Description
This One-Pan Baked Butter Chicken recipe offers a deliciously creamy and flavorful Indian-inspired dish made with succulent chicken thighs simmered in a spiced tomato cream sauce and baked to perfection in a single pan. With aromatic spices like garam masala, cumin, and turmeric combined with garlic, ginger, and butter, this recipe is a comforting and easy meal for any day of the week.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Sauce
- 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs (or breasts)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 onion, finely chopped
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated
- 1 tablespoon garam masala
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon turmeric
- 1 can (14 oz) crushed tomatoes
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh cilantro for garnish
For Serving (optional)
- Cooked rice or naan
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) to prepare for baking the chicken once the sauce is ready.
- Sauté Aromatics: In a large oven-safe skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the finely chopped onion and sauté for 5-7 minutes until soft and translucent.
- Add Garlic and Ginger: Stir in the minced garlic and grated ginger, cooking for 1-2 minutes until fragrant and aromatic.
- Add Spices: Sprinkle the garam masala, ground cumin, chili powder, and turmeric over the aromatics. Cook, stirring constantly, for about 1 minute to release the full flavors of the spices.
- Add Tomatoes: Pour in the crushed tomatoes and stir well to combine with the spices. Let the sauce simmer gently for about 5 minutes to slightly thicken and develop flavor.
- Prepare Chicken: Season the chicken thighs generously with salt and pepper. Nestle each piece into the sauce in the skillet, ensuring they are well-coated by the tomato mixture.
- Incorporate Cream and Butter: Gently stir in the heavy cream and unsalted butter until fully blended into the sauce. Allow the mixture to simmer for another 5 minutes to meld the flavors.
- Bake the Chicken: Transfer the oven-safe skillet directly to the preheated oven. Bake for 25-30 minutes until the chicken is fully cooked through and reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (75°C).
- Garnish and Serve: Remove from the oven, garnish with fresh cilantro, and serve hot. This dish pairs beautifully with cooked rice or warm naan bread.
- Enjoy: Savor your flavorful, creamy One-Pan Baked Butter Chicken as a satisfying main course.
Notes
- Using chicken thighs offers juicier and more flavorful results, but breasts can be used for a leaner option.
- Adjust the chili powder amount to control the heat level in the dish.
- If you don’t have an oven-safe skillet, transfer the sauce and chicken to a baking dish before baking.
- Ensure the internal temperature of chicken reaches 165°F (75°C) for safe consumption.
- This recipe can be doubled to serve a larger crowd by using a bigger pan or baking dish.
