Description
30 minutes to rich, authentic flavor! Sear 1.5 lbs of cubed chicken fast, then build the buttery Garam Masala sauce base right in the skillet. Dinner done instantly.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1.5 lbs Boneless, skinless chicken breast, cubed
- 4 tablespoons Salted butter, divided
- 1 tablespoon Olive oil
- 1 small Yellow onion, diced
- 15 oz can Tomato sauce
- 2 teaspoons Garam Masala
- 1/2 cup Heavy cream
- 1 teaspoon Salt
Instructions
- Step 1: In a large skillet, heat the olive oil and 2 tablespoons of butter over medium-high heat. Add the cubed chicken and sear quickly until browned on all sides (it does not need to be cooked through). Remove the chicken and set aside.
- Step 2: Reduce the heat to medium. Add the diced onion to the same skillet and sauté for 3-4 minutes until softened. Stir in the Garam Masala and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Step 3: Pour the entire can of tomato sauce into the skillet along with the salt. Bring the mixture to a simmer, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom. Return the seared chicken to the skillet and reduce heat to medium-low.
- Step 4: Cover and cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce has thickened slightly and the chicken is cooked through (internal temperature of 165°F).
- Step 5: Turn off the heat. Stir in the remaining 2 tablespoons of cold butter until fully melted, followed by the heavy cream. Stir gently until the sauce is smooth and creamy. Serve immediately over rice or with warmed naan.
Notes
- Leftovers keep beautifully; store the chilled mixture in an airtight container for up to 4 days, but freeze only if you don't mind a slightly altered texture when thawed due to the cream base.
- To avoid separation when reheating, warm gently on the stovetop over low heat, stirring in a splash of water or milk to restore the velvety sauce consistency.
- Finish this rich skillet dish with a squeeze of fresh lime juice and a sprinkle of chopped cilantro right before serving to add a bright, fresh counterpoint to the creamy sauce.
- The final addition of cold butter off the heat is essential for emulsifying the sauce and creating that iconic glossy, restaurant-quality sheen.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 of Skillet Contents (approx. 1.5 cups)
- Calories: 520
- Sodium: 1150mg
- Fat: 33g
- Saturated Fat: 20g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Protein: 6g