AUTHENTIC TASTING HEALTHY BUTTER CHICKEN

The most popular western Indian dish on this planet without a doubt is butter chicken! A decadent combination of warm spices and cream is infused in every bite. While I’ve had my fair share of restaurant style butter chicken at parties and indian buffets, I’ve never made it at home because it’s too rich to eat as an everyday meal. Until now that is, friends! I’ve put together a healthier, lighter, and more fulfilling butter chicken recipe without sacrificing that authentic taste! You can serve it on top of traditional basmati rice or a side of naan bread but I encourage creativity, and with that try sandwiching the butter chicken with a smaller amount of rice in lettuce wraps - oh yes! Without further adieu, let’s take a peak at my Authentic Tasting Healthy Butter Chicken which you too can have on the table within 35 minutes!

Healthy butter chicken

Most healthier butter chicken recipes are made with zero fat yogurt instead of cream and I just can’t agree with that. You need some fat to coat the chicken and provide texture. I used 2 % plain yogurt which is considered a lower fat option compared to whole and higher milk fat creams. 

Butter chicken ingredients

I decided to thicken up the butter chicken sauce by adding a quick, home-made cashew paste to the curry. Who would have thought we could use cashews for this! Use a mini-food processor  to puree cashews and water together, and voila – cashew paste. If you’re not up for making a cashew paste, use corn starch or flour as a thickening agent but be sure to whisk it in. You can also forego this whole step and opt for a more liquid sauce. It’s delicious all ways!  As a side note, I love my mini food processor and use it to mince up any combination of ginger, chiles, or garlic you notice in our Health Dish recipes.

Cashew pasta

The first time I made this recipe, I was accused of ordering restaurant butter chicken and disguising it in a pot as my own. I take that as a compliment but I’m definitely owning up to creating this masterpiece!Serve my light, healthy butter chicken tonight:

• on a bed of basmati rice or quinoa and a side green salad,
• sandwiched in lettuce wraps with some rice or quinoa, or
• with a side of naan bread or lighter, thinner flatbread
• 
  

Grab a spoon and dive in!

AUTHENTIC TASTING HEALTHY BUTTER CHICKEN 

PREP TIME    : 8 mins

COOK TIME   : 27 mins

TOTAL TIME : 35 mins

Our authentic tasting and healthy butter chicken a decadent combination of warm spices and creamy yogurt infused in every bite.

 INGREDIENTS

• 2 tbsp vegetable oil
• 1 large yellow onion, chopped
• 1 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1 inch cubes
• 1 cup of 2% plain yogurt
• ½ cup water
• 15 cashews, pureed*
• 2 tbsp tomato paste
• 1 tbsp garam masala
• 1-inch piece of ginger, minced
• 2 seranno chiles, minced
• 1 tbsp cumin seeds
• ½ tsp paprika
• 1 tsp turmeric
• ½ tsp salt
• Garnish: chopped cilantro and/or chives (optional)

 INSTRUCTIONS

1. Heat oil in a dutch oven or large pot over medium heat. Add onions and keep stirring until they become translucent and slightly browned, about 10 minutes.
2. Stir in ginger, seranno chilis, tomato paste, garam masala, cumin seeds, paprika, turmeric, salt.
3. Stir in chicken and cook for 1 minute on each side.
4. Stir in water, yogurt, and cashew puree. Mix well.
5. Cover pot and turn heat to low/medium. Let chicken cook for 15 to 20 minutes, stirring occasionally or until chicken is cooked through.
6. Garnish with cilantro and/or chives.

NOTESServe on a bed of basmati rice, with naan or flatbread, or sandwiched in lettuce wraps with rice.

To make cashew paste: using a food processor, pulse cashews and 1.5 tbsp water on high until a smooth consistency is achieved. As an alternative to cashew paste, use 2 tbsp of cornstarch or whole wheat flour which may need to be whisked into the curry.

Looking for less heat? Do not add the chiles.
Hope you enjoy my take on butter chicken made healthier!