Butter chicken, also called murgh makhani, is a mild Indian curry made with marinated chicken in a rich tomato-and-cream sauce. This Shah Foods recipe uses our restaurant-tested seasoning blend to make a generous family meal with the flavour served at GM Restaurant in Maple Ridge, British Columbia.

Butter chicken ingredients

• 1 kg boneless chicken, cut into bite-size pieces
• 1 package Shah Foods Butter Chicken Seasoning
• 1/2 cup plain yogurt
• 100 ml vegetable oil
• 6 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 yellow onion, diced
• 1 teaspoon fresh ginger, minced
• 340 ml crushed tomatoes, or 4 large tomatoes diced
• 1 cup water
• 1/2 cup heavy cream

How to make restaurant-style butter chicken

1. Combine the chicken with the yogurt and half the package of Shah Foods Butter Chicken Seasoning. Cover and refrigerate for 4 to 6 hours.
2. Heat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Arrange the marinated chicken on a baking sheet and bake for 20 minutes.
3. Warm the oil in a large pan over medium-high heat for 1 to 2 minutes. Add the garlic, onion and ginger. Cook for 3 to 5 minutes, until browned and aromatic.
4. Add the remaining seasoning and the tomatoes. Stir well and reduce the heat to a low simmer.
5. Add the baked chicken and water. Bring the curry to a boil, then reduce to a simmer, cover and cook for 20 minutes.
6. Stir in the cream and simmer for another 5 minutes. Serve with basmati rice or warm naan.

How to thicken butter chicken sauce

The sauce may look thin when it is first cooked. For a thicker, restaurant-style texture, let the curry cool and reheat it gently. You can also simmer it uncovered for a few extra minutes before adding the cream.

Adjusting the heat and ingredients

Shah Foods Butter Chicken Seasoning is blended mild so you control the spice level. Add chopped green or red chillies with the onion for more heat. For a dairy-free version, use unsweetened plant-based yogurt and full-fat coconut milk. The dry seasoning blend is plant-based, so it can also be used with paneer, chickpeas, tofu or vegetables.

Common butter chicken questions

What is the difference between butter chicken and chicken tikka masala?

Both are tomato-based chicken curries. Butter chicken is usually milder, creamier and more buttery, while chicken tikka masala is often more tomato-forward and more strongly spiced.

Can I make butter chicken ahead?

Yes. Butter chicken reheats well, and resting gives the sauce time to thicken. Cool it promptly, refrigerate it in a sealed container and reheat gently until hot throughout.

Is Shah Foods Butter Chicken Seasoning gluten-free?

Yes. The seasoning is gluten-free, dairy-free, low in sodium and made without added MSG. Dairy is added only when you prepare the recipe, so substitutions are easy.

Explore our Indian spice blends for tandoori chicken, curry, lentil daal, aloo gobi and more.