RECIPE 07 · ONE-PAN MEALS
Easy butter chicken
This straightforward butter chicken is made in one deep pan, with no overnight marinade. Yogurt, warm spices and a little cream bring balance to the tomato sauce, while chicken thighs stay tender as they simmer.
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A richer beginning.
Ace Sabbah forms the tomato base without needing a blender or a second tin of tomatoes. Keep the heat gentle after the cream goes in.
Let’s cook.
Made with Ace Sabbah double-concentrated tomato paste.
- Prep
- 15 min
- Cook
- 35 min
- Total
- 50 min
- Serves / makes
- 4
Times are approximate. 1 tbsp = 15 ml; 1 tsp = 5 ml. Oven temperatures are for a conventional oven.
Ingredients
600 g boneless skinless chicken thighs, cut into 3 cm pieces
100 g plain full-fat yogurt
2 tsp garam masala, divided
1 tsp ground cumin
1 tsp sweet paprika
¾ tsp fine salt, divided
2 tbsp butter
1 small onion, finely diced
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 tbsp grated ginger
4 tbsp Ace Sabbah double-concentrated tomato paste
250 ml water
150 ml whipping cream
1 tbsp chopped coriander, optional
Method
Season the chicken
Mix the chicken with yogurt, 1 tsp garam masala, cumin, paprika and ½ tsp salt. Set aside while preparing the sauce; keep refrigerated if preparing further ahead.
Make the sauce
Melt the butter in a deep pan over medium heat. Soften the onion for 7 minutes. Add the garlic and ginger for 1 minute, then the tomato paste for 2 minutes.
Simmer gently
Stir in the water, remaining garam masala and remaining salt. Add the chicken with its yogurt mixture. Bring to a gentle simmer and cook, partly covered, for 18–20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Finish with cream
Check several chicken pieces with a thermometer: the centres must reach 74°C. Stir in the cream and warm gently for 3 minutes. Adjust seasoning and finish with coriander if using.
At the stove
Full-fat yogurt is less likely to split. A very gentle simmer also keeps the sauce smoother.
At the table
Serve with basmati rice or warm naan.
Internal cooking temperatures follow Health Canada guidance. Check the centre with a food thermometer.