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Butter Chicken

Recipe by Amandeep Sharma on InstagramAdded 1 August 2026.

10 minutes to prep, 20 to cook. A creamy, aromatic butter chicken that blends tender chicken with a rich tomato‑based sauce, finished with a splash of heavy cream. The dish balances mild spices with a subtle heat, making it a comforting family favorite.

See all 6 versions of butter chicken, compared

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Butter Chicken by Amandeep Sharma, a frame from the Instagram video

Method

  1. Heat a large skillet over medium‑high heat.

  2. Add the oil or butter, then add the diced onion and sauté for 3–4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the onion softens and begins to turn golden.

    Kitchen notes · Added by ReelsMeals: The onion softens and begins to turn golden. Stir so it colors evenly across the pan.

  3. Stir in the minced ginger and garlic; cook for about 30 seconds, just until fragrant.

    Kitchen notes · Added by ReelsMeals: The ginger and garlic smell fragrant without browning. Keep this step brief before adding the chicken.

  4. Add the chicken chunks to the pan and brown them for 2–3 minutes.

  5. Mix in the tomato paste, garam masala, chili powder (or paprika), ground cumin, ground fenugreek, salt, and black pepper; stir well to coat the chicken.

  6. Continue cooking for another 5–6 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the chicken is no longer pink.

    Kitchen notes · Added by ReelsMeals: The chicken is opaque through the center. Check a larger chunk before adding the cream.

  7. Reduce the heat to medium‑low and pour in the heavy cream, stirring to combine.

  8. Simmer the sauce for 8–10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it thickens and coats the chicken.

    Kitchen notes · Added by ReelsMeals: The sauce thickens and clings to the chicken pieces. Stir occasionally to keep the cream sauce smooth.

  9. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed, then remove from heat.

  10. Serve the butter chicken hot with steamed rice or warm naan, optionally garnished with fresh cilantro.

Tips while you cook

Sauté onion before adding aromatics
Cook the diced onion 3–4 minutes until softened and golden before stirring in ginger and garlic.
Brown chicken briefly
Add chicken chunks and brown for 2–3 minutes to develop color before mixing in spices.
Add cream after reducing heat
Lower to medium‑low, pour in heavy cream, then simmer 8–10 minutes for a thick sauce.

Notes from ReelsMeals, based on this recipe's ingredients, times and method. They are not the creator's instructions.

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Amandeep Sharma made this.

The recipe comes from Amandeep Sharma’s Instagram reel. ReelsMeals wrote it down from the caption and the voiceover. Check the original if something looks off, and for anything about allergens.

Are you Amandeep Sharma and want this changed? Email [email protected].

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Butter chicken, 6 ways

Six creators posted their own. Every one is built on chicken, garlic, tomatoes and cream.

  1. Swadish1 hr 15 min29 ingr.Only this one uses turmeric powder, kashmiri chilli powder and kasuri methi
  2. Amandeep Sharma30 min14 ingr.Only this one uses ground fenugreek and rice
  3. World’s First Public Superhero45 min14 ingr.Only this one uses self-raising flour
  4. Nicolina Nunes45 min17 ingr.Only this one uses cinnamon and naan
  5. Gordon Ramsay30 min24 ingr.Only this one uses cayenne pepper, red onion and cardamom seeds
  6. Donal Skehan6 hr 30 min39 ingr.Only this one uses bird's-eye chilies, fenugreek seeds and kashmiri chili powder
Compare all 6 side by side

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