Homemade Butter Chicken With Coconut Milk

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This Homemade Butter Chicken With Coconut Milk is everything you crave on a cozy night in—rich, comforting, and layered with warm spices that hug every bite. Tender chicken simmers in a silky tomato-based sauce enriched with coconut milk, giving you that classic butter chicken feel with a dairy-light twist that’s just as indulgent.

What makes this version special is how approachable it is. You don’t need hard-to-find ingredients or restaurant-level skills to pull it off. With a few pantry spices, simple prep, and one pan, you’ll have a deeply flavorful dinner that feels special enough for guests yet easy enough for a weeknight.

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What Makes Butter Chicken With Coconut Milk So Creamy?

Traditional butter chicken relies heavily on cream and butter for its signature richness. Coconut milk steps in beautifully here, offering a naturally creamy texture with a subtle sweetness that balances the acidity of tomatoes and the warmth of spices. It creates a velvety sauce that coats the chicken without feeling heavy, making this version both comforting and lighter on the palate.

Ingredients for the Homemade Butter Chicken With Coconut Milk

Chicken – Boneless chicken is the heart of the dish, soaking up all the spices and staying tender as it simmers.

Coconut Milk – This replaces heavy cream, adding richness and a gentle sweetness that smooths out the spices.

Tomatoes – Crushed or puréed tomatoes form the base of the sauce, giving it depth and a slight tang.

Butter – Just enough to bring that classic butter chicken flavor and round out the sauce.

Onion – Builds the savory foundation and adds natural sweetness once softened.

Garlic and Ginger – Essential aromatics that give the dish its signature warmth and complexity.

Spices – Garam masala, paprika, turmeric, and cumin create that unmistakable butter chicken profile.

Salt – Brings all the flavors into balance.

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How To Make the Homemade Butter Chicken With Coconut Milk

Step 1: Season and Prepare the Chicken

Cut the chicken into bite-sized pieces and season lightly with salt and spices. This ensures every piece is flavorful from the inside out.

Step 2: Sauté the Aromatics

Melt butter in a wide pan over medium heat. Add chopped onion and cook until soft and golden, then stir in garlic and ginger until fragrant.

Step 3: Bloom the Spices

Sprinkle in the spices and toast them briefly in the butter and aromatics. This step deepens their flavor and releases their aroma.

Step 4: Build the Sauce

Pour in the tomatoes and let the mixture simmer until slightly thickened and rich in color. This creates the backbone of the sauce.

Step 5: Add Chicken and Coconut Milk

Stir in the chicken pieces followed by the coconut milk. Reduce the heat and let everything simmer gently until the chicken is cooked through and the sauce turns silky.

Step 6: Finish and Adjust

Taste and adjust seasoning as needed. A final small knob of butter can be stirred in for extra gloss and flavor.

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Serving and Storing Homemade Butter Chicken With Coconut Milk

This dish is best served warm, straight from the pan, when the sauce is at its creamiest. Leftovers store beautifully—keep them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. Reheat gently on the stovetop to maintain the sauce’s texture.

What to Serve With Homemade Butter Chicken With Coconut Milk?

Steamed Basmati Rice

Fluffy rice soaks up the rich sauce perfectly.

Warm Naan Bread

Ideal for scooping up every last bit of sauce.

Cucumber Yogurt Salad

A cool, refreshing contrast to the warm spices.

Simple Lentils

Adds protein and keeps the meal hearty.

Roasted Vegetables

Cauliflower or carrots pair beautifully with the spices.

Light Green Salad

Keeps the meal balanced and fresh.

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Want More Comforting Chicken Dinner Ideas?

If you enjoyed this Homemade Butter Chicken With Coconut Milk, you’ll probably love exploring other comforting favorites on ChefAlchemy:

• Creamy Garlic Chicken Breasts for a rich, skillet-style dinner.
• Marry Me Chicken when you want something indulgent and impressive.
• Chicken Marsala Casserole for a cozy baked twist.
• Bang Bang Chicken if you’re craving bold, saucy flavor.
• Chicken Pomodoro for a lighter, tomato-forward option.

For even more inspiration and daily recipe ideas, follow along on Pinterest and save your favorites from ChefAlchemy: https://www.pinterest.com/chefalchemy/

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Let me know how yours turned out. Did you keep it mild or add extra spice? I love hearing how you make these recipes your own—questions and twists are always welcome!

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