Butter Chicken Naan Pizza is a bold and flavorful fusion dish that brings together the creamy richness of classic butter chicken with the crisp, chewy texture of baked naan and melty mozzarella. This unique Indian-Italian mashup is a crowd-pleaser, perfect for family dinners, parties, or whenever you’re craving something indulgent, spicy, and deeply satisfying.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Deliciously unique fusion: Combines Indian spices with a classic pizza format.
- Easy to customize: Use your choice of toppings like onions, cilantro, or yogurt drizzle.
- Convenient and fast: With store-bought naan and a quick butter chicken sauce, it’s perfect for weeknights.
- Incredible flavor: Rich, creamy butter chicken provides a spiced, tangy, and savory base.
- Great for entertaining: An excellent choice for casual dinner parties or potlucks.
- Kid-approved: Familiar cheesy pizza with mild Indian flavors.
- Perfect use for leftovers: Butter chicken from the night before becomes the next day’s pizza.
- Portable and shareable: Serve sliced for appetizers or full-size for meals.
- Make-ahead friendly: Butter chicken can be prepped in advance.
- Balanced and hearty: A satisfying meal that doesn’t skimp on flavor or texture.
Ingredients
(Tip: You can find the complete list of ingredients and their measurements in the recipe card below.)
For the Butter Chicken:
- boneless chicken thighs, cubed
- plain yogurt
- lemon juice
- ginger-garlic paste
- ground cumin
- garam masala
- turmeric
- chili powder
- salt to taste
Butter Chicken Sauce:
- butter
- small onion, finely chopped
- ginger-garlic paste
- tomato purée
- heavy cream
- sugar
- garam masala
- salt to taste
For the Pizza:
- naan breads (store-bought or homemade)
- shredded mozzarella cheese
- red onion, thinly sliced (optional)
- fresh cilantro, chopped
- yogurt or sour cream, for drizzling (optional)
Directions
Marinate Chicken:
- In a bowl, mix yogurt, lemon juice, ginger-garlic paste, cumin, garam masala, turmeric, chili powder, and salt.
- Add chicken cubes and coat well. Marinate for at least 30 minutes or refrigerate overnight.
Cook Butter Chicken:
- In a skillet, melt butter and sauté chopped onion until golden.
- Stir in ginger-garlic paste and cook for 1 minute.
- Add tomato purée, sugar, salt, and garam masala. Simmer for 10 minutes.
- In another pan, cook marinated chicken until browned and fully cooked.
- Add the cooked chicken to the sauce and stir in cream. Simmer for 5 more minutes. Set aside.
Assemble the Naan Pizza:
- Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C).
- Arrange naan on a baking sheet. Spoon butter chicken onto each naan, avoiding excess sauce.
- Top with shredded mozzarella and sliced red onion, if using.
Bake and Serve:
- Bake for 8–10 minutes or until cheese is bubbly and slightly golden.
- Garnish with fresh cilantro.
- Drizzle with yogurt or sour cream if desired. Serve hot.
Servings and timing
Servings: 4 naan pizzas
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cooking Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 50 minutes
Calories: Approximately 510 kcal per serving
Variations
- Paneer version: Substitute chicken with cubed paneer for a vegetarian option.
- Spicy twist: Add sliced jalapeños or crushed chili flakes.
- Cheese blend: Use a mix of mozzarella and sharp cheddar for more depth.
- Garlic naan base: Use flavored naan for added taste.
- Grilled version: Cook pizzas on a grill for a smoky flavor.
Storage/Reheating
- Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Reheating: Reheat in a 350°F (175°C) oven for 5–7 minutes or in a skillet over medium heat until warmed through.
- Freezing: Not recommended due to the cream sauce, which may separate when thawed.
FAQs
Can I use leftover butter chicken?
Yes, leftover butter chicken works perfectly for this recipe and saves time.
What type of naan is best?
Use plain, garlic, or whole wheat naan for the base. Store-bought naan is convenient and works well.
Can I make this gluten-free?
Yes, use gluten-free naan or flatbread and ensure your spices are certified gluten-free.
Is there a dairy-free version?
Substitute yogurt and cream with coconut milk or cashew cream, and use a dairy-free cheese alternative.
Can I use chicken breast instead of thighs?
Yes, but thighs are preferred for their juiciness and flavor. Breast meat can dry out more easily.
Can I cook the naan from scratch?
Absolutely. Homemade naan elevates the dish further, though it adds prep time.
What kind of cheese works best?
Mozzarella melts well, but you can add gouda, fontina, or cheddar for extra flavor.
How do I prevent a soggy crust?
Avoid adding too much butter chicken sauce; use a slotted spoon if necessary.
Can I grill these instead of baking?
Yes, grilled naan pizza is delicious. Grill over medium heat until cheese melts and the base crisps.
What can I serve alongside?
Serve with cucumber raita, a fresh salad, or masala fries for a complete meal.
Conclusion
Butter Chicken Naan Pizza is a sensational mashup that brings the bold, comforting flavors of Indian cuisine into the familiar and beloved format of pizza. With creamy, spiced chicken, melted cheese, and a chewy naan base, this dish is perfect for any occasion—whether it’s a cozy dinner, festive gathering, or casual weeknight meal. Quick to assemble and endlessly customizable, it’s sure to become a household favorite.
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PrintButter Chicken Naan Pizza
A delicious Indian-fusion twist, this butter chicken naan pizza features creamy, spiced butter chicken layered over warm, toasty naan bread and topped with melted cheese and fresh herbs. It’s the ultimate comfort food—flavor-packed, indulgent, and perfect for weeknight dinners or parties.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 4 naan pizzas 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Indian-Fusion
- Diet: Halal
Ingredients
- 1 lb boneless chicken thighs, cubed
- 1/2 cup plain yogurt
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tbsp ginger-garlic paste
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp garam masala
- 1/2 tsp turmeric
- 1/2 tsp chili powder
- Salt to taste
- 2 tbsp butter
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 1 tbsp ginger-garlic paste
- 1 1/2 cups tomato purée
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1 tbsp sugar
- 1 tsp garam masala
- Salt to taste
- 4 naan breads (store-bought or homemade)
- 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/4 cup red onion, thinly sliced (optional)
- Fresh cilantro, chopped
- Yogurt or sour cream, for drizzling (optional)
Instructions
- Marinate Chicken: Combine yogurt, lemon juice, ginger-garlic paste, and spices. Add chicken, coat well, and marinate for at least 30 minutes (or overnight).
- Cook Butter Chicken: In a skillet, melt butter and sauté onion until golden. Add ginger-garlic paste and cook for 1 minute.
- Stir in tomato purée, sugar, salt, and garam masala. Simmer 10 minutes.
- In a separate pan, cook marinated chicken until browned and cooked through. Add chicken to sauce and stir in cream. Simmer 5 minutes. Set aside.
- Assemble the Naan Pizza: Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C). Place naan on a baking sheet. Spoon butter chicken over each naan, avoiding excess sauce. Top with shredded mozzarella and red onions, if using.
- Bake for 8–10 minutes, until cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Finish & Serve: Garnish with chopped cilantro and drizzle with yogurt or sour cream if desired. Serve hot!
Notes
- Use leftover butter chicken to speed up the prep time.
- For extra flavor, toast the naan in a dry skillet before assembling.
- Adjust spice levels by increasing or decreasing chili powder.
- This recipe works well with rotisserie chicken or paneer as a variation.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 naan pizza
- Calories: 510
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 480mg
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 13g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 115mg