If you like creamy, tomato-y, slightly indulgent dinners that make your house smell like you Actually Know How to Cook, this Delish Creamy Indian Butter Chicken Recipes is your new Friday night flex. It’s butter chicken: tender chicken in a sauce that somehow makes you forgive yourself for using too much butter. It’s rich, cozy, and unapologetically luxurious — but also forgiving when you forget to chop onions finely and toss in half the kitchen instead.

Once, I handed my husband the spice jar labeled “chili” and he bravely sprinkled what he thought was paprika over the simmering pot. Five minutes later the kids were drinking milk from the dog bowl and I was Googling “does your face swell from spice?” Spoiler: he survived, the butter saved us all, and now he’s not allowed near the spice drawer without supervision. Also: yes, I cry over burnt garlic. No, I don’t regret it.

WANT TO SAVE THIS RECIPE?

Just drop your email here and I'll send it right away! Plus you'll get new recipes every week. Yes please!

🍗

MORE OF OUR FAVORITE…

Why You’ll Love This Delish Creamy Indian Butter Chicken Recipes

– It tastes fancy but doesn’t require a culinary degree or a shrine to saffron.
– The sauce makes rice, naan, and shame all disappear. Trust me — it’s magic.
– Forgiving recipe: overcooked chicken? Sauce covers many sins. Undercooked? Do not try this at home.
– Good for dinner guests, date night, or bribing your kids to do homework with promises of naan.

Time-Saving Hacks

– Use a store-bought rotisserie chicken and shred it instead of marinating and grilling. Yes, I said it — rotisserie is not cheating, it’s smart.
– One-pan life: Brown the chicken and build the sauce in the same pan. Fewer dishes, more time for snacks.
– Buy jarred garam masala or curry paste when you’re in a hurry. Your taste buds won’t tell, and your schedule will thank you.
– Swap slow-simmering for a pressure cooker if you’re speed-cooking; same deliciousness, faster humility.

Serving Ideas

– Serve it over basmati rice with a stack of warm naan so people can pretend they’re fancy.
– Garnish with cilantro and a squirt of lemon to trick everyone into thinking it’s healthy.
– Pair with a chilled Riesling if the kids drove you nuts today — it mellows the spice and your mood.
– For the kids: mild sauce, extra yogurt on the side, and bribe them with mango chutney if they’re being dramatic.

What to Serve It With

Think simple: steamed basmati rice, buttery naan, and a crunchy cucumber-mint raita to cool things off. If you want to impress without effort, add a green salad and call it a balanced meal.

Tips & Mistakes

– Don’t let the tomato base stick and burn — stir frequently and keep the heat honest. I learned this the hard (and smoky) way.
– If your cream splits, whisk in a spoonful of warm sauce gradually — slow and steady un-splits the world.
– Over-salting is real: start small and taste often. You can always add, can’t subtract (unless you’re into extreme dilution).
– If the chicken goes dry, shred it and toss in the sauce — problem solved and nobody blames anyone.

Storage Tips

Store it in the fridge… if there’s any left. Cold midnight leftovers? Sometimes better than fresh. Reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave with a splash of water or cream to revive the sauce.

Variations and Substitutions

Swap whatever you want—sugar ↔ honey, soy sauce ↔ tamari, or skip steps and call it “deconstructed.” It still counts. Try paneer for a vegetarian twist, coconut milk for dairy-free decadence, or tofu for a weeknight pivot. Want more heat? Add chilies. Want milder? Double the cream and lie to your spice haters.

Frequently Asked Questions

I can’t have gluten… will this still work?

Yep. Use tamari or coconut aminos. You’ll survive and still brag about it online.

Do I have to peel the pineapple first?

Unless you enjoy chewing bark… yes, peel it. Your teeth will thank you.

Can I use canned pineapple instead of fresh?

Sure. Just drain it well or enjoy syrup soup. Still tasty, though.

How sweet is this? Can I tone it down?

Absolutely. Cut the sugar—or don’t, and embrace the sugar rush.

What if I skip the sesame oil?

Then you’ll miss the nutty vibe, but relax—it’s still food. You’ll live.

Remember it later

Planning to try this recipe soon? Pin it for a quick find later!