There’s nothing that tastes more like comfort than butter chicken. Succulently juicy chicken, a delicious cream sauce, and the perfect combination of toasted spices–this butter chicken is a creamier version of my chicken curry, with a sauce so good, it’s hard not to lick the bowl!
Want to Save This Recipe?
Enter your email below and we’ll send it straight to your inbox. Plus you’ll get great new recipes from us every week!
Butter Chicken Tastes Better When She Makes It
That She is my Best Friend. She is the marvelous one that made this dish for me So Many Times throughout my pregnancy and when our daughter was first born. It was the only thing I wanted to eat. My husband and I both will tell you that this is hands-down the best we’ve ever had.
I know I’m crazy for curries, but I fell hard for butter chicken. When things settled down, I had to learn how to make it. Like best friends do, She taught me how. For me, it will always taste best when she makes her family recipe.
But this is a very close second, and just like hers, it tastes best when made with love. Hope you enjoy! – Linds x
How many carbs are in butter chicken?
This butter chicken recipe has 7 g of net carbs per serving, which is pretty typical of a butter chicken recipe. Where the carbs sneak in is when this dish is served over a bed of rice.
Ingredients + Swaps
- Greek yogurt – Marinating the chicken in Greek yogurt makes it extra juicy and prevents it from drying out!
- Ginger – pro tip: buy grated ginger in the freezer section of your grocery store.
- Garam masala – no need for 20 different spices, this mix makes life easy.
- Chicken thighs add the most flavor, due to their high fat content. You can use chicken breast as well. Whether you make butter chicken thighs or breasts, be sure to use boneless and skinless.
- Heavy cream – is my favorite way to finish this sauce for thickness and flavor. You can also make butter chicken with coconut milk (that’s what I use when making chicken tikka masala soup), although your dish will have a bit of coconut flavor and won’t be as thick. If opting for coconut milk, be sure to grab the full fat version in the canned section of your grocery store.
Does butter chicken contain sugar?
Traditional butter chicken is made without sugar. The sweetness of this dish comes from the can of diced tomatoes. Some restaurants may add a touch of sugar, but it’s absolutely not necessary!
Serving recommendations
A sprinkle of fresh cilantro on top is a must! Everything else is a bonus:
- Over rice or cauliflower rice.
- With naan or keto naan – make your own! Or buy some at the store.
- Over roasted vegetables, like this curried cauliflower.
How to Make Butter Chicken
1. Combine marinade ingredients together in a resealable baggie.
2. Add chicken and toss to coat.
3. Broil chicken on a rimmed baking sheet until there are black spots along the top.
4. Allow chicken to cool for 10 minutes, then chop into 1″ pieces.
5. Toast the garam masala in melted butter.
6. Add all other sauce ingredients.
7. Add the chicken and toss to combine. Bring the butter chicken to a simmer, and continue to cook until your chicken reaches an internal temp of 165 F – about 10 minutes.
More Curry Recipes
Butter Chicken
Print Recipe Pin RecipeIngredients
Chicken + Marinade:
- 1 Cup Greek Yogurt I use Fage 2%
- 2 Cloves Garlic finely grated
- 1 Tablespoon Fresh Ginger grated
- 1 Tablespoon Garam Masala
- 1 Tablespoon Kosher Salt
- 2 pounds Chicken Thighs boneless + skinless, cut into 1" cubes (note 1)
Sauce:
- 2 Tablespoons Butter
- 2 Tablespoons Garam Marsala
- 1 Cup Tomato Puree
- 1 Teaspoon Kosher Salt
- 1 Cup Heavy cream (note 2)
Serving:
- 1/4 Cup Fresh Cilantro chopped
- Cauliflower rice
Instructions
- Add yogurt, garlic, ginger, garam masala, and salt to a large resealable bag. Seal and massage to combine. Add chicken and toss until chicken is evenly coated in the marinade. Place in the fridge for 3 hours – overnight.
- Move the top oven rack so it's 10" from the bottom of your broiler. Turn the oven to broil and line a baking sheet with foil. Place chicken on the prepared sheet in a single layer. Broil for 9-11 minutes, and rotate halfway through. Remove the chicken from the oven once there are black spots on top. Note: it won't be cooked fully through.
- Meanwhile, melt butter in a large pot over medium heat. Once melted, add the garam masala and toast until fragrant – about 1-2 minutes. Add all other sauce ingredients, along with the chicken and any juices that have accumulated on the plate, to the sauce. Make sure to fully submerge the chicken in the sauce, and bring to a simmer. Continue to cook until the chicken reaches an internal temp of 165 F, this should be about 10 minutes.
- Serve with chopped cilantro on top, over a bed of cauliflower rice. Enjoy!
Fans Also Made These Healthy Recipes:
Lindsey’s Tips
- Chicken breast can be used instead of thighs, although we prefer the flavor of thighs here.
- For a dairy free option, you can use full fat coconut milk instead of heavy cream.
Leave a Reply