Keto Butter Chicken

Keto Butter Chicken

A rich, aromatic keto-friendly butter chicken featuring tender chicken thighs simmered in a velvety tomato-cream sauce spiced with garam masala, cumin, and ginger. All the warming, restaurant-quality flavors you love — zero grains, zero guilt. Perfect for a weeknight dinner that the whole family will devour.

4 servings · Prep 15 min · Cook 35 min · Total 50 min

Indian · Dinner · Main Course

Main

  • 1.5 lb boneless skinless chicken thighs cut into 1½-inch pieces
  • 3 tbsp unsalted butter divided
  • 1 medium yellow onion finely diced
  • 4 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 tbsp fresh ginger grated
  • 1.5 tsp garam masala
  • 1 tsp ground cumin
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • 0.25 tsp cayenne pepper adjust
  • 1 can crushed tomatoes
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1 tsp kosher salt
  • 2 tbsp fresh cilantro roughly chopped
  • 1 tbsp heavy cream drizzled on top

Marinade

  • 0.5 cup full-fat plain Greek yogurt
  • 1 tsp garam masala
  • 0.5 tsp ground cumin
  • 0.5 tsp turmeric
  • 0.5 tsp kosher salt

Equipment

  • Stovetop
  • Blender
  • Mixing Bowl
  • Skillet
  • Wooden Spoon
  • Immersion Blender
  • Serving Spoon
  • Knife
  • Pan
  • Ladle
  • Measuring Spoons
  • Cutting Board
  • Mixing Bowl (4 Quarts)

Instructions

  1. In a large #[Mixing Bowl], combine the @[Greek Yogurt], ~[1 tsp] @[Garam Masala], ~[½ tsp] @[Cumin], ~[½ tsp] @[Turmeric], and ~[½ tsp] @[Kosher Salt]. Add the @[Chicken Thighs] and toss to coat thoroughly. Cover and marinate for ~[at least 20 minutes] at room temperature, or refrigerate for ~[up to 24 hours] for deeper flavor.
  2. Melt ~[1½ tbsp] @[Butter] in a large #[Skillet] over ^[medium-high heat]. Working in batches if needed, add the marinated @[Chicken Thighs] in a single layer. Sear for ~[3–4 minutes] per side until lightly charred and just cooked through. Remove the @[Chicken Thighs] to a plate and set aside — it will finish cooking in the sauce.
  3. Reduce heat to ^[medium] and add the remaining ~[1½ tbsp] @[Butter] to the same #[Skillet]. Add the diced @[Medium Yellow Onion] and cook, stirring occasionally, for ~[5–6 minutes] until softened and golden. Add the @[Garlic] and @[Ginger] and cook for ~[1 minute] until fragrant. Stir in the @[Garam Masala], @[Cumin], @[Smoked Paprika], and @[Cayenne Pepper]; toast the spices for ~[30 seconds]. Pour in the @[Crushed Tomatoes], scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Season with ~[1 tsp] @[Kosher Salt] and simmer for ~[8–10 minutes], stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens slightly.
  4. Carefully transfer the sauce to a #[Blender] (or use an #[Immersion Blender] directly in the #[Skillet]) and blend until smooth. Return the sauce to the #[Skillet] over ^[medium-low heat]. Stir in the @[Heavy Cream] and bring to a gentle simmer. Add the seared @[Chicken Thighs] back to the pan and simmer for ~[8–10 minutes], until the @[Chicken Thighs] is fully cooked through and the sauce is velvety and coats the back of a spoon.
  5. Taste and adjust @[Kosher Salt] as needed. Ladle the @[Butter] @[Chicken Thighs] over cauliflower rice or your favorite keto side. Garnish with a drizzle of @[Heavy Cream] and freshly chopped @[Cilantro]. Serve immediately.