Get your

inspiration 

from 

EsmeSalon Recipes

Get access to 1000+ homemade tried and tested recipes by home chefs

By subscribing, I agree to receive a newsletter, exclusive content and free gifts, and declare that I have read the privacy policy and terms and conditions.

Cheat Butter Chicken

Please Spread the love, Sharing is Caring!

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Please note that EsmeSalon may have a financial relationship with some of the vendors we mention in this post which means we may get compensated financially or in kind, at no extra cost to you if you make a purchase through any link in this post. Please refer to our Affiliate Disclosure and Privacy Policy should you require any additional information.


Craving some authentic, delicious, and creamy Butter Chicken? Our Cheat Butter Chicken delivers the same amazing taste with half the calories! Don’t miss out!

Cheat Butter Chicken

Quick and Creamy Cheat Butter Chicken at Home

Exploring the Legacy of Butter Chicken

Butter Chicken has carved its niche in Indian Cuisine as a creation that marries creamy textures with deep, rich flavors. Originating in the bustling kitchens of Delhi, this dish was a solution to leftover chicken, ingeniously combined with luscious gravy. It boasts a concoction of aromatic spices, a yogurt marinade, and garlic ginger paste. Across continents, Butter Chicken has been embraced, its taste capturing hearts. This variant, simplified for the home cook, still promises the comfort and richness treasured in traditional Indian cooking.

Ingredients: A Creative Spin on a Classic

Chicken thighs or drumsticks serve as the base, soaked in flavors from red chili paste, garlic ginger paste, and notably, Aminas Butter Chicken paste. Here, the innovation shines with vinegar milk as a clever stand-in for traditional buttermilk, shortening preparation time without skimping on creaminess. Elements like onion and cardamom pods weave through the recipe, enriching it with the depth customary of homemade Indian gourmet delights. This rendition promises ease and indulgence, making gourmet Indian comfort food an accessible culinary project.

A Seamless Way of Preparing this Cheat Butter Chicken

Initiate the process by immersing your poultry in a fusion of red chili, garlic ginger pastes, and salt, alongside a unique Aminas Butter chicken concoction. For the marinade, a pseudo buttermilk made from milk and vinegar sets the stage, steeping the chicken in a depth of flavor. Proceed to melt butter, incorporating onions, cardamom, curry stalks, and leaves to ensnare the essence of aromatic spices. Introduce the marinated chicken, making sure to utilize any residual marinade fully with a judicious addition of hot water. This ensures no spice is left behind. The journey concludes as you tenderly merge in fresh cream, achieving a sumptuously creamy texture, and adorning with coriander for a burst of freshness.

The Final Touch: Garnishing Your Cheat Butter Chicken

Garnishing holds a special place in preparing Indian dishes, especially Cheat Butter Chicken. It not only enhances the visual appeal but also invites you into a world of creamy, fragrant delight. Opting for a creative yet traditional garnish approach complements the dish. You’ll find pairing it with either rice or naan completes the savory experience, bringing the rich sauces and aromatic spices together perfectly.

Embark on a Homemade Indian Adventure

an image of a white bowl with Cheat Butter Chicken
Treat yourself to the deliciousness of Cheat Butter Chicken

Mastering the art of Cheat Butter Chicken will prove both easy and quick. This recipe, seasoned with aromatic spices, offers a gateway to exploring Indian cuisine from the comfort of home. By mixing tradition with a touch of creativity, you create not just a meal but an experience. Serve alongside traditional Indian sides for an enriched dining adventure. The creamy chicken, rich in flavor and heritage, beckons you to dive into culinary exploration. Dare to try it and transform your dinner into a captivating culinary journey.

Print
clock clock iconcutlery cutlery iconflag flag iconfolder folder iconinstagram instagram iconpinterest pinterest iconfacebook facebook iconprint print iconsquares squares iconheart heart iconheart solid heart solid icon
an image of a white bowl with Cheat Butter Chicken

Cheat Butter Chicken

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star No reviews
  • Author: EsmeSalon
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 30 minutes
  • Total Time: 40 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings depending on size 1x
  • Category: Dinner
  • Method: Easy
  • Cuisine: Indian

Description

Craving some authentic, delicious, and creamy Butter Chicken? This Cheat Butter Chicken delivers the same amazing taste as the real deal! Don’t miss out.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 800 g chicken thighs, drumsticks
  • 1 tsp red chili paste
  • 1 tsp ginger garlic paste
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 heaped tbsp Aminas Butter chicken paste
  • 1/2 cup yogurt/buttermilk (Feel free to use the cheat buttermilk of milk and vinegar, infused for 15 minutes)
  • 1 red onion
  • 2 cardamom pods
  • 100 g Butter
  • 1 cup fresh cream/ideal milk
  • Fresh coriander
  • Sprig curry leaves

Instructions

  1. Finely chop the stalks of the coriander and curry leaves.
  2. Melt the butter gently and add onion and cardamom pods, curry stalks, and curry leaves.
  3. Combine the chicken with all the marinade, use a splash of water from the kettle to rinse the bowl, and add to the chicken.
  4. Simmer semi-covered until chicken is cooked.
  5. Add the cream (keep some for presentation) and simmer for another 5 minutes.
  6. Garnish with coriander leaves.


Notes

Created, Prepared, tried, and tested by Melanie from SA Tasty Recipes – Saffas Daily Recipes

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1
  • Calories: 559
  • Sugar: 4.1 g
  • Sodium: 861.8 mg
  • Fat: 40.6 g
  • Saturated Fat: 22.3 g
  • Trans Fat: 0.4 g
  • Carbohydrates: 5.5 g
  • Fiber: 0.6 g
  • Protein: 42 g
  • Cholesterol: 280.3 mg
Recipe Card powered byTasty Recipes

I am linking up with a bunch of fantastic peeps from the blogosphere who host awesome Linkups: Homestead Blog Hop; Anything Goes

What an honor to be featured by Miz Helen – Full Plate Thursday

Full Plate Thursday Badge

Products we love and used in this recipe, available from Amazon

an image of a white bowl with Cheat Butter Chicken
Explore the world of flavors with Cheat Butter Chicken

Thanks for dropping in and checking out the recipes and what’s on offer.

If you try out this delightful recipe, please let me know, rate it, and tag me on Instagram at @_esmesalon. I’m excited to see your amazing recreations, and I can’t get enough of those mouthwatering photos!

We happily share our awesome recipes and are excited to sprinkle some love by sharing our posts at these awesome Linkup Parties.

Copyright © 2025 esmesalon.com – All rights reserved.

  • Make tomorrow more amazing than today!
  • Just believe in yourself and dream big.
  • Do not give up on your hopes. Take care always.

COPYRIGHT STATEMENT

I, Esme Slabbert, am the author and creator of this site, EsmeSalon. It is unlawful to re-use any content from this blog, without my written permission. Please es**@es*******.com">contact me should you wish to discuss it further.

MISSION STATEMENT

My goal is to provide the best homemade recipes that are healthy for all families to enjoy. I also endeavor to showcase and share other bloggers and promote them on my Blog.

2 thoughts on “Cheat Butter Chicken”

  1. I’m always looking for something to do with chicken, I seem to have fallen into the same old recipes – this looks amazing and a great mid week feast. Thank you for sharing. xxx

    Reply
    • Good morning Ashley. I am so happy to see you hear and that you wish to ry out this cheat butter chicken dish. Hope you will enjoy it. Do let me know what you think please and thank you.

      Reply

Leave a Comment

Recipe rating 5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star