Keto Butter Chicken

Pin it

Indulge in this creamy, rich Keto Butter Chicken that delivers authentic Indian flavors without the high carbs. Perfectly spiced chicken thighs simmer in a luscious tomato-butter sauce for the ultimate low-carb dinner.

Keto Butter Chicken

Keto Butter Chicken

  • Cuisine: Indian
  • Category: Dinner, Main Course
  • Prep Time:
  • Cook Time:
  • Servings: 4 servings
  • Calories: 480 calories

Classic butter chicken brings a wave of warm comfort with every single spoonful.

It is pure magic.

As the tender chicken pieces simmer in a velvety sauce of heavy cream and spices, your kitchen fills with an absolutely intoxicating aroma.

This low-carb version keeps all the authentic, rich flavor intact without any added sugar.

This legendary dish originally emerged from the bustling streets of Delhi in India.

It conquered the world.

While traditional restaurant recipes often thicken their gravies with hidden sugars and cashew pastes, our clever keto adaptation relies on pure, wholesome fats.

You get the ultimate comforting texture without knocking yourself out of ketosis.

Choosing the right cut of meat is essential for achieving juicy perfection.

Always use chicken thighs.

They possess a higher fat content that prevents the meat from drying out while absorbing the complex spices and rich butter beautifully.

Every bite yields a tender, melt-in-your-mouth experience that chicken breasts simply cannot match.

The heart of this masterpiece lies within its luxurious makhani tomato gravy.

Silky, buttery, and bold.

We combine tangy tomato paste with rich heavy whipping cream and a generous amount of grass-fed butter to create a deeply satisfying sauce.

Warm spices like garam masala and cumin balance the dairy with an earthy, aromatic finish.

This elegant meal is perfect for busy weeknights or fancy weekend dinner parties.

Everyone will love it.

You can serve it alongside cauliflower rice or warm keto naan to soak up every last drop of that incredible golden gravy.

It is a crowd-pleasing dish that makes healthy low-carb eating feel incredibly indulgent.

Recipe

Follow this simple, step-by-step guide to create the ultimate creamy Keto Butter Chicken right in your own kitchen.

Ingredients

  • 1.5 lbs chicken thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 1/2 cup full-fat Greek yogurt (or sour cream)
  • 1 tbsp lemon juice
  • 1 tbsp minced ginger
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tsp garam masala, divided
  • 2 tsp ground cumin, divided
  • 1 tsp paprika
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 2 tbsp ghee (or butter)
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced (for the sauce)
  • 1 tbsp ginger, minced (for the sauce)
  • 1 tsp coriander
  • 1 tsp chili powder (or cayenne)
  • 3 tbsp tomato paste
  • 3/4 cup heavy whipping cream
  • 4 tbsp grass-fed butter
  • Fresh cilantro for garnish

Method Instructions

  1. In a large bowl, combine the chicken thighs, Greek yogurt, lemon juice, minced ginger, minced garlic, 1 teaspoon of garam masala, 1 teaspoon of cumin, paprika, and salt. Marinate for at least 30 minutes, or overnight in the refrigerator for maximum flavor.
  2. Heat the ghee or butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the marinated chicken pieces in a single layer and sear for 3-4 minutes on each side until golden brown, then remove them from the pan and set aside.
  3. In the same skillet, reduce the heat to medium and add a bit more butter if needed. Sauté the minced garlic and minced ginger for about 2 minutes until soft and fragrant.
  4. Add the remaining 1 teaspoon of ground cumin, 1 teaspoon of garam masala, coriander, and chili powder to the pan, stirring constantly for 1 minute to toast the spices and release their essential oils.
  5. Pour in the tomato paste and a splash of water, then let it simmer for 3 minutes, stirring occasionally to combine with the toasted spices.
  6. Pour in the heavy whipping cream and stir well to create a smooth, creamy, orange-colored sauce. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer.
  7. Return the seared chicken and any accumulated juices back to the skillet. Cover and simmer on low-medium heat for 10-12 minutes until the chicken is cooked through and tender.
  8. Stir in the remaining grass-fed butter until fully melted and integrated into the sauce, giving it a glossy sheen. Season with extra salt to taste.
  9. Garnish with fresh chopped cilantro and serve hot.

Recipe Video

Keto Butter Chicken | Low Carb Indian Recipe

Keto Butter Chicken | Low Carb Indian Recipe – step‑by‑step recipe tutorial

Rated: 4.9 of 5.0 from 142 reviews.

Recipe Tags: Keto Butter Chicken, Low Carb Indian, Keto Curry, Butter Chicken Recipe, Easy Keto Dinner

Servings

This rich and creamy keto butter chicken is incredibly versatile and pairs beautifully with various low-carb sides:

  • Serve over a warm bed of steamed, riced cauliflower to absorb the delicious butter sauce.
  • Pair with freshly baked keto garlic naan or coconut flour flatbreads for dipping.
  • Enjoy alongside a crisp green garden salad dressed with a simple lemon-olive oil vinaigrette.
  • Spoon over roasted broccoli or zucchini noodles for a nutritious, fiber-rich alternative.

Tips

  1. Marinate the chicken for at least 30 minutes, or ideally overnight, to allow the yogurt and spices to deeply tenderize the meat.
  2. Use chicken thighs instead of breasts because they contain more fat, stay incredibly juicy, and hold up better to simmering.
  3. Sear the chicken in small batches to ensure it gets a nice brown crust rather than steaming in its own juices.
  4. Opt for grass-fed butter or high-quality ghee to achieve the most authentic, rich, and buttery flavor profile.
  5. To keep the carbs as low as possible, use tomato paste instead of tomato sauce, as paste has a more concentrated flavor with fewer sugars.
  6. If you prefer a completely smooth sauce, blend the tomato, onion, and spice mixture in a blender before adding the cream and chicken.
  7. Do not boil the sauce rapidly after adding the heavy cream; a gentle simmer prevents the dairy from separating.
  8. Adjust the heat by adding a pinch of cayenne pepper or chili powder if you prefer a spicier kick to balance the rich creaminess.
  9. Let the finished dish rest for 5 minutes before serving to allow the flavors to meld and the sauce to thicken slightly.
  10. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days; the flavor actually improves the next day!

Ingredient Substitutes

If you need to customize this recipe based on dietary needs or pantry availability, try these easy substitutions:

  1. Heavy Cream Substitute: Use full-fat canned coconut milk or coconut cream for a dairy-free, paleo-friendly alternative.
  2. Greek Yogurt Substitute: Swap Greek yogurt with sour cream or unsweetened coconut yogurt for the chicken marinade.
  3. Ghee/Butter Substitute: Use avocado oil or coconut oil if you need a completely dairy-free cooking fat.
  4. Chicken Thigh Substitute: Use paneer cheese cubes, firm tofu, or cauliflower florets for a delicious vegetarian keto option.
  5. Garam Masala Substitute: Mix equal parts ground cumin, coriander, allspice, and a pinch of cinnamon if you do not have garam masala.

Remarks

This Keto Butter Chicken is a fantastic meal prep option because the spiced tomato cream sauce develops even deeper flavor profiles when stored overnight in the refrigerator. It freezes remarkably well too, making it a perfect quick-defrost dinner for hectic weeknights when you want comfort food without the carb crash.

Next Post Previous Post
me