Pakistani-Style Butter Chicken (Better than Restaurant!) That I guarantee its even better than your favorite takeout spot! It’s loaded with warm spices, intensely flavorful, and perfect for spooning on top of basmati rice or naan. By following my step-by-step instructions and video, you can easily make this authentic butter chicken successfully at home! Ready to get started? Let’s dive in.
Pakistani-Style Butter Chicken (Better than Restaurant!) Also known as Chicken Makhni or Makhni Chicken is like a warm hug in the form of a curry. It’s where tender chicken meets a velvety, buttery tomato gravy, creating the perfect balance of richness and spice. This recipe requires no cashews or any form of nuts yet still taste delicious.
t’s creamy, comforting, and packed with flavor in every bite. My mom actually asked me to make Butter Chicken for one of the family lunches during the weeklong wedding coming up—that’s how big of a deal this recipe is in our house. Honestly, it’s one of my family's all-time favorite Pakistani recipes on the blog.
Actually, my friend has been making this Pakistani Butter Chicken recipe since our college days. I swear, her recipes are always super easy and quick! Funny enough, her name is also Sara—so this is her perfect Butter Chicken recipe. I fell in love with it the very first time she made it.
STEPS IN MAKING THE PERFECT BUTTER CHICKEN
There are few components to cooking the best Butter Chicken:
- Firstly, you have to make the most-delicious masala by dry roasting whole spices and grinding it until it's in powder form.
- Next comes the marination and smoking step.
- After which the gravy is made.
Interestingly, after getting my hand on my friend Sara's recipe, l’ve completely stopped ordering Butter Chicken at restaurants. I’m confident that my friend's version goes beyond the typical curry, delivering a rich, flavorful experience that’s truly one of a kind!
TIPS
- Always smoke the chicken before its resting time.
- Always marinate the chicken for at least 30 minutes up to overnight in refrigerator.
INGREDIENTS YOU'LL NEED!!!
- Tomato Paste – You’ll need the thick kind of tomato paste. Don’t use tomato sauce instead, because it’s more watery and won’t work the same in the recipe.
- Byadgi Pepper – If you can’t find whole dried Byadgi peppers, you can use dried long red chili peppers instead. They’ll still give a nice color and flavor.
- Chicken – I always suggest using chicken thighs. Don’t use chicken breast or tenderloins—they’re more dry and don’t have as much flavor. They can also make your curry taste weird and the texture won’t be as good. Chicken thighs make it taste better and is juicier.
HOW TO SMOKE AND MARINATE?
HOW TO MAKE BUTTER CHICKEN?
WHAT TO SERVE AND PAIR IT ?
Butter Chicken is usually served with Naan or fluffy Basmati Rice. Whatever you pick it'll taste great.
Hey Friend, You’ve made it this far, so now we’re basically best friends! If you make this recipe, I’d love for you to give it a quick review & star rating ★ below. Make sure you follow me on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok.
LET'S MAKE BUTTER CHICKEN!!!
Pakistani-Style Butter Chicken (Better than Restaurant!)
Ingredients
Butter Chicken Masala
- 1 inch cinnamon stick
- 4 green cardamom pods
- 2 star anise
- 2 black cardamoms
- 6 whole cloves
- 10 black peppercorns
- 1 tbsp cumin seeds
- 1 bay leaf
- ½ piece javitri mace
- ⅛ piece netmug
- 2 tbsp coriander seeds
- 4 dry whole byadgi
- 2 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp tumeric powder
- 1 tsp red chili powder
- ¼ tsp garam masala powder
- 1 tsp salt
Marination and Smoke
- 2 lbs chicken thigh ½-1 inch pieces
- 1 tsp white vinegar
- 2 tbsp ginger garlic paste
- 1 tsp pure lemon juice
- 2 tbsp butter chicken masala that you just made
- 1 tbsp oilve oil extra virgin
- 1 bbq coal
Gravy
- 4 tbsp sweet salted butter
- ⅓ cup olive oil extra virgin
- marinated chicken
- 4 tbsp homemade butter chicken masala
- 1½ tsp kosher salt or as needed
- 1 tsp red chili powder
- 6 ounce tomato paste
- 2 cups heavy whipping cream
- 3 tbsp honey
Garnish
- 1 tsp heavy whipping cream
- 1 tsp dried kasuri methi
- 2 tbsp sweet salted butter
Instructions
Butter Chicken Masala
- In a fry pan, add cinnamon, green cardamom, star anise, black cardamoms, cloves, black peppercorn, cumin seeds, bay leaf, javitri, netmeg, coriander seeds, and chili whole byadgi.
- Lightly dry roast the spices in a fry pan on medium heat.
- Grind all until all the whole spices that you added become powder form in a spice grinder.
- Now add salt, red chili powder, tumeric powder, and garam masala powder.
- Mix everything all together.
Smoke And Marination
- In a bowl, add chicken, oil, ginger garlic paste, vinegar, lemon juice, and the butter chicken masala that you made.
- Now burn the coal on the stove, place the burned/lighted coal by using a steel tong in a steel bowl.
- Place the bowl on the chicken. pour 1 tbsp oil on the coal and quickly cover the lid let the smoke makes its way around the chicken.
- After 2-3 minutes remove the cover from the chicken and take out the steel bowl and discard the coal.
- Cover the chicken with the lid and refrigerate it for 30 minutes or overnight.
Gravy
- In a medium pot, on medium heat, turn on the stove let it get hot.
- Add ⅓ cup oil.
- Now add in 4 tbsp butter and let it melt.
- Next add the marniated chicken and toss it around pot until the chicken changes its color.
- Now add in tomato paste and mix it well with the chicken.
- Now add 1½ tsp salt,1 tsp red chili powder, 4 tbsp of the butter chicken masala.
- Mix well and let it cook for 5 minutes.
- Add the 2 cups of heavy whipping cream and mix well.
- Now cover and let it cook on medium low for 10-15 minutes or until the oil separates.
- Next add honey and mix well.
- Uncover the pot and garnish with some heavy whipping cream, dried kasuri methi, and butter at top.
- Enjoy it with chapati, naan or white rice.
Asma Rafiq says
Ufffff this is the best butter chicken I have ever had! The spices and technique is amazing. Must try!
Sarah Mirza says
thank you so much :*
Katie Khan says
hands down the best butter chicken recipe.
Sarah Mirza says
thank you so much :*
Alley says
My first butter chicken recipe and it was amazing! Can’t go wrong…delish! Thank you for sharing!
Sarah Mirza says
Thank you so much :*
Saadia says
What is Byadgi?
Sarah Mirza says
https://www.etsy.com/listing/1000891587/byadgi-chilli-whole-sortex-clean-sabut?gbraid=0AAAAADtcfRJVM3ynP_PAsed5x_BGgGxGT&gpla=1&gao=1&&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=shopping_us_b-home_and_living-food_and_drink-herbs_and_spices_and_seasonings-herbs_and_spices&utm_custom1=_k_Cj0KCQjwssyJBhDXARIsAK98ITQeWIDZnUX6_rFShQsj8kXuVBh7uvlsFkj_haB6KU9vMb7HnRhJMk8aAmnAEALw_wcB_k_&utm_content=go_1843970812_75209270572_346429594487_aud-1185363470307:pla-306107311649_m__1000891587_468310659&utm_custom2=1843970812&gbraid=0AAAAADtcfRJVM3ynP_PAsed5x_BGgGxGT&gclid=Cj0KCQjwssyJBhDXARIsAK98ITQeWIDZnUX6_rFShQsj8kXuVBh7uvlsFkj_haB6KU9vMb7HnRhJMk8aAmnAEALw_wcB
They are this kind of pepper they are less spicier.
Katharine Eppolito says
I want to try this recipe this weekend. I’m the picture, it looks like you dry roast the whole spices before grinding, but I don’t see any mention of that in the directions. Should I roast them or not?
Sarah Mirza says
Thank you so much for bringing that to my attention, I just included that step. I always dry roast my spices. I don't know how I forgot to add it in the procedure.
Maryah says
I have been trying butter chicken recipe since long and it never worked out but today I tried Sarah’s recipe and trust me it turned out really good
I followed each and every steps as mentioned and yes it was amazing
Thank you so much for sharing beautiful recipes with us 🙂
My husband ate it and his first question how did you get this perfect aroma
Maryah says
I have been trying butter chicken recipe since long and it never worked out but today I tried Sarah’s recipe and trust me it turned out really good
I followed each and every steps as mentioned and yes it was amazing
Thank you so much for sharing beautiful recipes with us 🙂
Sarah Mirza says
Thank you so much means a lot! <3
Sarah Mirza says
Thank you so much means a lot! <3 It makes our day to hear this kind of feedbacks! <3
Jen says
This is a fantastic recipe. I love the flavours. Butter chicken is an all time favourite at my house and I'm always looking for a new version. And this was just perfect! Thank you so much for sharing. This is definitely worth repeating.
Sarah Mirza says
means a lot! thank you so much
hope you try more of our recipes.
feel free if you have any questions.
thanks again.
Maryah says
I have been trying butter chicken recipe since long and it never worked out but today I tried Sarah’s recipe and trust me it turned out really good
I followed each and every steps as mentioned and yes it was amazing
Thank you so much for sharing recipes with us 🙂
Sarah Mirza says
Thank you so much it much means a lot!<3
Zakiya says
Hi do I need to add the honey? I want a spicey and savoury butter chicken recipie, does this one have noticeable sweetness?
Sarah Mirza says
to me it's balance but you can add a little and try it according to your liking. 🙂
feel free to ask any further questions about the recipe. I just made it for Iftar today. hehe...
Unique places in the World says
Your Pakistani-Style Butter Chicken recipe sounds incredible! The promise of a dish that's even better than takeout is impressive, especially with all those warm spices and rich flavors. I love that you’re providing step-by-step instructions and a video—such a great way to ensure success at home. I’m excited to try making this myself and experience the authentic taste you’re promising. Thanks for sharing such a flavorful and enticing recipe!
Sarah Mirza says
so nice of you, can't wait til you try the recipe.