Are you tired of the same old boring chicken recipes? Looking for something that’ll make your taste buds dance with joy? Well, I’ve got just the thing for you – Gaby Dalkin’s Butter Chicken recipe from What’s Gaby Cooking! This dish has become my absolute obsession lately, and I just can’t get enough of it.
As someone who loves experimenting in the kitchen I was initially intimidated by Indian cuisine. All those spices! All that simmering! But Gaby’s butter chicken recipe changed everything for me. It’s approachable uses ingredients you can actually find, and delivers restaurant-quality flavor right in your own kitchen.
What Makes Gaby’s Butter Chicken Special?
Gaby Dalkin the culinary genius behind “What’s Gaby Cooking” has created a butter chicken recipe that strikes the perfect balance between authentic flavors and weeknight-friendly preparation. Unlike traditional recipes that might require hours of cooking and hard-to-find ingredients, Gaby’s version simplifies the process without sacrificing any of that rich, buttery goodness.
At its core, butter chicken (or murgh makhani) is cut-up chicken thighs marinated in a mixture of lemon juice, yogurt, and spices, then simmered in a savory sauce made with butter, onion, garlic, ginger, tomatoes, and cream. The result? Tender chicken that’s practically falling apart, swimming in a sauce that’s so good you’ll want to drink it with a straw!
The Key Ingredients That Make This Recipe Shine
The beauty of Gaby’s butter chicken lies in its relatively simple ingredient list that delivers maximum flavor:
- Boneless, skinless chicken thighs: These are preferred over breast meat because they stay juicy and tender throughout the cooking process.
- Greek yogurt: This forms the base of the marinade, helping to tenderize the chicken while adding a subtle tang.
- Spice blend: The magical combination of turmeric, garam masala, cumin, and a pinch of cayenne creates that signature butter chicken flavor.
- Butter: I mean, it’s called butter chicken for a reason! This adds richness and depth to the sauce.
- Fresh aromatics: Onion, garlic, and ginger create the flavorful foundation.
- Tomatoes: Canned diced tomatoes make this recipe weeknight-friendly.
- Heavy cream or coconut milk: This gives the sauce its luscious, velvety texture.
Step-by-Step: Making Gaby’s Butter Chicken
Let’s break down how to create this incredible dish:
The Marinade Magic
- Cut about 2 pounds of boneless skinless chicken thighs into 1-inch pieces.
- In a bowl, combine 1 cup of Greek yogurt (Gaby recommends Stonyfield Grassfed), 2 tablespoons lemon juice, 1½ tablespoons ground turmeric, 2 tablespoons garam masala, 2 tablespoons ground cumin, and 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper.
- Add the chicken pieces to this marinade and mix well to coat.
- Let the chicken marinate for at least 1 hour, but overnight is even better if you can plan ahead!
Creating That Addictive Sauce
- Melt ½ cup of butter in a large pan over medium heat.
- Add a roughly diced onion and cook until translucent.
- Toss in 4 cloves of roughly chopped garlic and 2 tablespoons of freshly grated ginger, cooking until fragrant (about 2-3 minutes).
- Add a 15-ounce can of diced tomatoes and cook for 5 minutes.
- Now add the marinated chicken (yes, including all that flavorful marinade!) and cook for 5 minutes.
- Pour in ½ cup of chicken stock and bring to a boil.
- Lower the heat and simmer for 30 minutes, letting all those flavors meld together.
- Stir in 2 cups of heavy cream (or coconut milk if you prefer), 1 teaspoon of tomato paste, and 2 teaspoons of salt.
- Continue simmering until the chicken is completely cooked through (about 15 more minutes) and the sauce has thickened.
- Taste and adjust seasoning as needed, adding a squeeze of lemon juice for brightness.
- Garnish with fresh cilantro leaves.
FAQ: Everything You Need to Know About Gaby’s Butter Chicken
I’ve gotten so many questions about this recipe, so let me address the most common ones:
Can I use chicken breast instead of thighs?
While thighs are definitely preferred for their juiciness, you can absolutely use breast meat if that’s what you have on hand. Just be careful not to overcook it, as breast meat tends to dry out more easily.
Is butter chicken spicy?
The beauty of making this at home is that you control the heat! The recipe calls for 1 teaspoon of cayenne, which gives a nice warming heat without being overwhelming. If you’re making this for kiddos or spice-sensitive folks, you can reduce or omit the cayenne. Gaby mentions that her daughter gobbles it right up when she omits the cayenne!
What do you serve with butter chicken?
This dish BEGS for something to soak up that incredible sauce! Naan bread is my absolute favorite pairing – I like to warm it up and use it to scoop up every last bit of sauce. Basmati rice is another classic option. Gaby also suggests serving over quinoa or farro if you want to change things up.
Can I freeze butter chicken?
YES! This is one of those magical dishes that freezes beautifully. Gaby mentions that she frequently freezes smaller portions after they’re fully cooked. To reheat just thaw in the fridge and then warm in a non-stick skillet over medium heat. It’s perfect for meal prep!
Can I use coconut milk instead of heavy cream?
Absolutely! Coconut milk makes a fantastic dairy-free alternative and adds a subtle sweetness that works beautifully with the spices. The recipe specifically mentions you can use either 2 cups of heavy cream OR coconut milk.
Why People Are Obsessed With This Recipe
Don’t just take my word for how amazing this recipe is. Here’s what some of Gaby’s readers have said:
Sherie commented: “So delicious! I love that this recipe has a ton of allowance- so much so that I used half the butter, ran out of cumin (subbed coriander), completely forgot the tomato paste and salt, and it was still SO FREAKING GOOD. Will definitely add it to our monthly rotation. My 2 year old loved it too!”
Anna shared: “I’ve been on the hunt for a good, easy butter chicken recipe and I’m so glad I found this. It was absolutely delicious! I’m going to try it again with adding the chickpeas as others have mentioned in the comments.”
Liz had a great tip: “I also added a can of chickpeas when I stirred in the coconut milk per another comment-great suggestion!”
Tips for Butter Chicken Success
After making this recipe multiple times (seriously, I’m obsessed!), I’ve discovered a few helpful tips:
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Don’t rush the simmer: Those 30 minutes of simmering are crucial for developing deep flavor. If you have the time, let it go even longer on low heat.
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Fresh spices make a difference: If your spices have been sitting in your cabinet for years, consider investing in some fresh ones. Gaby recommends Diaspora Co. for authentic, high-quality spices.
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Adjust the consistency to your liking: If your sauce ends up too thick, add a splash of chicken stock or water. If it’s too thin, simmer uncovered for a bit longer to reduce it.
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Make extra!: Trust me, you’ll want leftovers. This tastes even better the next day as the flavors continue to develop.
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Try the chickpea addition: Several commenters mention adding a can of chickpeas to the dish, which is a brilliant way to add more protein and texture.
Final Thoughts
Gaby’s Butter Chicken has become a staple in my weeknight dinner rotation. It’s the perfect balance of authentic flavor without being overly complicated or time-consuming. The combination of aromatic spices, tender chicken, and that rich, velvety sauce is simply irresistible.
Whether you’re new to Indian cuisine or a seasoned pro, this recipe deserves a spot in your collection. It’s versatile, freezes beautifully, and never fails to impress. The next time you’re wondering “what should I make for dinner?”, remember that Gaby’s Butter Chicken is just a few steps away from becoming your new favorite meal.
So grab those spices, marinate that chicken, and get ready for a flavor explosion that’ll have everyone asking for seconds! And don’t forget the naan – you’ll need it to soak up every last drop of that magical sauce.
LEFTOVER ROTISSERIE CHICKEN RECIPES
Chicken Rice and Cheese Casserole – If you’re looking for the most comforting and easy dinner – look no further! This Chicken Rice and Cheese Casserole is truly perfection! Its comfort food in a skillet.
Asian Chicken Slaw – This salad is super colorful and packed with flavor. Its one of those recipes that only gets better with time. Plus you can use a rotisserie chicken as a grocery store short-cut. Heres a video tutorial of how to make it.
Easy Chicken Pot Pie – This homemade chicken pot pie recipe has the creamiest filling made with a base of onions, carrots, celery, peas, and shredded chicken. I love that it comes together quickly with the help of a few store-bought shortcuts, and it’s a recipe the whole family will love.
BBQ Chicken Quinoa Salad – This Loaded BBQ Chicken Quinoa Salad has layers of quinoa, grilled corn, black beans, shredded BBQ chicken, diced avocado, BBQ sauce and a little cheese. Its packed with so much flavor and is one of my favorite make ahead meals!! Just assemble the entire thing, minus the avocado, so then you can grab them for lunch when youre hungry.
Grilled BBQ Chicken Pizza – Your favorite flavors from BBQ Chicken onto a pizza with a grilled pizza crust! Youll be obsessed.
Ginger Scallion Chicken Wraps – Sometimes you just need a quick and easy weeknight meal and these Ginger Scallion Chicken Wraps are exactly that!
Poblano Chicken Enchiladas – These have plenty of enchilada sauce and copious amounts of cheese. Add to that a delicious filling of shredded chicken, poblano peppers and corn and it’s a winning combination. I make these on the regular and, one of my favorite parts about this is that unless you’re feeding 6 people, there’s always enough for leftovers the next day.
Thai Chicken Pizza – This Thai Chicken Pizza has been on repeat for a while now! All you need is some leftover rotisserie chicken and a quick peanut sauce and youre in business.
Homemade Chicken Taquitos – Remember those frozen Chicken Taquitos youd buy as a kid – well these are homemade and they are INCREDIBLE!! Youll be obsessed.
Greek Chicken Stuffed Pitas – Greek Chicken Stuffed Pitas will be the easiest lunch or dinner you’ll make this week! All you need is some leftover rotisserie chicken, a little tzatziki, avocado, feta, red onions, some cucumbers, and pita pockets, and youre golden!
Chicken Enchiladas Verdes – These enchiladas are absolute perfection! The enchilada sauce is tangy, savory, smoky, and only slightly spicy. The enchiladas are loaded with rotisserie chicken plus some spices and wrapped in a flour tortilla. Then they get sprinkled with, not 1, but 2 kinds of cheese and baked, all that’s left is to top them with some slivered red onions, crema and some cilantro.
Tex Mex Enchilada Queso – This cheesy Tex Mex Enchilada Queso absolutely, without a doubt, will be the MVP of your game day parties. Its basically everything you’d throw into a batch of enchiladas….but in dip form. It’s brilliant if you ask me.
Crispy Chicken Thighs with Smashed Peas – First, the chicken thighs that get seared to perfection, then some lemony cheesy peas are added into the mix and hang out with the schmaltz in the bottom of the pan, and then holy cow your life will never be the same.
Butter Chicken – This super flavorful Butter Chicken comes together faster than you could order-in, and couldnt be easier to make! You can watch how to make it here.
Cuban Mojo Chicken Thighs – The secret to grilled Mojo Chicken Thighs is the perfectly balanced Orange Juice marinade that not only infuses flavor into the chicken, but also gets reduced as a drizzling sauce.
Thai Chicken Coconut Curry – Thai Chicken Coconut Curry is one of the most delicious one-pot meals you could make! You’re going to be obsessed.
Chipotle Chicken Lettuce Wraps – These slightly spicy / smoky Chipotle Chicken Lettuce Wraps are equal parts addictive and delicious!!
Chicken Shish Kabobs – My Dads Chicken Shish Kabobs recipe that is seriously one for the record books! YOU WILL LOVE!
Grilled Korean Chicken Skewers – I’ve cracked the code on chicken skewers for this summer and you’re going to want to get on board!
Lemon Chicken Pasta – Meet the easy chicken pasta of your dreams! This Lemon Chicken Pasta is just what you need when you want to put dinner on the table FAST!
Shredded BBQ Chicken Burgers – The easiest Shredded BBQ Chicken Burgers that you can make in the slow cooker!!
Homemade Orange Chicken – This homemade Orange Chicken is truly perfection!! So for those of you who order this every time you get takeout – try and make it and home and see what you think!
Artichoke Pepper Braised Chicken – Perfectly fall-apart chicken thighs that you can serve over rice, pasta or a bed of greens.
Crispy Lemon Chicken Thighs – This is a quick and easy dinner you can count on! These chicken thighs are laced with plenty of citrus and fresh herbs – you can bet ever single bite of these is going to be packed with a pop of fresh flavor!
Mushroom Chicken Marsala Pasta – Chicken Marsala Pasta is one of those easy weeknight recipes that you’ll want to make over and over again. Just grab a bottle of Marsala and keep it on hand so you can use it each time you make this recipe. Then throw it over some pasta and omg it’s so good.
Brown Butter Chicken Pasta – After having what was truly the best chicken of my entire life in Florence I knew I had to recreate it, but with lots of browned butter and pasta!
Chicken Paprikash – Chicken Paprikash is a traditional Hungarian recipe and somehow it made it’s way into the hearts of my Omi and Papa. It’s basically stewed chicken in a paprika roux with tons of extra flavor from onions and garlic and herbs. Def a crowd pleaser no matter who you are serving it to!
Chicken Tagine with Olives – At it’s core, a tagine is large chunks of stewed meat, tons of spices, preserved lemons and fresh herbs on top. It’s a way of life in Morocco and you’re going to love it!
Easy Mexican Shredded Chicken {Verde!} – Perfect tender, fall apart chicken that you can take and use for any number of things. Tacos – yes. Enchiladas – Duh. Burritos – absolutely. Taco Salad – why not. Quinoa Bowls – Obviously. The ideas just keep coming.
Italian Wedding Soup – Italian Wedding Soup with the best chicken meatballs and Parmesan broth! Serve it with some crusty bread and game over.
Easy White Chicken Chili – This is the best White Chicken Chili! Its loaded with white beans, shredded chicken, corn, and green chilies.
Chicken Tortilla Soup – The most perfect chicken tortilla soup youll ever make! Its loaded with shredded chicken, cheese, plenty of cilantro, crispy tortilla strips and of course, avocado. Its inspired by Cafe Terra Cotta (who used to make the most perfect tortilla soup in Tucson, AZ), youll never make another recipe ever again!
Chicken Chili Verde – Chicken Chili Verde was a HIT when we were kids growing up in Tucson. It’s one of the easiest things to make and I can’t get enough. Trust me, you’re going to want this one on regular rotation for the next few months. It’s that good.
Loaded Chicken Pho – You can make this Loaded Chicken Pho in the Instant Pot, or on the stove top – you’re welcome. Either way it’s going to be loaded with all the goodies, flavor and you’re going to love it. And the toppings!! All those fresh herbs, hits of lime juice, crunchy bean sprouts etc… that really make it shine!
Smoky Chipotle Chicken Chili – An easy recipe for Chipotle Chicken Chili that is sure to knock your socks off. Pile it high with avocado, because duh, and also cheese because that’s mandatory!
Chicken Posole – The only kind of chicken soup that graces my kitchen is a majorly flavorful Chicken Posole! It’s beyond easy and puts your ordinary chicken noodle soup to shame.
Easy Mexican Shredded Chicken – I love a recipe that once it’s done you can use it on just about everything. Mexican Shredded Chicken can be made in a slow cooker or a heavy bottom dutch oven! The Dutch Oven takes only 20-30 minutes total so when I’m in a rush, that’s my preferred method.
Skillet Chipotle Chicken Enchilada Bake – One of my favorite dinners of all times! When you layer together shredded enchilada chicken with ALL THE CHEESE, tortillas, black beans and corn it’s basically a recipe for success. This recipe for Skillet Chipotle Chicken Enchilada Bake has been in our family for years!
Green Chicken Enchiladas – The sauce for the Green Chicken Enchiladas is tangy and savory and smoky and only slightly spicy. The enchiladas are loaded with rotisserie chicken plus some spices and are wrapped in a flour tortilla.
DIY Chipotle Burrito Bowl – If you’ve been a big fan of the Chipotle Burrito Bowl for as long as you can remember, here’s how to make it at home!
Taco Salad – A majorly loaded taco salad topped with fried tortilla strips, lots of avocado, and cheese!
Ground Chicken Tacos – Taco night has been a weekly occurrence for me since I was a kid. So it’s no wonder that I come up with various taco recipes on a regular basis. This one is my most favorite quick and easy weeknight meal when I have no more than 15 minutes to get dinner on the table!
Chicken Tinga Tacos – Shredded chicken cooked in the most crazy delicious spiced sauce on the planet and then stuffed in a taco is absolute perfection.
Chicken Nachos with Avocado Salsa – I mean, it’s BBQ Chicken, tortilla chips, avocado salsa and an obscene amount of cheese. What’s not to love? It’s served on a sheet tray, no serving dishes are needed. It will rock your world!
Poblano Chicken Fajitas – You know those nights when you’re like, WTF should I make? I have them more than I care to admit and 99% of the time my answer comes in the form of fajitas. Theyre packed with various bell peppers, onions and my most favorite part…. poblano peppers! You can serve this up on top of a salad, wrapped up in a tortilla, tossed with some quinoa or rice or just eat it on it’s own and add a giant dollop of guacamole on top. Bonus – doubles as the best lunch to take to work the following day.
Chicken Fajita Skillet Quinoa Bake – It’s everything you love about fajitas, mixed with some quinoa, doused with salsa, topped with plenty of cheese and then baked to perfection. It’s a great weeknight meal and incredible as leftovers!
Cheesy Taco Pasta – Remember that cheesy taco pasta your mom used to make when you were a kid… this is it! But even better! Its packed full of flavor, takes less than 30 minutes to make, is loaded with cheese and is guaranteed to make even the pickiest eater happy!
Enfrijoladas – Imagine your favorite chicken enchiladas but instead of dredging them in enchilada sauce, you use a homemade black bean puree! Its incredible
Cheesy Chicken Taco Chili Pasta – This Cheesy Chicken Taco Chili Pasta has taco flavors, tons of salsa, some beans, and all the cheese. It’s my ideal meal for many reasons including the fact that it’s all made in 1 pot. EVERYTHING.
ROAST CHICKEN + SPATCHCOCK CHICKEN
Zuni Roasted Whole Chicken with Chimichurri – The best Roasted Whole Chicken with a foolproof method for the most crispy skin! Its one of my all-time favorite chicken recipes.
Grilled Lemonade Chicken – This Grilled Lemonade Chicken is the perfect summer main course. The lemonade-based marinade is the secret to super flavorful grilled chicken and a nice golden crust.
Lemon Roasted Spatchcock Chicken – A super easy way to make a Lemon Roasted Spatchcock Chicken! In case you haven’t heard of spatchcocking – it’s basically splitting the chicken by removing the backbone and flattening it out so it roasts much faster. And while that might sound complicated – we’ve got a step by step photo tutorial on how to do it!
Dad’s Roasted Cornish Hens – My dads famous Roasted Cornish Hens recipe that he makes us for special occasions! Its the perfect festive (but easy) dinner at home!
Paprika Roasted Chicken – Is there really anything better than a Paprika Roasted Chicken? Whip out the roasting pan, slather a chicken with spices and then roast it in the oven for a little over and hour, so by the time it’s cooked, your entire home smells like the most delicious meal ever!
Chicken Larb Bowls – Chicken Larb over coconut lime rice is truly a match made in heaven. If youre looking for chicken recipes your family will love this is it!!
Chicken Kofta Kebabs – Chicken Kofta Kebabs are a great recipe to feed a crowd. The chicken mixture is made with ground chicken, zucchini, tons of herbs and a little tahini to give it some extra pizzaz.
Chicken Lasagna Roll Ups – A spin on one of my favorite dishes of all times from Don Angies in NYC. These Chicken Lasagna Roll Ups will rock your world!
Lebanese Chicken Meatballs – These bowls are loaded with everything you would normally wrap up in a warm pita, but instead over a bed of crisp greens, so youre not missing out on any of your favorite flavors!
Chicken Rigatoni with Vodka Sauce – It’s three of my favorite things folded into one recipe: pasta, chicken and a creamy VODKA SAUCE!! The rigatoni is the perfect pasta for this because the sauce and the chicken gets wedged into the center of the pasta and it makes for the MOST perfect bite of all times.
Cheesy Taco Pasta – You know that cheesy, taco flavored pasta your mom would make when you were a kid – THIS IS IT!
Chicken Mushroom Larb Bowls (with coconut rice!) – Mushrooms add so much flavor and depth to chicken recipes and it’s upping the ante on one of my favorite bowls from my cookbook.
Sun Dried Tomato Pasta with Chicken Meatballs – These cheesy chicken meatballs are loaded with plenty of spices, a few herbs and tons of cheese, then added to a cheesy sauce and it’s like a match made in Italian food heaven. Each bite is better than the last and you’ll want to keep it in the dinner rotation on a weekly basis!
Cheddar Jalapeno Chicken Burgers with Guacamole – If youre stuck in a burger rut this juicy chicken burger is the answer. Its not only stuffed with shredded cheddar cheese, cilantro and jalapeños, but it’s enhanced even more with the addition of guac, sour cream, and some pico. Its incredible.
Chicken Bolognese – This Chicken Bolognese is one of my favorite chicken recipes these days. It’s quick and easy to whip up on any night of the week and both kids and adults love it. Id even keep some stocked in your freezer for a rainy day.
