Easiest Butter Chicken Soup Recipe: Comfort in Every Spoonful

Butter chicken soup recipe has always been my go-to comfort dish whenever I want something rich, creamy, and satisfying, but don’t have hours to spend in the kitchen. It gives you all the flavors of the classic butter chicken, but with a lighter, soupier twist, and the best part? You can make it in just 30 minutes.

As it takes a very little amount of time, this is perfect for busy weeknights when you’re craving that indulgent, hearty taste of butter chicken but don’t want the hassle of a long cooking process. So, if you’re ready to cook this amazing Indian-inspired dish, then let’s start making it.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe?

You’ll love this Butter Chicken Soup Recipe for a ton of reasons.

1. Flavor and taste: The flavor of this recipe is out of this world! The creamy, buttery base with the warm spices is comfort in a bowl. The soup is rich, velvety, and perfectly balanced with the right amount of heat and depth.
2. Time-saving: Let’s be honest – No one wants to spend hours in the kitchen after the day’s work. And this recipe is built for them. In just 30 minutes, you’ll have a hearty, comforting meal ready to go. No long hours is needed to spend in the kitchen anymore.
3. Cleaning made easy: Cleaning up after cooking is the worst part of a meal, right? Well, with this butter chicken soup recipe, you won’t have to worry about mountains of dishes. The recipe is super simple, and you won’t find yourself scrubbing a ton of pots and pans afterward, I promise! This is one of my favorite recipes of all time, just because I don’t have to do much work after eating or cooking, which is really great. After all, I am also a mom who needs some rest after all the duties.

These are some of the main reasons, but what I felt is that this butter chicken soup recipe is an amazing conversation starter. I have personally experienced that, if you have a guest who is sitting and waiting for you, and you enter the room, hold him a bowl of this hearty soup, his expression is simply worthless, and the whole situation and mood shift as soon as the guest tastes the first spoonful. When people ask, “What’s in this?” you can proudly share that you’ve created a butter chicken-inspired soup that’s rich, flavorful, and perfect for any occasion. Thus, you can easily break the ice and move on to the conversation.

Moreover, you can pair this recipe with basically anything. You can add veggies, replace the chicken with paneer or tofu for a vegetarian version, or you can change the spice levels freely. This indian-inspired dish is perfect at any time, any occasion, and at any spice level and flavor.

Also, this recipe that I shared is both a one-pot meal and a soup. This is because I have included a step where you add basmati rice to the savory soup, which makes it more of a one-pot meal and less of a soup. But I have also included not to use basmati if you want to really enjoy a soup, not a meal. Choice is yours!

I think I grew too excited to share my own feelings with you and wrote a lot about why you’ll love this recipe. Did I write too much? I don’t know, but now, let’s dive into the main recipe right away. Check below.

Ingredients

We have divided the whole long list of ingredients into 2 different parts – marination and soup ingredients, to make it easier to read, understand, and follow properly. Here are all the ingredients that you’ll need to make this amazingly delicious butter chicken soup recipe:

Marination Ingredients

1. Boneless skinless chicken breast: As in the name, this is one of the main ingredients in this recipe, and it’s the main protein source of this chicken soup recipe as well. Also, this is a soup recipe, so you will want to use boneless, skinless cuts of chicken. If you can’t find one, then you can buy the bone-in skin-on ones and then debone the chicken and shred it to make it ready for the soup.
2. Lemon Juice: It helps tenderize the chicken and adds a tangy flavor to balance the richness of the dish.
3. Ground coriander: Coriander adds a mild, citrusy flavor and depth to the marinade and soup base.
4. Chili powder: It adds a little bit of heat and an earthy, smoky flavor to the soup. I love to use chili powders in almost all of my recipes, just for this reason. They add incredible flavors that you can’t get with any other ingredients.
5. Grated fresh ginger: Ginger adds a spicy, zesty taste and enhances the complexity of the dish a little bit.
6. Garlic Cloves (crushed): The garlic cloves improve both the marinade and the soup base. They bring in a rich, aromatic depth and savory punch to the marinade and soup.

Soup Ingredients

1. Butter: This adds a rich, smooth flavor to the soup and helps sauté the chicken and onion. Also, they are one of the main ingredients of this recipe.
2. Onion (finely chopped): Onions sweeten and soften as it is cooked, and provide a savory base for the soup.
3. Cumin: It adds a warm, nutty, and slightly smoky flavor to the soup.
4. Grated gingerroot: It adds a fresh, sharp ginger flavor
5. Chili powder: Just a dash of this adds a little extra heat to the mix, giving the soup a spicy lift without overwhelming the other ingredients.
6. Canned tomatoes (diced): Tangy and juicy, these tomatoes form the flavorful base of the soup, adding a rich, slightly sweet tomato flavor that balances the spices.
7. Tomato paste: What it does is it just thickens the soup and intensifies the tomato flavor, creating that perfect savory base. However, you can use premade tomato sauce if you want. That will do nothing but combine the canned tomatoes and the paste, saving you the time of adding two things separately, but I haven’t used that in my recipes because they have too concentrated and overpowering a flavor, and if not balanced properly, they can ruin the whole dish.
8. Plain flour: This ingredient thickens the soup, giving it a smooth, velvety texture that perfectly complements the rich, creamy broth. You can adjust the amount of this ingredient according to your personal preferences. If you want to make the soup less thick, you can use less, and same for the opposite fact.
9. Brown sugar: Brown sugar adds a touch of sweetness to balance out the acidity of the tomatoes and the heat of the spices. This really brings harmony to the dish.
10. Chicken stock: As you know, this liquid ties everything together, adding moisture and depth to the soup with its rich and comforting flavor.
11. Basmati rice: This fluffy and fragrant rice adds heartiness and texture to the soup. To be very honest, the first time, I made a whole one-pot meal using the same recipe. I, along with my whole family, seriously loved that. Then I tried making basic soup, and that was also incredible. Today, I am sharing the recipe that’s less of a soup and more of a whole one-pot meal that I made first time. But if you want to enjoy a proper soup, then just remove the ingredients and the corresponding instruction part, and that’s it, you’ll be making a delicious soup by then.
12. Light cream: This ingredient enriches the soup and gives a savory and velvety texture.
13. Natural yogurt and fresh coriander: This ingredient is used for garnishing the soup at last. These are fresh, vibrant, and citrusy. Coriander adds a pop of color and a refreshing finish to the soup, brightening up all those rich and deep flavors.

So, that’s the long list of ingredients you will need to make this gorgeous Indian-inspired recipe. For exact measurements, scroll to the recipe card. I have mentioned everything once again with super details there. Once you have all of them, let’s move on to the next part.

Instruction

Once you have all of the ingredients, let’s talk about how you can cook this delicious butter chicken soup recipe. We are dividing the whole recipe into two major parts to make it easy to follow and understand for everyone. Check them out below:

Meat Preparation or Marination Process

1. Cut the meat into small pieces or thin slices
2. Combine the slices or pieces with 1 tablespoon of lemon juice, 1 tablespoon of Ground coriander, 1 teaspoon of Chili Powder, 1 teaspoon of Grated Fresh Ginger, and 2 Cloves of crushed Garlic in a glass bowl.
3. Refrigerate the mixture for at least 1 hour (or before you go to work in the morning)

Soup Preparation

1. Melt the butter in a medium saucepan and add the marinated chicken and chopped onion. Stir constantly until the chicken is sealed (white-looking) or almost cooked, and the onion is softened.
2. Now, when you are done with the first step, add dried spices and ginger and stir.
3. After that, stir in tomatoes and chicken stock.
4. Once the entire mixture is simmering, add the basmati rice and stir again, then simmer for an additional 10 minutes.
5. Lastly, mix tomato paste and flour. Whisk a little at a time into the soup.
6. Add brown sugar and cream and season to taste.
7. Now, you can serve it in soup bowls with a dollop of natural yoghurt, chopped fresh coriander, or you can even tear up naan bread for dunking purposes.

The above recipe is the simplest of all and is kinda a wholesome one-pot meal. If you want to make a real soup, then you can simply remove the basmati rice part.

Serving Suggestions

As said in the main recipe part, you can always serve the recipe with a dollop of natural yoghurt, chopped fresh coriander, and torn-up naan bread for dunking purposes. Below, I have listed some more suggestions that I think will go superbly as a side dish for this recipe. Check them out:

1. Garlic naan: Plain naan and garlic naan might seem the same, but they are far different from each other in various aspects, mainly for flavor. The normal naan is a simple, mildly sweet, and soft bread with no added flavorings or toppings. It has a more neutral taste. On the other hand, garlic naan is infused with garlic and often topped with cilantro or butter. It has a stronger, more aromatic flavor due to the garlic. Moreover, both can be used to dunk in the soup perfectly.
2. Roasted veggies: Roasted vegetables like carrots, bell peppers, and zucchini can add a slight sweetness and a savory contrast to the soup.
3. Steamed Rice: For making a more traditional pairing without making it a one-pot type meal, serve your soup alongside a bowl of steamed white rice to balance the flavors and provide an additional starch.

Also, alongside this dish, Parathas can go perfectly well. Parathas are a delicious option to soak up the creamy, flavorful soup.

Recipe Card

Storage And Reheating

If you somehow have some leftovers, you don’t need to waste them. Instead, you can simply store it in the refrigerator or freezer to keep it safe for 3 to 4 days to 3 months. Check how you can do so below. I have mentioned everything from how to store it and how to reheat it as well.

Storage

First of all, allow the soup to cool to room temperature before transferring it to an airtight container and storing it safely for 3 to 4 days. If you want to store it for longer periods, you can do so by freezing it. To do this, you need to place the soup in a freezer-safe container, leaving some space for expansion. I have previously made this mistake and ended up spilling the soup a bit and a broken the container. When you freeze it, you can easily eat it after 2 to 3 months. But first off, be sure to cook it completely before freezing to avoid ice crystals forming.

Reheating

To reheat the soup, pour it into a saucepan and heat over medium heat. While heating up, stir occasionally, and add a little bit of water or chicken stock if the soup has thickened too much. Heat until it’s piping hot. It is the stovetop method, but you can also do it in the microwave.

To do it in the microwave, transfer the soup to a microwave-safe bowl and cover with a microwave-safe lid or plate. Heat in 1-minute intervals, stirring in between until it’s fully heated through.

But when you are just taking it out from the freezer, you need to thaw it overnight first to heat in on the stovetop as said above. But if you’re in a hurry, make sure you defrost the recipe first and then follow the microwave process above.

FAQ

Can I make this recipe vegetarian?

Absolutely yes! To make this recipe vegetarian, all you need to do is swap the chicken for tofu or paneer and use vegetable stock instead of chicken stock for a vegetarian version.

Can I Make This Ahead Of Time?

Yes, you can. You can make any soup ahead of time and refrigerate or freeze it for later, and this butter chicken soup recipe is not an exception at all.

What If My Soup Is Too Thick?

If your soup is too thick, just add a bit more chicken stock, water, or cream, depending on the flavor you want to maintain. Gradually add liquid and stir well until you achieve your preferred consistency. Let it simmer for a few minutes to combine, and don’t forget to taste and adjust the seasonings if needed!

Can I add vegetables to the soup?

Yes, you can add vegetables like carrots, peas, or spinach to this butter chicken soup recipe. Just add them when you are adding the tomatoes and stock, and cook them until tender.

What Can I Substitute for Chicken Stock?

If you don’t have chicken stock, you can use vegetable stock or water with a bouillon cube or powder for a similar savory depth.

Can I Freeze The Soup?

Of course, you can freeze the soup. First, make sure the soup is cooled completely, otherwise, you will see that ice crystals are being formed inside the butter chicken soup while freezing. After cooling completely, make sure you pour it into an air-tight container, leaving some space for expansion, and then you can easily freeze it for 2 to 3 months safely.

Can I Use Chicken Breasts Instead of Chicken Thighs?

I prefer using chicken breasts instead of chicken thighs, as chicken thighs are more juicy and flavorful. Breasts are slightly less juicy, but they will still work well in the recipe. Just be careful not to overcook them ot keep them tender.

Other Delicious Chicken Soup Recipes

If you have liked this recipe, you should check out the On the Border chicken tortilla soup recipe and the Cafe Rio chicken tortilla soup recipe. They are both Mexican recipes, but the flavors are different yet incredible. Also, make sure to check out my Chicken Corn Soup Pakistani recipe and Chicken Noodle Soup in a jar recipe. They are also amazingly delicious, and I bet you’ll love them as well.

Conclusion

So, now you know how you can cook this amazingly delicious butter chicken soup recipe easily and perfectly. If you have tried it at home, then please let me know how it was in the comments below. Also, if you have tried something different from the original recipe, then you are also welcome to comment on what you tried and how it went. Moreover, don’t hesitate to suggest something.

For today, Thanks For Reading and Happy Cooking.