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+ servings
Metal dish of dairy free butter chicken surrounded by sundries.

Whole30 Indian Butter Chicken (Lactose-Free)

40aprons.com/whole30-indian-butter-chicken/
This Whole30 Indian butter chicken is super flavorful and comes together quite quickly and easily. Dairy free it has a richly spiced sauce made creamy with coconut milk, tender chicken pieces, and is delicious served over cauliflower rice!
Prep 10 minutes
Cook 30 minutes
Total 40 minutes
Recipe Makes (Approximate): 4 people

Ingredients

  • 6 tablespoons ghee (divided)
  • 2 pounds chicken thigh filets (cut into bite-sized pieces)
  • 2 teaspoons garam masala
  • 2 teaspoons sweet paprika
  • 2 teaspoons ground coriander
  • 1 tablespoon finely chopped ginger
  • ¼ teaspoon chili powder
  • 1 cinnamon stick
  • 6 cardamom pods (bruised with the flat side of a knife)
  • 15 ounce can tomato sauce
  • 1 tablespoon coconut aminos
  • 1 cup coconut cream (only the solid white part)
  • 1 ½ tablespoon fresh lemon juice (plus more to taste)
  • plenty of salt (to taste)
  • fresh cilantro (chopped, for garnish)
  • cooked cauliflower rice (to serve)

Instructions

  • Heat a wok or large skillet until very hot. Add 1 tablespoon ghee and swirl to coat. Add half the chicken and stir fry for 4 minutes, or until lightly browned on all sides and no longer opaque. Remove with a slotted spoon and set aside. Add remaining tablespoon ghee and stir fry the remaining half of chicken until browned. Remove with a slotted spoon and set aside. Pour out used ghee.
  • Reduce the heat to medium-low. Add 1/4 cup ghee to skillet and melt. Add garam masala, sweet paprika, coriander, ginger, chili powder, cinnamon stick, and cardamom pods and stir fry for 1 minute or until fragrant. Return the chicken to the skillet and mix to coat in the spices.
  • Add the tomato sauce and coconut aminos and simmer, stirring, for 15 minutes, or until the chicken is tender and the sauce has thickened.
  • Add the coconut cream and lemon juice and simmer for 5-10 minutes or until the sauce has thickened slightly. Add plenty of salt to taste; using enough will cut the heavy spice flavor and round out the entire dish. Serve over cooked cauliflower rice with chopped fresh cilantro.

Recipe Notes

Toasting the spices: In curries you cook the spices either with fat in the pan or stirred into an onion base to allow them to 'bloom' as warming them releases more flavor. But, letting them brown can make your curry bitter so only keep going at this stage until they smell fragrant, and stop when you think they might darken.
Leftovers & storage: Leftovers will keep in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, and can be frozen for up to 3 months. Warm leftovers through thoroughly either using the microwave or on the stovetop before serving.

Nutrition Information (Approximate)

Serving Size: 4gCalories: 946calProtein: 41gFat: 82gSaturated Fat: 43gCholesterol: 280mgSodium: 824mgPotassium: 1081mgTotal Carbs: 16gFiber: 5gSugar: 5gNet Carbs: 11gVitamin A: 1201IUVitamin C: 12mgCalcium: 66mgIron: 5mg
Recipe By: Cheryl Malik
https://40aprons.com/whole30-indian-butter-chicken/