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Butter Chicken Skillet: Easy One-Pan Recipe for a Delicious Meal Recipe

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This Butter Chicken Skillet recipe is a simple and flavorful one-pan dish perfect for an effortless weeknight meal. Tender chicken thighs are seared and simmered in a rich, creamy tomato-based sauce infused with aromatic spices like garam masala, turmeric, and cumin. The sauce is enriched with heavy cream, yogurt, and butter, creating a luscious and comforting dish served best with rice or naan bread.

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken and Seasoning

  • 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into 1-inch pieces
  • Salt and pepper to taste

For Cooking

  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 large onion, finely chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 inch ginger, grated
  • 1 jalapeño, seeded and minced (optional)

Sauce Ingredients

  • 1 (14.5 oz) can crushed tomatoes
  • 1 (15 oz) can tomato sauce
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1/2 cup plain yogurt (at room temperature)
  • 2 tbsp butter
  • 1 tbsp garam masala
  • 1 tsp turmeric powder
  • 1 tsp cumin powder
  • 1/2 tsp chili powder (or more, to taste)
  • 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper (optional)

Garnish and Serving

  • 1/4 cup chopped cilantro, for garnish
  • Cooked rice or naan bread, for serving

Instructions

  1. Prepare Chicken: Pat the chicken pieces dry using paper towels and season them generously with salt and pepper to enhance flavor and searing.
  2. Sear Chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken in a single layer, working in batches if necessary, and sear each side for 3-4 minutes until nicely browned. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
  3. Sauté Aromatics: Reduce heat to medium. Add the finely chopped onion to the skillet and cook, stirring occasionally, until it becomes softened and translucent, about 5-7 minutes, while scraping up any browned bits from the pan for extra flavor.
  4. Add Garlic, Ginger, and Jalapeño: Stir in the minced garlic, grated ginger, and if using, the minced jalapeño. Cook for about one minute until fragrant, allowing the spices to bloom in the oil.
  5. Make the Sauce: Pour in the crushed tomatoes and tomato sauce, then add the garam masala, turmeric, cumin, chili powder, and optional cayenne pepper. Stir everything well to combine and build the rich spiced base.
  6. Simmer Sauce: Bring the sauce mixture to a gentle simmer. Reduce the heat to low, cover the skillet, and let it simmer for 15 to 20 minutes, stirring occasionally so the flavors meld beautifully.
  7. Add Cream and Yogurt: Stir in the heavy cream and room temperature yogurt carefully to ensure the sauce becomes smooth and creamy without curdling.
  8. Add Butter: Add the butter to the sauce and stir until it fully melts and incorporates, enriching the sauce with its silky texture.
  9. Season: Taste the sauce and adjust salt and pepper or spices as needed to suit your preference.
  10. Combine Chicken and Sauce: Return the seared chicken pieces into the skillet with the sauce. Stir gently to coat all chicken pieces evenly with the flavorful sauce.
  11. Simmer Together: Cover the skillet and simmer for another 10-15 minutes until the chicken is cooked through and tender, reaching an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). If the sauce thickens too much, add a splash of water or chicken broth to loosen it to your desired consistency.
  12. Garnish and Serve: Remove the skillet from heat. Garnish with freshly chopped cilantro and serve hot over steamed rice or alongside warm naan bread for a complete comforting meal.

Notes

  • Ensure the yogurt is at room temperature before adding to prevent curdling in the sauce.
  • Jalapeño is optional and can be omitted for less heat or adjusted according to preference.
  • Searing the chicken in batches helps maintain a good crust and prevents overcrowding the pan.
  • Use boneless, skinless chicken thighs for the best tenderness and flavor absorption.
  • You can add a splash of chicken broth if the sauce becomes too thick during simmering.
  • Serve immediately after cooking for best taste and texture.

Keywords: Butter chicken, Indian butter chicken skillet, easy Indian recipes, one-pan chicken recipe, creamy chicken curry, garam masala chicken

Find it online: https://dinewithdylan.com/butter-chicken-skillet-easy-one-pan-recipe-for-a-delicious-meal-recipe/