Keto Indian Butter Chicken Recipe (That’s Not Spicy, Just Tasty)

If you’re tired of the same old chicken dinner ideas and you want something that tastes like a hug in a bowl, without ruining your low-carb goals, then you’ve got to try this Keto Indian Butter Chicken. It’s creamy, rich, and full of flavor, but still light on the carbs. And here’s the best part, it’s not spicy. So if you’ve been staying away from Indian food because of the heat, you’re in for a good surprise.

Now before we get into it, let’s be real, some days you just want to cook something easy that doesn’t make you break out five pots and a food processor. This dish? One skillet. That’s it. Think Chicken Skillet Recipes but with flavor turned up. It’s up there with Garlic Butter Chicken or Garlic Herb Chicken, just with more comfort and fewer carbs.

Why Keto Butter Chicken Works

Indian food is usually loaded with carbs thanks to rice and naan. But the curry itself? It’s mostly protein, cream, and spices. So once you ditch the bread and swap out the sugar-heavy stuff, you’ve got a perfect low-carb meal that still hits every craving.

This isn’t some watered-down version either. It tastes like the Best Ever Butter Chicken you’d get at a proper restaurant—just with less sugar and zero guilt.

Ingredients You’ll Need

You don’t need anything fancy. Most of this stuff is already sitting in your pantry.

• 1.5 lbs boneless chicken thighs (cut into chunks)
• 2 tbsp butter or ghee
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 medium onion (finely chopped)
• 4 garlic cloves (minced)
• 1 inch fresh ginger (grated)
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1/2 cup tomato puree (no sugar added)
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• 1 tsp ground coriander
• 1 tsp paprika
• 1/2 tsp turmeric
• 1/2 tsp garam masala
• 1/4 tsp ground cardamom (for that real Cardamom Chicken Recipes aroma)
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Fresh cilantro (optional, for garnish)
• 1 tbsp lemon juice (right at the end)

Let’s Cook our Butter Chicken: Step-by-Step

1) Cook the Chicken First

Heat up a big skillet—medium-high heat. Add the olive oil and a tablespoon of butter. Toss in the chicken pieces and let them cook until golden brown on the edges. You’re not trying to fully cook them just yet, just brown them. Pull them out of the pan and set them aside.

2) Sauté the Aromatics

In the same pan, toss in a bit more butter. Add your chopped onion and cook it down until soft and golden. Then throw in the garlic and ginger. The smell here? Pure magic.

3) Add the Spices

Time to bring out that flavor. Sprinkle in your cumin, coriander, paprika, turmeric, cardamom, and garam masala. Let it all toast for a minute, don’t skip this step, it makes a huge difference.

4) Make the Sauce

Pour in the tomato puree and let it bubble for about 5 minutes. You want that sharp tomato taste to mellow out. Once it darkens a bit, stir in the heavy cream. Season with salt and pepper. Add a splash of water if it gets too thick.

5) Simmer It All Together

Slide the chicken back into the skillet. Stir to coat everything in that creamy sauce. Lower the heat and let it simmer for 10-15 minutes. Finish with a squeeze of lemon juice and some chopped cilantro.

What to Serve It With your Keto Indian Butter Chicken (Still Keto)

You don’t need rice to enjoy this. Serve it up with:

• Steamed cauliflower rice
• Roasted cabbage steaks
• Green Beans Skillet—yep, this goes great with buttery, sautéed green beans
• Zucchini noodles
• Or just eat it straight with a spoon (no judgment)

Add Some Veggies

If you’re into a full meal with sides, Lemon Garlic Butter Chicken pairs well with roasted vegetables, and so does this. Try it with green beans tossed in olive oil and garlic, or a quick pan of sautéed spinach. Chicken And Green Beans is a combo that works every time.

Don’t Like It Spicy? You’re in Luck.

This is a Butter Chicken Recipe Not Spicy. That’s on purpose. A lot of people think Indian food means burning your face off. But real Indian home cooking isn’t like that. You can always add chili flakes later if you want heat—but this version focuses on flavor, not fire.

 Why I Made This Food?

I started eating keto a couple of years ago after getting tired of sugar crashes and weird energy dips. But the hardest part? Giving up Indian food. My grandma’s Chicken Butter Curry Recipe was one of my all-time favorites. But her version had sugar, full-fat yogurt, and a ton of onions. Not exactly low-carb.

So I messed around with her recipe, made a few swaps, and here we are. A Homemade Butter Chicken Recipe that doesn’t taste “healthy” but totally is.

Cooking Tips From Me to You

• Use chicken thighs, not breasts. They’re juicier, more flavorful, and don’t dry out.
• Don’t rush the spices. Let them cook in the oil before adding the cream. That oil carries flavor.
• Make extra. This stuff tastes even better the next day. Seriously. Put it in a lunchbox with some cauliflower rice and thank yourself later.
• Don’t skip the cardamom. It’s a small amount, but it makes a big difference. It’s what makes it taste like real Indian Buttered Chicken.

How This Indian Butter Chicken Compares To Other Keto Chicken Recipes

Let’s face it—after a few weeks of meal prepping, chicken gets boring. Herb Chicken, Garlic Butter Chicken, and even Lemon Garlic Butter Chicken all start to blur together.

But this? This stands out. It’s warm, creamy, full of layered flavor. And still hits the low-carb goals. Add it to your rotation if you’re tired of grilled chicken salads and dry chicken breasts.

Meal Prep Friendly

This isn’t just good for dinner. It reheats well and freezes even better. So go ahead and double the batch. Freeze half, eat the other half over the week. Pair it with that Green Beans Skillet or any other veggie you’ve got laying around.

Why This is the Best Pick For High on Comfort + Nutrition

This is one of those Health Dinner Recipes that doesn’t feel like one. You get good fats from the butter and cream, clean protein from the chicken, and antioxidants from all the spices. Plus, it doesn’t spike your blood sugar like regular curry dishes.

It’s not a boring grilled chicken breast. It’s cozy. Think Butter Curry Chicken Recipes but smarter.

For the Curious Cooks

If you like trying new things, this dish is a great intro into Indian cooking without needing 40 ingredients or a spice store in your pantry. Start here, and you’ll open the door to other easy Indian-inspired dishes. And if you’ve been burnt by bad takeout before, trust me—Homemade Butter Chicken Recipes taste way better when you make it fresh.

Try These Next

Once you’ve got this recipe down, branch out a bit:

• Garlic Herb Chicken with spinach
• Green Beans and Chicken skillet (add a splash of coconut cream)
• Lemon Garlic Butter Chicken with roasted carrots
• A mild Cardamom Chicken Recipe with just turmeric, cream, and coriander

Conclusion

If you’re keeping keto, sick of grilled meat, and craving something rich and warm that still fits your goals, this Indian Butter Chicken is the one. Add it to your weekly rotation, serve it to friends (they won’t know it’s keto), and save it for those nights when you need something comforting but can’t face takeout again.

This isn’t just another recipe, it’s the go-to when you want something special but don’t want to work too hard for it.

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