One-Pan Baked Butter Chicken: An Incredible Ultimate Recipe
If you’re craving the rich, creamy flavors of a classic Indian restaurant meal with the simplicity of a weeknight dinner, look no further than this One-Pan Baked Butter Chicken: An Incredible Ultimate Recipe. This dish brings together tender chicken thighs, luscious butter, aromatic spices, and a silky tomato-based sauce, all baked together in a single pan for ultimate ease and minimal cleanup. Whether you’re new to Indian-inspired cooking or a seasoned spice lover, this recipe will become a treasured favorite in your kitchen.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This ingredient lineup is beautifully straightforward, yet every item is essential to unlocking deep flavor, golden color, and creamy texture. Each component plays a key role, turning humble pantry staples into something truly special.
- Chicken Thighs: Boneless, skinless thighs ensure juicy, flavorful bites and hold up perfectly in the oven.
- Unsalted Butter: Adds the signature richness and rounds out the spices in true butter chicken fashion.
- Onion: Gives a sweet, aromatic foundation to the sauce.
- Garlic: Delivers a savory punch and melds beautifully with the other seasonings.
- Ginger: Fresh ginger brings brightness and a gentle warmth to balance the richness.
- Garam Masala: The heart of the spice mix, this blend brings depth and complexity.
- Turmeric: For that beautiful golden color and earthy undertone.
- Cumin: Adds warmth and a comforting, slightly nutty taste.
- Paprika: Provides subtle sweetness and a hint of smoky flavor.
- Crushed Tomatoes: The perfect base for a tangy, rich sauce.
- Heavy Cream or Coconut Milk: For a dreamy, creamy texture—use coconut milk for a dairy-free twist.
- Tomato Paste: Concentrates tomato flavor and adds body to the sauce.
- Chili Powder: Gives a gentle heat; adjust to your spice preference.
- Lemon Juice: Brightens and balances the richness just before serving.
- Salt and Pepper: Essential for bringing all the flavors to life.
- Fresh Cilantro: The vibrant herbal finish every great butter chicken deserves.
How to Make One-Pan Baked Butter Chicken: An Incredible Ultimate Recipe
Step 1: Build the Aromatic Base
Start by preheating your oven to 375°F (190°C). In a large oven-safe skillet or shallow baking dish, melt 2 tablespoons of unsalted butter over medium heat. Add your finely chopped onion and cook, stirring often, until it’s golden and soft—this slow sautéing creates the deeply flavorful base that sets One-Pan Baked Butter Chicken: An Incredible Ultimate Recipe apart from the rest.
Step 2: Layer in Garlic, Ginger, and Spices
Now for the magic: sprinkle in the minced garlic, grated ginger, garam masala, turmeric, cumin, paprika, and chili powder. Let everything sizzle for about 2 minutes, stirring constantly to avoid burning. The aroma at this stage is irresistible and hints at the bold flavors to come.
Step 3: Sauce It Up with Tomatoes
Stir in the tomato paste until fully blended, then pour in the crushed tomatoes. Let the mixture simmer for 5 minutes, reducing slightly and thickening to a rich, robust sauce. This ensures your base is packed with concentrated flavor before meeting the chicken.
Step 4: Add the Chicken and Cream
Season your chicken pieces generously with salt and pepper. Nestle them gently into the sauce, making sure each piece is well coated. Pour the heavy cream or coconut milk evenly over the chicken, and dot the top with the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter. This step transforms the sauce, making it impossibly creamy and utterly satisfying.
Step 5: Bake to Perfection
Move the skillet or baking dish to your preheated oven and bake, uncovered, for 25–30 minutes. You’re looking for bubbling sauce, tender chicken, and a deeply inviting aroma wafting through your kitchen. The sauce should thicken just enough to coat the chicken in glossy, silky goodness.
Step 6: Finish with Freshness
When it’s time to serve, squeeze over the lemon juice for that zingy lift and scatter fresh cilantro leaves on top. This final touch adds brightness and color, making your One-Pan Baked Butter Chicken: An Incredible Ultimate Recipe absolutely irresistible.
How to Serve One-Pan Baked Butter Chicken: An Incredible Ultimate Recipe
Garnishes
A flourish of fresh cilantro is traditional and gorgeous, but you can also add paper-thin slices of red onion or a dollop of plain yogurt for extra color and cooling contrast. For a fancier finish, sprinkle on some toasted sliced almonds or a pinch of smoked paprika.
Side Dishes
This dish shines alongside fluffy basmati rice, which soaks up every drop of sauce. Buttery naan bread is another must for mopping up the pan. If you’re after something lighter, try a side of sautéed spinach, roasted cauliflower, or a crisp cucumber salad.
Creative Ways to Present
For family-style sharing, bring the pan directly to the table for a dramatic reveal. For a dinner party, spoon the chicken onto a platter, drizzle with extra sauce, and fan out slices of naan or piles of rice around the edge. Leftovers can even be wrapped in warm flatbreads for a killer butter chicken wrap the next day.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Any leftover One-Pan Baked Butter Chicken: An Incredible Ultimate Recipe keeps beautifully in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days. The flavors deepen overnight, making tomorrow’s lunch something to look forward to.
Freezing
Let the chicken and sauce cool completely, then portion into freezer-safe containers. It will hold its flavor and creamy texture for up to two months—just defrost overnight in the fridge before reheating.
Reheating
Gently rewarm the butter chicken on the stovetop over medium-low heat, adding a splash of water or cream if the sauce is too thick. You can also microwave individual servings in short bursts, stirring in between, to keep things creamy and tender.
FAQs
Can I use chicken breasts instead of thighs?
Absolutely! Chicken breasts work in this recipe if that’s your preference—just cut them into bite-sized chunks, and keep an eye on baking time to avoid drying them out. Thighs tend to be juicier, but both cuts soak up the delicious sauce equally well.
Is One-Pan Baked Butter Chicken: An Incredible Ultimate Recipe spicy?
This dish is warmly spiced rather than fiery. The chili powder brings gentle heat, but you can adapt the amount to suit your taste—or use a mild paprika for something especially kid-friendly.
Can I make this dairy-free?
Yes, simply use coconut milk in place of heavy cream and swap the butter for a plant-based alternative. The sauce will still be gorgeously silky and full of flavor.
What if I don’t have garam masala?
Garam masala is worth seeking out for authenticity, but if you don’t have it on hand, you can mix equal parts ground cumin, coriander, and cardamom with a pinch of cinnamon or cloves as a quick, homemade substitute.
Can I assemble One-Pan Baked Butter Chicken: An Incredible Ultimate Recipe ahead of time?
Definitely! You can prep the sauce and marinate the chicken up to a day ahead. When you’re ready to bake, simply bring everything to room temperature and follow the final baking step. This is a great option for stress-free entertaining.
Final Thoughts
Give yourself—and those you cook for—the joy of this One-Pan Baked Butter Chicken: An Incredible Ultimate Recipe. With bold flavor, creamy comfort, and minimal cleanup, it’s a dish you’ll find yourself making again and again. Try it soon, and prepare to fall in love with every bite!
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One-Pan Baked Butter Chicken: An Incredible Ultimate Recipe
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: Non-Vegetarian
Description
This One-Pan Baked Butter Chicken recipe is a delicious and easy-to-make Indian-inspired dish that is perfect for a cozy night in. Tender chunks of chicken are cooked in a creamy, flavorful sauce that is rich with spices and aromatics. Baking it in the oven allows the flavors to meld together beautifully, creating a comforting and satisfying meal.
Ingredients
For the Chicken:
- 1.5 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs (cut into chunks)
For the Sauce:
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter (divided)
- 1 medium onion (finely chopped)
- 3 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 tablespoon fresh ginger (grated)
- 2 tablespoons garam masala
- 1 teaspoon ground turmeric
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 can (14 oz) crushed tomatoes
- 1 cup heavy cream or coconut milk
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon chili powder (adjust to taste)
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh cilantro (for garnish)
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Sauté Aromatics: In a large oven-safe skillet or baking dish, melt 2 tablespoons butter over medium heat. Add chopped onion and sauté until soft, about 5 minutes. Stir in garlic, ginger, garam masala, turmeric, cumin, paprika, and chili powder; cook for 2 minutes until fragrant.
- Prepare the Sauce: Add tomato paste and crushed tomatoes, stir well, and simmer for 5 minutes.
- Cook the Chicken: Season chicken pieces with salt and pepper and nestle them into the sauce. Pour heavy cream or coconut milk over the chicken and dot with remaining butter.
- Bake: Transfer skillet to oven and bake uncovered for 25–30 minutes until chicken is cooked through and sauce is bubbling.
- Finish and Serve: Finish with lemon juice and garnish with fresh cilantro before serving.
Notes
- Serve with basmati rice or naan bread.
- For a richer sauce, use heavy cream; for a dairy-free version, substitute coconut milk.
- Adjust spices to your preferred heat level.
- Leftovers keep well refrigerated for 3 days.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Oven Baking
- Cuisine: Indian-inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 460
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 520 mg
- Fat: 32 g
- Saturated Fat: 18 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 10 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 32 g
- Cholesterol: 110 mg
