Butter Chicken Skillet Texas Roadhouse Style
A rich and creamy butter chicken dish infused with warm spices, perfect for family gatherings or cozy weeknight dinners.
Ingredients
For the Chicken Marinade
- 1.5 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs (or breasts), cut into bite-sized pieces
- 0.5 cup plain yogurt for marinating
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika for marinating
- 1 teaspoon garam masala for marinating
- 1/4 teaspoon salt for marinating
For Cooking
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter divided into 2 tablespoons and 1 tablespoon
- 1 large onion, finely diced for flavor
- 3 cloves garlic, minced divided into half
- 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, minced divided into half
- 1 cup tomato sauce or puree for the sauce
- 0.75 cup heavy cream for creaminess
- 2 teaspoons smoked paprika for flavor
- 0.5 teaspoon chipotle powder for spice
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin for flavor
- 1 teaspoon ground coriander for flavor
- 0.5 teaspoon salt
- 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
- 0.25 cup fresh cilantro, finely chopped for garnish
Instructions
Marination
- In a bowl, combine the chicken pieces, yogurt, 1 teaspoon of smoked paprika, 1 teaspoon of garam masala, half the minced garlic, half the minced ginger, and ¼ teaspoon of salt. Mix well and let it marinate for at least 30 minutes or ideally overnight.
Cooking
- Heat 2 tablespoons of butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat until melted and bubbling.
- Add the marinated chicken to the skillet and sear until golden and just cooked through, about 6 to 8 minutes. Transfer the chicken to a plate and set aside.
- In the same skillet, add the remaining 1 tablespoon of butter. Sauté the diced onion until soft and golden, about 4 to 5 minutes.
- Add the remaining minced garlic and ginger, followed by the smoked paprika, chipotle powder, garam masala, cumin, coriander, salt, and pepper. Cook for 1 minute to release the spices' aromas.
- Pour in the tomato sauce and simmer for about 5 minutes, scraping up any browned bits from the skillet.
- Return the chicken to the skillet, stir gently to combine, and slowly pour in the heavy cream. Simmer for another 5 minutes until the sauce thickens.
- Taste and adjust the seasoning if necessary. Garnish with chopped cilantro before serving hot.
Notes
Serving suggestions include pairing with fluffy rice or warm naan. For refreshing balance, consider cucumber salad or raita. For a full Indian experience, pair with chilled mango lassi. Variations include swapping heavy cream for coconut milk or making it vegetarian with paneer or chickpeas.