Butter Chicken Pasta (Murgh Makhani Pasta) has all the flavours of creamy luxurious Butter Chicken just with added Pasta. This is an Easy recipe for a deliciously creamy Pasta.
If you like the idea of fusion Pasta dishes, why not try Masala Pasta with Chicken and Cheese?
Recipe updated - January 2023. Simplified to make the recipe quick and easy.
butter chicken pasta
Pasta is made using unleavened dough usually with what flour and water or eggs. It is formed into sheets or shapes and is a staple food of Italian cuisine.
This is a fusion of Italian and Indian Cuisine.
There is nothing as satisfying and comforting as a bowl of Pasta and in this version the pasta is combined with the most delicious sauce too.
Indian Butter Chicken Pasta has a silky luscious sauce made with plenty of cream and spices and surprisingly the sauce works really well with Pasta!
what kind of pasta is best for this recipe?
My favourite pasta to use in Butter Chicken Pasta is:
Farfelle, Fusilli or Conchiglie Pasta but you can use any small or medium pasta shape.
Other good options are penne, rigatoni, macaroni or spaghetti.
what chicken goes in butter chicken pasta?
I use boneless, skinless chicken breast, but boneless chicken thighs also work as well as leftover shredded chicken.
ingredients in the sauce
This Butter Chicken Pasta is divine! There is a long ingredient list but the recipe itself is easy. Here is what you need:
Onion base: Diced red or white Onions cooked in Oil and Butter.
Ginger, Garlic and Green Chilli: These are usually added to the base of most indian foods and they add another layer of delicious flavour.
Dry Spices: Bolster the sauce with a mixture of Ground Indian Spices.
Tomato paste: I always add a squeeze of this for concentrated tomato flavour.
Tandoori Powder - 1 ½ tablespoon adds a distinctive smoky flavour.
Double Cream - Makes the dish creamy and comforting. You can add some butter for part of the cream if you like.
Honey - To balance out the acidic flavours. You can also add some sugar if you prefer.
Kasuri Methi/Dry Fenugreek - Adds an earthiness. Can be skipped.
Garam Masala or Curry Powder - Adding a little bit adds alot of flavour.
Can I add cheese to Butter Chicken Pasta?
I like to add a sprinkling of cheese at the end but it isn’t essential. My preference is grated strong cheddar or mozzarella.
how to make butter chicken pasta
FULL INSTRUCTIONS ARE AT THE BOTTOM OF THE PAGE:
Boil the Pasta according to pack instructions minus 2 minutes. It should be al dente. Drain in a large bowl set over a colander so you can reserve the pasta water. Drizzle a little oil over the Pasta.
Make Curry base by heating Oil and a knob of butter.
Add Onions. Once light golden brown (5 minutes) add Ginger, Garlic and Green Chilli.
Add Ground Spices plus Salt. Add a splash of Water.
Add Tomato Puree and cook for 2 minutes.
Add Pasta Water. Cook for 5 minutes to reduce a little.
Add chicken and Tandoori powder and cook covered on medium low for 10 minutes.
Add Honey, Dry Fenugreek and Cream and mix in.
Add Pasta. Cook for 2 minutes and serve.
tips for butter chicken pasta recipe
Grate Cheese yourself
If you are adding cheese, grate it yourself. Pre grated cheese has a coating that prevents it from clumping together but I think it also prevents it from melting properly.
Keep Chicken pieces large
If you cut them too small, they can overcook and become rubbery.
Cook Pasta for 2 minutes less then the package says
The Pasta continues to cook when it is added to the sauce so I always undercook to begin with.
Add Pasta water
For a silky smooth sauce that clings to the pasta, add some of the pasta water.
Garam Masala
Store brought Garam Masala varies a lot between brands in strength and flavour. So use a little and taste before adding more.
Kasuri Methi/Dry Fenugreek
This recipe is easily adaptable so if you don’t have some of the more difficult to find ingredients such as Kasuri Methi just leave them out.
Honey
You can use 1 teaspoon Sugar in place of the Honey.
butter chicken pasta variations
Swap Meat: Swap the chicken for prawns, ground chicken, ground beef, shredded rotisserie chicken or sausage.
Add Veg: Add your favourite veg such as sweetcorn, mushrooms, courgette, peppers or spinach to the sauce.
Use a store brought sauce: Such as Dolmio Bolognese. If you do that, taste and adjust seasoning and sugar if needed.
Make gluten-free. Use your favorite gluten free pasta to make it GF.
Crunchy topping. Add panko breadcrumbs on top with some cheese and stick underer the grill for a crunchy topped pasta bake.
can Butter Chicken Pasta made ahead of time?
This Butter Chicken Pasta can be prepped ahead and kept in an airtight container for up to a day ahead. To reheat, place in the microwave or reheat on the stove with a couple of tablespoons of water.
storage for Butter Chicken Pasta
Fridge
Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.
Reheat - Microwave in a bowl in 30 second intervals until warmed through. To reheat on the stove, reheat gently, stirring occasionally.
How to freeze Butter Chicken Pasta
Butter Chicken Pasta is best eaten fresh, but it can be frozen:
- Let it cool to room temperature and transfer to a freezer safe container.
- Freeze for up to 3 months.
- Allow to thaw completely in the fridge overnight. Reheat as per instructions above.
what to serve with butter chicken pasta
Pasta is always best served with a big Salad and Garlic Bread.
you can try it with:
looking for more easy pasta recipes?
Marks and Spencer Copycat Spinach, Pesto and Pine Nut Pasta
One Pot Lemon Chicken and Thyme Orzo
**if you make something from tiffin and tea, i would love to see your creations! don’t forget to rate this recipe and leave a comment below! we love to hear from you. safira x
Butter Chicken Pasta
Ingredients
- 500 g Pasta Any medium shape you like
- 3 tablespoon Oil Vegetable
- 1 tablespoon Butter
- 2 Onions Diced
- 6 Garlic Cloves Crushed
- 1 teaspoon Ginger Crushed
- 1 teaspoon Green Chilli Paste Optional
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- ½ teaspoon Coriander Powder
- 1 ½ teaspoon Cumin Powder
- ½ teaspoon Red Chilli Powder
- 1 teaspoon Smoked Paprika
- 1 teaspoon Garam Masala
- 2 tablespoon Tomato Puree
- 350 ml Pasta Water
- 1 lb Chicken Breast diced
- 1 ½ tablespoon Tandoori Powder
- 1 teaspoon Honey
- 1 ½ teaspoon Dry Fenugreek
- 125 ml Double Cream
Instructions
- Boil the Pasta according to pack instructions minus 2 minutes. It should be al dente. Drain in a large bowl set over a colander so you can reserve the pasta water. Drizzle a little oil over the Pasta.
- Make Curry base by heating Oil and a knob of butter.
- Add Onions. Once light golden brown (5 minutes) add Ginger, Garlic and Green Chilli.
- Add Salt, Coriander Powder, Cumin Powder, Red Chilli Powder, Smoked Paprika, Garam Masala. Add a splash of Water. Cook for 3 - 4 minutes on medium high.
- Add Tomato Puree and cook for 2 minutes.
- Add Pasta Water. Boil for 5 minutes to reduce a little.
- Add Chicken and Tandoori powder and cook covered on medium low for 10 minutes.
- Add Honey, Dry Fenugreek and Cream and mix in.
- Add Pasta. Cook for 2 minutes and serve.
Notes
tips for butter chicken pasta recipe
Grate Cheese yourself
If you are adding cheese, grate it yourself. Pre grated cheese has a coating that prevents it from clumping together but I think it also prevents it from melting properly.Keep Chicken pieces large
If you cut them too small, they can overcook and become rubbery.Cook Pasta for 2 minutes less then the package says
The Pasta continues to cook when it is added to the sauce so I always undercook to begin with.Add Pasta water
For a silky smooth sauce that clings to the pasta, add some of the pasta water.Garam Masala
Store brought Garam Masala varies a lot between brands in strength and flavour. So use a little and taste before adding more.Kasuri Methi/Dry Fenugreek
This recipe is easily adaptable so if you don’t have some of the more difficult to find ingredients such as Kasuri Methi just leave them out.Honey
You can use 1 teaspoon Sugar in place of the Honey.butter chicken pasta variations
Swap Meat: Swap the chicken for prawns, ground chicken, ground beef, shredded rotisserie chicken or sausage. Add Veg: Add your favourite veg such as sweetcorn, mushrooms, courgette, peppers or spinach to the sauce. Use a store brought sauce: Such as Dolmio Bolognese. If you do that, taste and adjust seasoning and sugar if needed. Make gluten-free. Use your favorite gluten free pasta to make it GF. Crunchy topping. Add panko breadcrumbs on top with some cheese and stick underer the grill for a crunchy topped pasta bake.can Butter Chicken Pasta made ahead of time?
This Butter Chicken Pasta can be prepped ahead and kept in an airtight container for up to a day ahead. To reheat, place in the microwave or reheat on the stove with a couple of tablespoons of water.storage for Butter Chicken Pasta
Fridge
Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. Reheat - Microwave in a bowl in 30 second intervals until warmed through. To reheat on the stove, reheat gently, stirring occasionally.How to freeze Butter Chicken Pasta
Butter Chicken Pasta is best eaten fresh, but it can be frozen:- Let it cool to room temperature and transfer to a freezer safe container.
- Freeze for up to 3 months.
- Allow to thaw completely in the fridge overnight. Reheat as per instructions above.
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