Can you use heavy cream instead of liquid cream?

Yes, heavy cream works too, just add it off the heat and stir gently to keep the sauce smooth. The texture will be a bit richer than with liquid cream.

Can you make butter chicken ahead of time?

Yes, it's actually even better the next day. Prepare everything up to the point of adding the cream, then finish cooking just before serving.

What type of yogurt should you use for the marinade?

Full fat plain yogurt, like Greek yogurt, tenderizes the chicken well. Avoid flavored or sweetened yogurt, it would change the taste of the sauce.

Can this recipe be made gluten free?

The chicken and sauce are naturally gluten free, only the naan contains gluten. Serve it with rice or gluten free naan instead if needed.

How long does it take to make a butter chicken, chicken in a buttery tomato and cream sauce, with naan bread?

Count 55 min in total, prep and cooking included. The recipe is rated “easy”.

How many calories are in a butter chicken, chicken in a buttery tomato and cream sauce, with naan bread?

About 700 kcal per serving, for a recipe meant for 4 people. Calories are calculated by Kiloach, your weight coach, the app that partners with Mon Chou.

How much does a butter chicken, chicken in a buttery tomato and cream sauce, with naan bread cost?

About €3.20 per serving, or €12.80 for 4 people, based on average supermarket prices.

What allergens does this recipe contain?

This recipe contains lactose, gluten. Always check the labels of the products you buy.

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