Butter Chicken, Garlic Naan & Spicy Okra
Craving bold Indian flavors? Discover the ultimate comfort combo of Creamy Butter Chicken, Garlic Naan, and Spicy Okra—a mouthwatering trio that’s rich, aromatic, and irresistibly satisfying.
Ingredients you’ll need for the butter chicken:
- chicken thighs, or chicken breasts
- kashmiri red chili powder, or regular chili powder
- salt
- lemon
- ginger
- garlic
- yogurt
- garam masala
- ground turmeric
- ground cumin
- dried fenugreek leaves, or dried oregano
- olive oil
- butter
- cinnamon sticks, or ground cinnamon
- green cardamom
- whole cloves
- yellow onions
- tomatoes
- cashews
- honey
How to Make Homemade Naan:
Homemade Naan is one of my favorite Fall comfort foods to make with butter chicken, tikka masala, cheesy naan, and more. I used my Homemade Naan recipe (click here for the blogpost) and added 3 minced garlic cloves into the dough itself, then brushed on a butter-minced garlic-parsley mixture after cooking.
Can Butter Chicken be Made in Advance? How to store and reheat?
Yes, Butter Chicken can absolutely be made in advance, and it often tastes even better the next day as the flavors deepen.
How to Store:
- Refrigerate: Let the butter chicken cool completely, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3–4 days.
- Freeze: For longer storage, freeze in a sealed container for up to 3 months. Portioning it helps with easier reheating.
How to Reheat:
- Stovetop (Best Method): Reheat gently in a pan over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally. Add a splash of water, cream, or milk if the sauce has thickened too much.
- Microwave: Heat in short intervals (1–2 minutes), stirring in between to ensure even heating.
- From Frozen: Thaw overnight in the fridge, then reheat as above.
Substitutions for cashews in the butter chicken:
If you’re looking to substitute cashews in Butter Chicken, here are some great alternatives:
- Almonds – Blanched and blended, they offer a similar creamy texture and mild flavor.
- Sunflower seeds – Budget-friendly and nut-free, great when blended smooth.
- Coconut cream – Adds richness with a subtle sweetness, good for dairy-free versions.
- Heavy cream or yogurt – Traditional dairy options for creaminess if not avoiding dairy.
- Silken tofu – A vegan, protein-rich alternative that blends into a creamy texture.
Cook with me!
Butter Chicken, Garlic Naan, & Spicy Okra
Ingredients
For the Garlic Naan:
- 1 batch Homemade Naan recipe linked
- 5 Garlic Cloves divided
- 3 tbsp. Butter melted
- 2 tbsp. Olive Oil
- 1/2 tsp. Fine Sea Salt
- 1/4 cup Fresh Parsley chopped
For the Butter Chicken:
(pt.1) For the First Marinade:
- 1 1/2 lbs. Chicken Thighs cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 tsp. Kashmiri Red Chili Powder or regular chili powder
- 1 tsp. Salt
- Juice of 1 Lemon
(pt. 2) For the Second Marinade:
- 1/2 cup Plain Yogurt
- 1 tbsp. Ginger-Garlic Paste or 2 garlic cloves and 1" fresh ginger
- 1 tsp. EACH: Garam Masala, Ground Cumin, Dried Fenugreek Leaves
- 1/2 tsp. Ground Turmeric
(pt. 3) For the Sauce:
- 1 tbsp. Olive Oil
- 1 Yellow Onion
- 1 lb. Tomatoes quartered
- 1/3 cup Cashews soaked in hot water for 10 minutes
- 3 tbsp. Butter
- 2 Cinnamon Sticks or replace with 1 tsp. ground cinnamon
- 4 Green Cardamom
- 4 Whole Cloves
- 1 tbsp. Honey
- 1 tsp. EACH: Ground Cumin, Kashmiri Red Chili Powder, Garam Masala
- 1/3 cup Heavy Cream
For the Spicy Okra:
- 1-2 lbs. Okra
- 3 tbsp. Olive Oil
- 1 tsp. EACH: Ground Coriander Ground Cumin, Smoked Paprika, Cayenne, & Salt
- Lemon Wedges for serving
Instructions
For the Garlic Naan:
- Make the dough according to recipe instructions. Add the three cloves of minced garlic directly into the dough before first rise.
- In a bowl, combine the remaining minced garlic, chopped parsley, melted butter, olive oil, and salt. Brush on the cooked naan before serving.
For the Butter Chicken:
- Combine all first marinade ingredients together in a large bowl. Mix well, then cover to marinate in the fridge 20-30 minutes.
- Combine all second marinade ingredients into the chicken bowl and mix until very well combined. Marinate in the fridge for 1 hour to overnight. The more time you allow, the more flavor will develop and tender the chicken will become.
- In a large skillet, add the olive oil, onion, and tomatoes. Saute for 5-6 minutes, until fragrant and slightly caramelized. Transfer to a high speed blender to pulse with the soaked cashews (drained) until very smooth. Set aside.
- In the same skillet, add the butter, cinnamon, green cardamom, and whole cloves. Cook for 1-2 minutes, until fragrant and butter is slightly browned.
- Remove the butter and spices to a small bowl.
- Add the chicken to the skillet for 4-5 minutes, adding a drizzle of olive oil as needed.
- Add the tomato sauce, butter & spices, honey, remaining ground spices, and heavy cream. Stir until well combined. Simmer for 10 minutes.
To Make the Spicy Okra:
- Preheat oven to 425F. Line a baking pan with parchment paper.
- Add the okra to the prepared pan. Drizzle with the olive oil, then add the spices to toss until well combined.
- Roast for 12-15 minutes, until tender and slightly charred. Enjoy warm!
I truly hope you all enjoy this treasured recipe that has nestled its way into our hearts here in the ABM kitchen! ’till next time… xxL
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” ~ Jeremiah 29:11 NIV
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I tried the butter chicken recipe and it was so easy and delicious. Will surely be making this again!
Only made the butter chicken component, but oh my god so delicious! Definitely a keeper.
This took me a second try to make perfectly, but this is literally one of the best recipes I’ve tried. So good! I’ve had so many friends try it too!
Made this last night for dinner and it was a hit!! Delicious, super easy and easy to prep ahead
This looks great! Can I substitute chicken breast?
Yes! You can make it with either chicken breasts or chicken thighs. Hope you enjoy!
Thank you for sharing this amazing recipe!!
I made this for my mother’s birthday. It was a hit, even with the picky eaters!
Soft texture and bold flavor make Butter Garlic Naan unforgettable
I made the butter chicken & naan breads for dinner tonight and they came out perfect. I’m freezing the extra naans for our next curry, they are gorgeous!