This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.

Craving for a cozy and delightful meal? Look no further than this single serving Butter Chicken recipe. It’s perfect for those nights when you want something delicious and satisfying, without the hassle of cooking a large batch.

This recipe brings the rich flavors of traditional Butter Chicken right to your kitchen. Ideal for both beginners and seasoned cooks, our single serving recipe simplifies the process without compromising on taste.

If you enjoy our simple Butter Chicken recipe, be sure to try our Chicken Tikka Masala and Saag Paneer recipes as well – you’ll love them!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

  1. Effortlessly Quick: This recipe turns the idea of takeout on its head. With just 30 minutes of cooking time, you can whip up a Butter Chicken dish that’s even better than what you’d pick up on your way home. Perfect for when you’re craving a speedy, yet home-cooked meal.
  2. Richly Flavorful: Experience the deep, vibrant flavors of our Butter Chicken. The secret lies in gently sautéing onions and garlic in butter, followed by a blend of fragrant spices like cumin, ginger, and cinnamon. The chicken, marinated in a mix of sour cream or yogurt with garam masala, cumin, turmeric, and lemon juice, is tenderized and infused with flavor. Simmered in tomato sauce and finished with a splash of cream, this dish boasts a luxuriously creamy texture.
  3. Simple Ingredients, Big Flavor: Don’t worry about authenticity; focus on the incredible taste. This Butter Chicken recipe offers a fantastic, spice-filled meal without needing a long list of hard-to-find ingredients. It’s all about making a delightful dinner with readily available ingredients.
  4. Easily Scalable: Cooking for two? Simply double the ingredients of this single serving recipe. It’s perfectly adaptable for a dinner date or a small gathering, ensuring no one misses out on this incredibly delicious dish.

What Is Butter Chicken

Butter Chicken, also known as Murgh Makhani, is a classic Indian dish. It’s known for its creamy tomato sauce, infused with aromatic spices and tender pieces of chicken. Originating in the kitchens of Delhi, India, this dish has become a global favorite, cherished for its rich, satisfying flavors and the warm, comforting experience it offers at every meal.

RELATED: Comfort Food Recipes For One

Ingredients

butter chicken ingredients on a wooden cutting board in a kitchen.

Marinade Ingredients For Butter Chicken

  • Chicken: Choose a 4 to 6-ounce boneless, skinless chicken breast, though thighs are great too. Leftover grilled or baked chicken can be used as well.
  • Sour Cream or Greek Yogurt: Either works well for the marinade.
  • Lemon Juice: Freshly squeezed is preferred for zest, but bottled is fine.
  • Spices: Essential spices include turmeric, ground cumin, and Garam masala, which is available in most supermarkets’ spice aisles.

Butter Chicken Sauce Ingredients

  • Butter: Salted butter is ideal for both sautéing onions, garlic, and cooking the marinated chicken.
  • Vegetables: Finely chopped onions and garlic.
  • Spices and Seasonings: The dish’s depth comes from ground cumin, ginger, cinnamon, and salt.
  • Tomato Sauce: Choose a favorite jarred or homemade tomato sauce.
  • Heavy Cream or Whipping Cream: This adds a luxurious richness to the sauce.

Serve this Butter Chicken with cooked rice for a complete meal.

Recipe Variations

  • Vegetarian Masala: Swap chicken with cubed tofu, garbanzo beans, chickpeas, or kidney beans for a delightful vegetarian twist.
  • Dairy-Free Chicken Masala: For a dairy-free version, replace heavy cream with canned coconut milk and use a vegan butter substitute in place of regular butter.
  • Low Carb Butter Chicken: Serve the delicious chicken and sauce over cauliflower rice to enjoy a low-carb alternative.
Send Me the Recipe!
Never lose this recipe! Get it in your inbox now. Plus, get weekly recipes for delicious single serving meals – all for free.

How To Make Butter Chicken For One

These step-by-step photos and instructions help you visualize how to make a small batch of Butter Chicken. See the recipe box below for ingredient amounts and full recipe instructions.

  1. Prepare the Marinade: In a medium-sized bowl, combine sour cream, lemon juice, turmeric, garam masala, and cumin. Cut the chicken breast into 1-inch cubes and add them to the bowl, ensuring each piece is thoroughly coated with the marinade. Cover and let it rest in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes.
butter chicken marinade in a bowl.
  1. Cook the Onions for Sauce: Heat 1 tablespoon of butter in a medium skillet over medium-high heat. Sauté the onions for about 3 minutes, stirring occasionally.
onions and garlic cooking in a skillet.
  1. Add Spices: Introduce garlic, cumin, ginger, cinnamon, and salt to the onions. Continue cooking for 2 more minutes.
onions and garlic cooking in garam masala, cumin, and turmeric in a skillet.
  1. Simmer the Sauce: Mix in the tomato sauce and reduce the heat to low. Let the sauce simmer gently.
tomato sauce simmering in a small saucepan.
  1. Cook the Chicken: In a separate skillet, melt the remaining butter over medium-high heat. Add the marinated chicken and cook for 5 minutes on each side, until it’s nicely browned.
chicken pieces cooking in a small skillet.
  1. Combine Chicken and Sauce: Transfer the cooked chicken to the sauce skillet. Allow it to simmer together for an additional 5-10 minutes. Then, stir in the cream and cook for another minute, stirring continuously.
  2. Ready to Serve: Dish up the Butter Chicken with cooked rice and enjoy.
a blue bowl filled with butter chicken next to a bowl of white rice.

Expert Tips

  • Before you start cooking, make sure to read the entire recipe, including the Ingredient Notes section, and examine the process photos. This detailed guide will help you understand how the recipe unfolds, ensuring your Butter Chicken turns out perfect every time. All the information you need is found within the body of this recipe post, so don’t miss a thing!
  • DIY Garam Masala: If garam masala isn’t available, don’t worry! While this spice blend is typically found in grocery store spice aisles, you can easily make it at home. Follow our homemade garam masala recipe to create your own aromatic blend for this Butter Chicken recipe.
  • Cream Alternatives: Prefer a different option to cream? Full-fat coconut milk or half & half are excellent substitutes, adding their unique flavors and textures to the dish.
  • Prepare Sauce in Advance: For convenience, you can make the Butter Chicken sauce beforehand. Simply let it cool down after cooking, store it in an airtight container or glass jar, and refrigerate it for up to 2 days. This not only saves time but also allows the flavors to deepen and blend beautifully, ready for the addition of chicken when you’re set to cook.

Serving Suggestions

  • White or Brown Rice: A classic pairing, white rice or brown rice acts as a fluffy bed, absorbing the rich sauce beautifully.
  • Cucumber Salad: A fresh cucumber salad adds a crisp, refreshing contrast to the creamy Butter Chicken.
  • Bread: Serve with warm French bread or naan to soak up the delicious sauce, adding a delightful textural contrast.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Butter Chicken typically spicy?

Our Butter Chicken recipe is not inherently spicy. However, for those who enjoy a bit of heat, adding a pinch of cayenne pepper or some finely chopped jalapeños can easily elevate the spice level.

How do I store leftover Butter Chicken?

To keep your Butter Chicken fresh, store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They will stay good for up to 4 days. For reheating, you can use either the microwave or stovetop.

Butter Chicken vs Chicken Tikka Masala: What’s the difference?

While both Butter Chicken and Chicken Tikka Masala feature tender chicken in a creamy tomato sauce, they have distinct origins and flavor profiles. Butter Chicken, also known as murgh makhani, was created in the late 1940s in Northern India. It’s known for its rich, dairy-based sauce and a more pronounced spice blend, often featuring a buttery taste. In contrast, Chicken Tikka Masala, which originated from a Bangladeshi chef in Scotland in the 1970s, is a staple in Great Britain and tends to be less spiced compared to Butter Chicken.

Ways To Use Leftover Ingredients

If you have any ingredients leftover from this recipe, check out our Leftover Ingredients Recipe Finder or you might like to consider using them in any of these single serving and small batch recipes:

RELATED:  15 Easy Single Serving Dessert Recipes

If you’ve tried this easy Butter Chicken recipe or any recipe on One Dish Kitchen please let me know how you liked it by rating the recipe and telling me about it in the comment section below.

If you take a picture please tag us on Instagram (@onedishkitchen) we’d love to see it!


Your Cooking For One Source
Because you’re worth it

Butter Chicken For One

4.73 from 22 votes
Prep: 30 minutes
Cook: 30 minutes
Total: 1 hour
Servings: 1 serving
This is the easiest Butter Chicken recipe you'll find. Incredible flavors, quick and easy to make, this classic Indian dish will surely become a favorite.

Ingredients 
 

For the marinade

  • 1 (4 to 6-ounce) boneless skinless chicken breast , cut into 1-inch pieces
  • ½ cup sour cream (or Greek yogurt)
  • ½ tablespoon lemon juice
  • ½ tablespoon turmeric
  • ½ tablespoon Garam masala *see notes
  • ½ tablespoon ground cumin

For the butter chicken

  • 2 tablespoons salted butter , divided
  • ½ cup chopped onions
  • 1 clove garlic , minced
  • ½ teaspoon ground cumin
  • ¼ teaspoon ground ginger
  • ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1 cup tomato sauce
  • ¼ cup heavy cream
  • 1 cup cooked rice , for serving

Instructions 

Marinate the chicken

  • In a medium-sized bowl, combine sour cream, lemon juice, turmeric, garam masala, and cumin. Cut the chicken breast into 1-inch cubes and add them to the bowl, ensuring each piece is thoroughly coated with the marinade. Cover and let it rest in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes.

Make the butter chicken

  • Heat 1 tablespoon of butter in a medium skillet over medium-high heat. Sauté the onions for about 3 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  • Introduce garlic, cumin, ginger, cinnamon, and salt to the onions. Continue cooking for 2 more minutes.
  • Mix in the tomato sauce and reduce the heat to low. Let the sauce simmer gently.
  • In a separate skillet, melt the remaining butter over medium-high heat. Add the marinated chicken and cook for 5 minutes on each side, until it's nicely browned.
  • Transfer the cooked chicken to the sauce skillet. Allow it to simmer together for an additional 5-10 minutes. Then, stir in the cream and cook for another minute, stirring continuously.
  • Serve the Butter Chicken with cooked rice and enjoy.

Video

Notes

  • Before you start cooking, make sure to read the entire recipe, including the Ingredient Notes section, and examine the process photos. This detailed guide will help you understand how the recipe unfolds, ensuring your Butter Chicken turns out perfect every time. All the information you need is found within the body of this recipe post, so don’t miss a thing!
  • DIY Garam Masala: If garam masala isn’t available, don’t worry! While this spice blend is typically found in grocery store spice aisles, you can easily make it at home. Follow our homemade garam masala recipe to create your own aromatic blend for this Butter Chicken recipe.
  • Cream Alternatives: Prefer a different option to cream? Full-fat coconut milk or half & half are excellent substitutes, adding their unique flavors and textures to the dish.
  • Prepare Sauce in Advance: For convenience, you can make the Butter Chicken sauce beforehand. Simply let it cool down after cooking, store it in an airtight container or glass jar, and refrigerate it for up to 2 days. This not only saves time but also allows the flavors to deepen and blend beautifully, ready for the addition of chicken when you’re set to cook.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving, Calories: 846kcal, Carbohydrates: 73g, Protein: 38g, Fat: 68g, Saturated Fat: 40g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g, Monounsaturated Fat: 17g, Trans Fat: 1g, Cholesterol: 196mg, Sodium: 846mg, Potassium: 1118mg, Fiber: 6g, Sugar: 18g, Vitamin A: 3354IU, Vitamin C: 27mg, Calcium: 232mg, Iron: 3mg

The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.

Receive Our Latest Single Serving Recipes!
Sign Up for the weekly One Dish Kitchen Newsletter!!
Red 5-inch square baking dish with One Dish Kitchen branded paper sleeve around it.

Make 80+ Recipes With This Dish!

Ideal for home chefs, this individual square ceramic baking dish is safe for oven, microwave, freezer, and dishwasher. Simple to use & easy to clean!

Welcome!

I’m Joanie and I’m incredibly happy you’re here! Our aim is to inspire individuals with access to single serving recipes, education, and a supportive community that will enable them to enjoy the preparation of a meal that will nourish both body and soul.

More Ideas

Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




36 Comments

  1. I just made this for dinner tonight. All is could say while eating dinner was wow! This was so delicious!!!

  2. This will definitely not be the last time I make this. I didn’t realize until I started making this that I didn’t have any turmeric, so I substituted curry, as a result it had a little kick and it wasn’t as orange. It was still very good.