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Creamy Butter Chicken

Recipe by Nicolina Nunes on InstagramAdded 1 August 2026.

15 minutes to prep, 30 to cook. A rich, velvety butter chicken that blends aromatic Indian spices with Greek yogurt, cashews, and light cream for a silky sauce. Perfect for a comforting dinner served with warm naan.

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Creamy Butter Chicken by Nicolina Nunes, a frame from the Instagram video

Method

  1. 1. Heat a large skillet over medium heat (about 350°F/350°F) and melt the butter.

  2. 2. Add the diced onion and sauté, stirring occasionally, until it becomes translucent, about 5 minutes.

    Kitchen notes · Added by ReelsMeals: The onion is translucent. Stir occasionally so it softens evenly.

  3. 3. Stir in the minced garlic and grated ginger; cook for an additional 2 minutes until fragrant.

  4. 4. Increase the heat to medium‑high and add the bite‑size chicken pieces; brown them on all sides, about 4–5 minutes.

    Kitchen notes · Added by ReelsMeals: The chicken is browned on all sides. Turn the pieces to brown each side.

  5. 5. Sprinkle the garam masala, cinnamon, turmeric, cumin, and chili powder over the chicken; stir well to coat evenly.

  6. 6. Pour in the tomato sauce and light cream, reduce the heat to low, and let the mixture simmer gently for 15 minutes, uncovered, stirring occasionally.

    Kitchen notes · Added by ReelsMeals: The sauce simmers gently. Stir occasionally while it simmers.

  7. 7. While the sauce simmers, optionally toast the cashews in a dry pan for 2 minutes to enhance flavor, then set aside.

  8. 8. After simmering, fold in the Greek yogurt and toasted cashews; stir until the sauce is smooth and creamy, taking care not to let it boil.

    Kitchen notes · Added by ReelsMeals: The sauce is smooth and creamy. Fold in the yoghurt without letting the sauce boil.

  9. 9. Taste and season with salt and pepper (or other seasonings) to preference.

  10. 10. Remove the skillet from heat and garnish with chopped parsley.

  11. 11. Warm the naan in a preheated oven at 350°F (350°F) for 3–4 minutes or on a skillet for 1 minute per side.

  12. 12. Serve the creamy butter chicken hot, alongside the warm naan, and enjoy.

Tips while you cook

Toast cashews first
Dry‑toast the cashews for 2 minutes before folding them in.
Add yogurt off the heat
Fold in the Greek yogurt after simmering and keep the skillet off direct heat to prevent boiling.
Stir during simmer
Stir the sauce occasionally while it simmers for 15 minutes.

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

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Nicolina Nunes made this.

The recipe comes from Nicolina Nunes’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 Nicolina Nunes 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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