Craving butter chicken and naan? Make it at home

By the FeedMeNot team. Updated 3 November 2026.

Why you crave it

Butter chicken is sweetness from tomato, richness from butter and cream, and a mild smoky edge. People crave it when they want comfort food that needs no effort. The creamy tomato base is the part that matters, and you can make that at home in the time a delivery order takes to arrive.

Before you order: take the 20 minute pause

A craving usually peaks and fades. Start the craving timer and rate the urge. If it is still strong after twenty minutes, this recipe is a better answer than a delivery order, and you will have a hot meal ready in about the same time.

Ingredients

• 500 g boneless chicken, cut into pieces
• 2 tbsp curd, 1 tsp ginger garlic paste, 1 tsp Kashmiri chilli powder, 1/2 tsp garam masala, salt (for marinating)
• 4 ripe tomatoes, roughly chopped
• 1 small onion, chopped
• 6 cashews
• 2 tbsp butter plus 1 tbsp oil
• 2 tbsp fresh cream or 1 tbsp malai
• 1 tsp kasuri methi, crushed, and 1 tsp sugar or honey (optional)

Method

1. Marinate the chicken with the marinade ingredients for 20 minutes while you prepare the base.
2. In a pan, heat half the butter, cook the onion, tomatoes and cashews with a little water for 10 minutes until soft, then blend into a smooth puree.
3. Sear the marinated chicken in a hot pan with a little oil until lightly browned on the edges. It does not have to be fully cooked.
4. Melt the remaining butter in a clean pan, add the puree, 1/2 tsp chilli powder and salt, and simmer for 8 minutes.
5. Add the chicken and cook for 8 to 10 minutes until done.
6. Finish with cream, kasuri methi and a pinch of sugar. Serve with rotis or rice.

What this costs compared with delivery

The home cost above is a rough range for the ingredients, based on typical retail prices. Delivery apps add fees, taxes and often a tip on top of the dish price. To see what your own habit costs over a year, use the food delivery cost calculator, or compare one meal in the delivery vs home cooking calculator.

Common questions

More craving swaps

• Craving pizza? Tawa pizza on roti or pita
• Craving burger? Crispy aloo tikki burger
• Craving momos? Steamed vegetable momos with red chutney
• All craving swaps