This Trader Joe’s Butter Chicken is a creamy and savory recipe, which uses a delicious simmer sauce for a shortcut to the classic Indian dish. It’s the perfect weeknight dinner, ready in about 30 minutes.
Jump to RecipeTrader Joe’s Butter Chicken Ingredients
- 1 tbsp Trader Joe’s Ghee or Unsalted Butter
- 1 package (about 1.5 lbs) Trader Joe’s Boneless, Skinless Chicken Thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 yellow onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 jar Trader Joe’s Masala Simmer Sauce
- ½ cup Trader Joe’s Heavy Cream
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- For Serving:
- Trader Joe’s Frozen Jasmine Rice or Basmati Rice
- Trader Joe’s Frozen Garlic Naan or Plain Naan
- Fresh cilantro, chopped, for garnish
How To Make Trader Joe’s Butter Chicken
- Sear the Chicken: Pat the chicken pieces dry with a paper towel and season with salt and pepper. In a large skillet or Dutch oven, heat the ghee or butter over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook in a single layer until it is browned on all sides. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set it aside.
- Sauté the Aromatics: In the same skillet, add the chopped onion and cook for 5-7 minutes, until softened and translucent. Add the minced garlic and cook for one more minute until fragrant.
- Simmer the Sauce: Pour in the jar of Masala Simmer Sauce and the heavy cream. Stir everything together, scraping up any flavorful browned bits from the bottom of the pan.
- Finish the Dish: Return the browned chicken to the skillet. Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer, then reduce the heat to low, cover, and let it cook for 10-15 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and the sauce has thickened slightly.
- Prepare Sides and Serve: While the chicken is simmering, cook the Trader Joe’s Frozen Jasmine Rice and the Frozen Garlic Naan according to the package directions.
- Garnish and Serve: Taste the butter chicken and season with more salt and pepper if needed. Serve hot over the rice, with the warm naan on the side for dipping. Garnish with fresh cilantro.
Recipe Tips
- How to get the most flavor? The most important step for a deep, rich flavor is to brown the chicken well before you start the sauce. Those caramelized bits in the pan are a secret weapon for a savory sauce.
- What’s the best chicken to use? Boneless, skinless chicken thighs, as suggested, will give you the juiciest and most tender result. They are much more forgiving than chicken breasts in a simmer sauce.
- How to make it extra creamy? The heavy cream is the key to a rich, restaurant-style sauce. Don’t skip it! Whisking it in at the end creates that signature velvety texture.
- Can I make this ahead of time? Absolutely! This dish is a perfect make-ahead meal. In fact, the flavors are often even better the next day after they’ve had time to meld.
What To Serve With Butter Chicken
This is a complete and satisfying meal when served with the classic accompaniments:
- Fluffy Jasmine or Basmati rice
- Warm, buttery Garlic Naan for dipping
- A simple side of cucumber slices or a cooling yogurt raita
How To Store Butter Chicken
- Refrigerate: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
- Reheat: For the best results, reheat the butter chicken gently in a saucepan over low heat until it is warmed through. You can also reheat it in the microwave.
Butter Chicken Nutrition Facts
- Serving: 1/6th of recipe
- Calories: 450 kcal
- Carbohydrates: 25g
- Protein: 38g
- Fat: 25g
- Saturated Fat: 14g
- Sodium: 950mg
Nutrition information is estimated and may vary based on ingredients and cooking methods used.
FAQs
No, Trader Joe’s Masala Simmer Sauce is very mild and flavorful, not spicy. If you’d like to add some heat, you can add a pinch of Trader Joe’s Crushed Red Pepper Flakes or a dash of cayenne pepper to the sauce as it simmers.
Yes, this is very easy to make vegetarian. Simply substitute the chicken with a can of Trader Joe’s Garbanzo Beans (chickpeas) or a package of Trader Joe’s Organic Firm Tofu (cubed and pan-fried).
Yes. For a slow cooker version, follow the steps to sear the chicken and sauté the vegetables on the stovetop first. Then, transfer everything to a crock pot and cook on LOW for 3-4 hours. Stir in the heavy cream during the last 30 minutes of cooking.
Try More Recipes:
- Trader Joe’s Roasted Brussels Sprouts Recipe
- Trader Joe’s Beefless Bulgogi Fried Rice Recipe
- Trader Joe’s Style Stuffed Artichoke Bottoms Recipe
Trader Joe’s Butter Chicken Recipe
Course: DinnerCuisine: AmericanDifficulty: Easy6
servings10
minutes25
minutes450
kcalA quick and easy weeknight dinner that uses Trader Joe’s famous Masala Simmer Sauce to create a rich and creamy butter chicken in under 30 minutes.
Ingredients
1 package Trader Joe’s Boneless, Skinless Chicken Thighs
1 jar Trader Joe’s Masala Simmer Sauce
1 yellow onion & 2 cloves garlic
½ cup Heavy Cream
1 tbsp Ghee or Butter
For Serving: Trader Joe’s Frozen Rice and Garlic Naan
Directions
- Cut the chicken into bite-sized pieces and season with salt and pepper.
- In a large skillet, sear the chicken in hot ghee or butter until browned on all sides. Remove from the skillet.
- In the same skillet, sauté the chopped onion until soft, then add the garlic and cook for 1 minute more.
- Pour in the simmer sauce and the heavy cream, and bring to a simmer.
- Return the chicken to the skillet, cover, and let it simmer for 10-15 minutes until the chicken is cooked through.
- Serve hot over rice with a side of warm garlic naan.
Notes
- Sear the Chicken: The most important tip for a flavorful dish is to brown the chicken well before adding it to the sauce.
- Use Chicken Thighs: For the juiciest, most tender result, use chicken thighs instead of chicken breasts.
- The Ultimate Shortcut: The jar of Trader Joe’s Masala Simmer Sauce is the key that makes this delicious meal so incredibly quick and easy.
- Don’t Forget the Sides: While the chicken simmers, pop your Trader Joe’s frozen rice in the microwave and the naan in the oven for a complete, effortless meal.
