Lower Calorie Butter Chicken
A lighter version of the restaurant classic.
This recipe was originally part of my "restaurant vs. low cal" recipe video series. If you're looking for the restaurant-style recipe, you can find that here.
For lower fat and high protein, I've substituted the cream for low-fat condensed milk, the cashews for a spoonful of peanut butter, chicken thighs for chicken breast, and reduced the amount of oil and butter during cooking.
Ethan Chlebowski
Ingredients
Marinated chicken
- chicken breasts, cubed~300 g~3/4 lb
- yogurt, plain30 g2 spoonfuls
- salt4 ga sprinkle
- chili powder2 ga sprinkle
- cumin2 ga sprinkle
- garam masala2 ga sprinkle
- garlic, minced2 cloves
- fresh ginger, minced1/2” knob
- lime juice1/2 lime
Curry gravy
- baking sprayfor the pan
- tomatoes, chopped400 g
- onions, diced1/4 onion
- garlic, minced1 clove
- fresh ginger, minced1/2” knob
- peanut butter15 g
- chili powder4 ga sprinkle
- garam masala2 ga sprinkle
- sugar, optional2 ga sprinkle
- turmeric powder1 ga sprinkle
- butter28 g2 spoonfuls
- low-fat evaporated milk45 g
- wateras needed
- fenugreek leaves2 ga sprinkle
- saltto taste
For serving
- basmati rice, cooked
- naan
- cilantrofor garnish
Method
Step 1: Marinate the chicken
After chopping the chicken breast into cubes, add them to a bowl with the chili powder, ground cumin, garam masala powder, salt, crushed garlic, ginger, lime, and yogurt.
Mix to combine and set aside for 15 minutes to let .
Step 2: Sear the chicken
When ready to cook, set a cast iron or nonstick pan on medium-high heat. chicken pieces until and barely cooked through. Since this is a lower-calorie recipe, rely on the pan and yogurt marinade for browning. If you're worried about sticking, you can use a bit of baking spray.
Remove the browned chicken pieces from the pan and set aside. These will finish cooking in the gravy later.
Step 3: Start the gravy
Set a fresh pan over medium heat. Once hot, apply a light amount of baking spray then add the onions and for 2-3 minutes.
Add the tomatoes, peanut butter, garlic, ginger, garam masala, chili powder, a small pinch of salt, and a sprinkle of turmeric. Let it for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Add some water to thin the mixture, enough to blend well in the next step (about a cup). Stir to combine.
Step 4: Blend & simmer
Pour the sauce into a food processor or blender and pulse until completely smooth. Over the pan, pour and push the sauce through a metal strainer back to the pan.
Turn the heat on medium. Add the butter, evaporated milk, and cooked chicken. Stir the sauce and let until it thickens to your liking, usually about 6-10 minutes.
Step 5: Finish & serve
Crush the fenugreek leaves (kasoor methi) between your hands and sprinkle a pinch over top of the sauce.
Turn off the heat. Taste and adjust as needed with salt, sugar, spices, or a bit more butter for texture.
Serve the butter chicken with rice, naan, or vegetables. Garnish with cilantro.
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