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Easy Butter Chicken (30 minute recipe!)

Easy Butter Chicken (30 minute recipe!)

Quick and easy butter chicken cooked in 30 minutes, perfect for a family dinner.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine Indian
Servings 4 servings
Calories 345 kcal

Equipment

  • frying pan
  • blender

Ingredients
  

The Curry

  • 2 tablespoons butter see notes
  • 2 yellow onions onions roughly chopped
  • 3 tablespoons ginger chopped
  • 6 cloves garlic crushed
  • 28 ounce crushed or diced tomatoes
  • 1 lb chicken breasts or thighs cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 1 cup water
  • ½ cup whipping cream or plain yogurt or coconut milk
  • 2 tablespoons almond butter see notes
  • 2-4 tablespoons coconut sugar can sub brown sugar
  • sea salt to taste - I like about 2 teaspoons
  • cilantro to serve

The Spices

  • 1 tablespoon garam masala
  • 1 teaspoon ground turmeric
  • 1 teaspoon ground coriander
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder
  • 4 cardamom pods cardamom pods seeds only - discard the pods

Instructions
 

Cooking Instructions

  • Heat the butter in a large-sized frying pan over medium-high heat. Add the onion, ginger, and garlic and cook for about 8-10 minutes, until well-browned, reducing the heat if necessary.
  • While the onion cooks, place the spices in a small bowl.
  • Add the spices to the pan and cook for 1 minute to remove their raw flavor. Pour the can of tomatoes into the pan and scrape the bottom to remove any bits that are stuck to the pan.
  • Transfer the sauce to a blender and blend on high until smooth.
  • Return the sauce to the pan, add the chicken and water, and bring the sauce to a simmer. Reduce the heat to medium-low, cover the pan, and let the chicken cook for 10 minutes, until it is fully cooked.
  • Stir in the cream, almond butter, and coconut sugar. Season to taste with sea salt.
  • Serve with rice (and if you have it, naan) with some cilantro on top.

Notes

Using butter will give you the most authentic flavor. You can substitute oil for a dairy-free option. Canned tomatoes are preferred for better flavor, but fresh seasonal tomatoes can be used. Almond butter can be substituted with raw cashew butter. Garam masala is the most important spice, but can be replaced with curry powder if needed.

Nutrition

Serving: 1.5cupsCalories: 345kcalCarbohydrates: 16gProtein: 28gFat: 19gSaturated Fat: 8gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 7gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 108mgSodium: 216mgPotassium: 651mgFiber: 3gSugar: 7gVitamin A: 584IUVitamin C: 7mgCalcium: 79mgIron: 2mg
Keyword 30 minute meals, butter chicken recipe, chicken dinner, Easy Butter Chicken, family meals, Quick Recipes
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