Indian-inspired · curry
Easy Skillet Butter Chicken
Tender chicken simmers in a warmly spiced tomato-cream sauce finished with butter and fresh cilantro.
Total time40 min
Hands-on25 min
Cleanuplow
Serves4
Cook
Make dinner
- 01
Season the chicken with garam masala and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Melt 1 tablespoon butter in a deep skillet and brown the chicken for 6 minutes; transfer to a plate.
- 02
Cook the onion in the skillet for 5 minutes. Add garlic and ginger for 30 seconds, then stir in tomato sauce and 1/2 cup water.
- 03
Return the chicken and simmer until it reaches 165°F, 10 to 12 minutes.
- 04
Stir in cream and remaining butter. Simmer for 2 minutes and finish with cilantro.
Make it work
Useful swaps
- Full-fat coconut milk can replace the cream and butter.
- Chicken breast works; begin checking for doneness after 7 minutes.
Why this is a good weeknight call
It keeps the cleanup to one main pan. The ingredient list stays focused, and the recipe has a clear stopping point instead of extra optional projects.
