One-Bowl Butter Chicken Recipe | The Easiest 30-Minute Dinner

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Are you craving restaurant-style butter chicken but hate doing dishes? This one-bowl butter chicken recipe is your answer.

Forget marinating overnight or using 5 different pans. We make the entire creamy, flavorful curry in just one bowl and one pan. Ready in 30 minutes.

Why This One-Bowl Method Works:
Traditional butter chicken takes hours. My version uses Greek yogurt for a quick 15-minute marinade that tenderizes the chicken fast. We also cook everything in one pan to build flavor and save you from washing up.

Step-by-Step Instructions:

  1. Marinate in The Bowl: In one large bowl, mix chicken, yogurt, garam masala, turmeric, and salt. Let it sit for 15 minutes while you prep other ingredients. This is your only bowl.
  2. Sear the Chicken: Melt 1 tbsp butter in a large pan over medium-high heat. Add chicken and cook for 5 minutes until golden. Remove chicken and set it aside in the same bowl you used.
  3. Build the Sauce in The Same Pan: In the same pan, melt 2 tbsp butter. Add onion and cook 4 minutes. Add garlic and ginger, cook 1 minute. Stir in crushed tomatoes and sugar. Simmer 10 minutes.
  4. Finish: Blend the sauce with an immersion blender until smooth. Stir in heavy cream and the cooked chicken. Simmer 5 minutes. Garnish with cilantro.

Serve hot with basmati rice or naan bread. One bowl, one pan, zero stress.

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Ingredients Method

Ingredients
  

  • For the Chicken:
  • – 1.5 lbs boneless chicken thighs cut into 1-inch pieces
  • – 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt
  • – 1 tbsp garam masala
  • – 1 tsp turmeric
  • – 1 tsp salt
  • For the Sauce:
  • – 3 tbsp butter
  • – 1 large onion finely diced
  • – 4 cloves garlic minced
  • – 1 tbsp ginger grated
  • – 1 can 14oz crushed tomatoes
  • – 1 cup heavy cream
  • – 1 tsp sugar
  • – 1/2 cup cilantro for garnish

Method
 

  1. **Marinate in The Bowl:** In one large bowl, mix chicken, yogurt, garam masala, turmeric, and salt. Let it sit for 15 minutes while you prep other ingredients. This is your only bowl.
  2. **Sear the Chicken:** Melt 1 tbsp butter in a large pan over medium-high heat. Add chicken and cook for 5 minutes until golden. Remove chicken and set it aside in the same bowl you used.
  3. **Build the Sauce in The Same Pan:** In the same pan, melt 2 tbsp butter. Add onion and cook 4 minutes. Add garlic and ginger, cook 1 minute. Stir in crushed tomatoes and sugar. Simmer 10 minutes.
  4. **Finish:** Blend the sauce with an immersion blender until smooth. Stir in heavy cream and the cooked chicken. Simmer 5 minutes. Garnish with cilantro.
  5. Serve hot with basmati rice or naan bread. One bowl, one pan, zero stress.

Pro Tip for Extra Traffic: Pin this recipe! All my readers love saving easy dinner ideas for busy weeknights.

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