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Chicken in red sauce over rice with cilantro

Easy One Pot Indian Butter Chicken

Sarah @ Sarah Put Simply
Easy One Pot Indian Butter Chicken is the perfect comfort food! Made with tender chicken simmered in a rich, creamy, and flavorful tomato based sauce, this recipe is lightened with coconut milk and naturally gluten free ingredients.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine Indian
Servings 8
Calories 107 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 3 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breast or thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 1 large yellow onion finely chopped
  • 2 tbsp minced garlic
  • 1 cup tomato paste
  • 1 cup tomato puree
  • 3 tbsp fresh lemon juice
  • 1 tsp green cardamom powder
  • 2 tsp salt
  • 1/2 cup full-fat coconut milk
  • 1 cinnamon stick (will be removed after simmering)
  • 3 large bay leaves
  • 3 tbsp ginger paste
  • 3 tbsp gluten free garam masala
  • 2 tsp turmeric powder
  • 1 tbsp cumin powder
  • 1 tsp fenugreek seeds optional
  • cashew cream stir in just before serving
  • ½ tsp cayenne pepper optional, for extra heat
  • Salt to taste non dairy sour cream, fresh cilantro, fresh green onion

Garnishes (optional)

  • non-dairy sour cream
  • fresh cilantro chopped
  • green onion chopped

Cashew Cream

  • 1 cup raw cashews soaked for 30 mins
  • 3/4 cup water

Instructions
 

  • Place cashews in bowl, and cover with hot water. Set aside for at least 30 minutes.
  • In a large skillet, heat 1 tablespoon olive oil or avocado oil. Add chicken pieces to hot skillet and cook for approximately 4 minutes until chicken is mostly cooked and has turned white.
  • Add diced onion and garlic. Sauté another 4 minutes until chicken starts to brown and onion is translucent.
  • Add all sauce ingredients except cashew cream. Add; tomato puree, tomato paste, lemon juice, cardamom, cinnamon stick, bay leaves, ginger paste, garam masala, cumin, salt, turmeric, and fenugreek seeds. Add coconut milk. Stir until well combined.
  • Cover and simmer about 20 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
  • remove cinnamon stick and bay leaves.
  • Drain cashews, and place cashews into blender.
  • Add about 3/4 cup of water, and blend on high for about 30 seconds or until thick and creamy.
  • Add cashew cream to the chicken and sauce mixture. Stir until well incorporated. simmer until heated through.
  • Taste the sauce and adjust the salt as needed.
  • Garnish with fresh cilantro leaves, green onion, and non-dairy sour cream. Then serve hot with gluten-free naan, steamed rice, or cauliflower rice for a low-carb option.

Nutrition

Calories: 107kcalCarbohydrates: 15gProtein: 4gFat: 5gSaturated Fat: 4gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.2gMonounsaturated Fat: 0.4gSodium: 1140mgPotassium: 726mgFiber: 3gSugar: 8gVitamin A: 904IUVitamin C: 15mgCalcium: 49mgIron: 4mg
Keyword dairy free indian butter chicken, Easy indian butter chicken, gluten free indian butter chicken, healthy butter chicken, healthy indian food
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