
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
Ingredients
Open in recipe scaler →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
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.





