Butter Chicken — or Murgh Makhani — is the single most searched Indian curry recipe in the world. And for good reason: that rich, creamy, mildly spiced tomato sauce is the dish that turned millions of people into Indian food lovers. The problem? Most recipes call for overnight marinating, a separate tandoor step, and a long list of processes that turn a weeknight dinner into a weekend project. This one-pot version skips all of that. You marinate the chicken for just 10 minutes while you make the sauce in the same pot, then combine everything and simmer. Thirty minutes, one pot, restaurant-quality results.
At Pick N Save, we've been helping customers perfect their Butter Chicken since 1999. We stock the exact spices, ghee, and tomato products that make the difference between a good Butter Chicken and a great one. TFS Butter Chicken Masala is our house favourite — it's blended specifically for this dish and saves you measuring out eight individual spices. Pair it with KTC Butter Ghee for that authentic richness and Fudco Kashmiri Chilli for the signature deep orange colour without aggressive heat. This is the recipe our Harrow customers swear by.
Cut 600g of boneless chicken thighs into bite-sized pieces (about 3cm chunks). Chicken thighs are essential here — they stay juicy and tender in the sauce, unlike breast which dries out. In a bowl, mix the chicken with 3 tablespoons of natural yogurt (Continental Low Fat Natural Yogurt or Desi Natural Yogurt work perfectly), 1 teaspoon of TFS Butter Chicken Masala, ½ teaspoon of Kashmiri chilli powder, ½ teaspoon of turmeric, and a pinch of salt. Mix well and set aside while you start the sauce — even 10 minutes of marinating makes a noticeable difference.
Heat 2 tablespoons of KTC Butter Ghee in a large, heavy-bottomed pot or deep pan over medium heat. Once the ghee is shimmering, add 1 teaspoon of cumin seeds (Fudco Cumin Seeds) and let them sizzle for 10 seconds until fragrant. Add 1 large onion, finely diced, and cook for 5–6 minutes, stirring occasionally, until soft and light golden. Now add 1 tablespoon of Fudco Ginger Garlic Paste (or use Taj Ginger Garlic Crushed) and cook for 1 minute until the raw smell disappears.
Add 1 tin of KTC Chopped Tomatoes (400g) to the pot. Stir in 1 tablespoon of TFS Butter Chicken Masala, 1 teaspoon of TFS Garam Masala, 1 teaspoon of Kashmiri chilli powder (TFS Kashmiri Mild Chilli Powder — this gives the classic orange-red colour without the burn), ½ teaspoon of ground coriander (TFS Dhana Coriander Powder), and salt to taste. Stir everything together, reduce the heat to low, and let the sauce simmer for 8–10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the tomatoes break down completely and the oil starts to separate from the masala. This is the sign that your sauce base is properly cooked.
For that authentic restaurant-style silky texture, blend the sauce using a hand blender directly in the pot — or transfer to a jug blender and blend until completely smooth, then return to the pot. This step takes 30 seconds and makes a massive difference. If you prefer a chunkier, more rustic sauce, skip this step entirely — it will still taste incredible.
Bring the sauce back to a gentle simmer. Add the marinated chicken pieces directly into the sauce — no need to cook them separately. Stir to coat every piece in the sauce. Cover the pot and cook on medium-low heat for 12–15 minutes, stirring halfway through, until the chicken is fully cooked and tender. The chicken will release some liquid as it cooks, which enriches the sauce beautifully.
This is where the magic happens. Add 2 tablespoons of cold salted butter (Anchor Butter Salted), cut into cubes, and 100ml of double cream. Stir gently until the butter melts and the sauce turns that iconic rich, glossy, orange-gold colour. Add 1 teaspoon of honey or sugar to balance the acidity of the tomatoes — this is the restaurant secret most home recipes miss. Taste and adjust salt. If you have dried fenugreek leaves (kasuri methi), crush a tablespoon between your palms and sprinkle it in — it adds that unmistakable Butter Chicken aroma.
Every single ingredient for this recipe is available at picknsave.co.uk with home delivery across London and the UK, or click and collect from our store in Harrow. Here's your shopping list:
*RI = Reference Intake. Values are approximate and may vary based on ingredients.
