Butter Chicken Simmer Sauce

If you want a restaurant-type buttery chicken without spending hours in the kitchen, then this butter chicken simmer sauce recipe is for you. Whether you are cooking for your family or friends, this recipe will be the best for you. We guarantee that after tasting this, you will forget your favorite restaurant. The blend of tomatoes, cream, spices, and a touch of sweetness will give you the best butter chicken experience. So, without further delay, let’s know how to make this secret sauce.

What Is Butter Chicken Simmer Sauce Made Of?

Well, this butter chicken simmer sauce is also known as murgh makhani sauce. This Indian butter chicken sauce is very tasty and requires only a few simple ingredients to prepare. Here is the list of ingredients, which you can easily get at your nearest supermarket.

Tomatoes (Fresh or Canned)

This is the main ingredient of this tomato butter curry sauce. It gives the sauce a tangy flavor and deep red color. If you don’t find fresh tomatoes in the market, you can use crushed tomatoes or tomato puree.

Cream or Coconut Milk

Well, in general, heavy cream is used to get that creamy texture. But if you need a lighter, dairy-free version, then you can use full-fat coconut milk, which will work perfectly. It will give you a smooth, velvety texture of perfect Indian creamy curry sauce.

Butter or Ghee

Butter adds gravy and rich flavor to the sauce. You can use ghee as well, which is also clarified butter. this is very popular in Indian cooking and gives a good taste.

Garlic and Ginger

These two are the backbone of almost all Indian cooking sauces. It adds a warmth and depth of flavor to the sauce. Freshly minced garlic and ginger will give the best taste to the sauce.

Onion

Onions will add a natural sweetness to the sauce. When you add this to the sauce, it will balance the tomatoes’ acidity.

Garam Masala Blend

This spice mix will give the butter chicken sauce a signature flavor. It’s a mix of cumin, coriander, cinnamon, cloves, and cardamom. You can buy it ready-made or make your own.

Chili Powder or Paprika

For that mild spice and rich color. You can add some spice depending on your taste.

Sugar or Honey

You need to add a small amount to help balance the taste of the tomatoes. Don’t worry it will not make your sauce sweet.

Salt & Pepper

You need salt and pepper, which will bring out all the flavors in the sauce.

Fresh Cilantro (Optional)

If you add Chopped Cilantro, it will add a fresh touch at the end.

How To Make Butter Chicken Simmer Sauce?

This sauce is very easy to make. The best part is that it only takes 20–25 minutes to prepare. 

Step 1: Sauté Your Aromatics

First, add 1 tablespoon of olive oil (or butter) to a pan on medium heat. Add one chopped onion and let it cook for about 4–5 minutes until it turns soft and slightly golden. Then, add 3–4 cloves of minced garlic and a tablespoon of freshly grated ginger. Stir for 30 seconds until the smell comes out.

Step 2: Add Tomatoes

Now add tomatoes, crushed tomatoes, or tomato puree, whatever you have, and let it simmer for 5–6 minutes. The heat will melt the tomatoes. These ingredients are the base of your tomato cream curry sauce.

Step 3: Spice It Up

Add the special garam masala blend, about 1 tablespoon. After that, add a pinch of chili powder or paprika and some salt and pepper to taste. Stir everything together so that the spices will mix well to the tomato base.

Step 4: Creamy Goodness

Now, half of your butter chicken simmer sauce is ready. Now, add one can of full-fat coconut milk or 1/2 cup of heavy cream if you’re not going dairy-free. Stir it well and cook on a low flame for another 8–10 minutes. At this point, the sauce’s thickness will turn into a creamy texture.

Step 5: Add the Finishing Touches

Now you can add a tablespoon of lemon juice for flavour (Optional). 

Step 6: Adjust the Flavors

Now, taste your sauce. What happened? Need a bit more spice? Ok, then add more chili flakes. Like this: if your sauce is too thick, then add a little bit of water to it. This is your sauce, so make it yours.

What Is The Difference Between Butter Chicken and Tikka Masala Sauce?

Both of them are very tasty and famous sauces among people. The recipes for both sauces are almost the same, but there are some differences between them. See the table below, and you will understand it.

Feature	Butter Chicken Sauce	Tikka Masala Sauce
Origin	North India (Delhi)	UK (Indian-British fusion dish)
Flavor	Creamy, buttery, slightly sweet	Spicier, tangier, more tomato-heavy
Base Ingredients	Butter, cream, tomatoes, garam masala	Tomato, cream/yogurt, stronger spice blend
Texture	Smooth, rich, velvety	Slightly chunky with more heat
Alternate Name	Murgh makhani sauce	Common in Indian restaurants as a spicier option
Ideal For	Curry lovers and kids	People who prefer bold, spicier curry flavors
Also Called	Indian creamy curry sauce, rich curry sauce	Sometimes mistaken for butter chicken curry base

Important Tips for Butter Chicken Simmer Sauce

• If you use coconut milk, then use full-fat milk for a rich, creamy texture.
• Sauté onions well; this adds depth and natural sweetness to the sauce.
• Always cook the sauce on low heat to avoid curdling the cream or coconut milk.
• Taste as you go. Add more garam masala, chili, or lemon juice according to your taste.
• Don’t skip the acid. Add a splash of lemon or vinegar to brighten the whole dish.
• Cook your chicken first, then add it to the sauce.
• You can store this Indian butter chicken sauce in the fridge for 4–5 days.

Final Thoughts

So, what more to say? We don’t want you to wait longer to have this homemade butter chicken simmer sauce. Whether you have a craving for butter chicken or want to surprise someone special, this recipe is for you. Thanks for your time. For more delicious secret recipes, please follow us.