Quick, easy, and healthy! This lighten-up Dairy-Free Indian Butter Chicken is gluten-free, paleo, keto, and allergy-free! A delicious dinner recipe starting with a simple coconut yogurt marinade, then cooked right in a single skillet with a creamy tomato-based sauce!
Let's get real. High calorie, high fat, high DIARY, yet delicious, indulgent Indian comfort food may be okay on occasion, but let's make it okay for any night of the week and for any dietary needs! Good thing it only takes a few simple swaps to make your craving for Indian Butter Chicken a healthier, dairy-free reality! You get the same cozy, creamy, flavor-packed chicken dinner with all the aromatic Indian spices, but not of the heavy dairy to weigh you down or cause your throat to close-up!
What is Indian Butter Chicken?
Well, my friend, if you've never had butter chicken, then you're in for a treat! (And no, it's not just chicken and butter, haha!) It's simply chicken, marinated in yogurt, lemon juice, and spices. Then cooked in a tomato-based sauce or gray with a hint of butter, cream, and more spices. The traditional dish was first "accidentally" created by 3 restaurateurs at the Moti Mahalย restaurant in Delhi, Indian back in the 1950s (so a relatively "new" dish). They took leftover chicken (this is why the chicken is cubed) and mixed it with a creamy tomato gravy with butter and cream.
There are so many delicious components to this dish. So many flavors that burst out at you with each and every bite. That tends to be the standard in Indian cuisine. So many beautiful aromatic spices and herbs; so much deep flavor! The selection of flavors is always intentional and not something you can "skip". A pinch of this and a dash of that makes all the difference! But don't worry! It's still easy to make and I made all the spices and flavors commonplace and accessible. Spices like cumin, turmeric, cinnamon, ginger, paprika, pepper, chili powder, and pre-mixed garam masala.
How do you make Indian butter chicken dairy-free?
Where we will be deviating from the "norm" with this dairy-free Indian butter chicken is breaking out some coconut-based dairy swaps to keep this not only dairy-free, but top 8 allergy-free (no nut-basedย or soy-based swaps), gluten-free, and paleo. First, we are marinating the chicken in coconut yogurt (essential!). Then for the actual cooking process, we're using my favorite vegan/soy-free butter, Melt (which is coconut-based actually), and a splash of thick coconut milk for that tomato gravy sauce. To thicken the sauce even more, a dash of arrowroot starch does the trick!
Want a vegan version that's 100% plant-based? Try this VEGAN Butter Chicken (Indian Butter Chickpeas!)
What's the best way to serve Indian butter chicken?
Serve it with something that's going to soak up ALL that delicious creamy tomato gravy sauce! Rice or gluten-free naan. If you're paleo and want things grain-free, cauliflower rice or some grain-free tortillas/bread/wraps can do the trick. Something with some "soaking power". You won't be wanting to leave a bit of sauce in your bowl or on your plate (believe me!)
Easy Dairy-Free Indian Butter Chicken
Easy Dairy-Free Indian Butter Chicken (Gluten-Free, Paleo, Allergy-Free)
Quick, easy, and healthy! This lighten-up Dairy-Free Indian Butter Chicken is gluten-free, paleo, and top 8 allergy-free! A delicious dinner recipe starting with a simple coconut yogurt marinade, then cooked right in a single skillet with a creamy tomato-based sauce!
- Cook Time: 20 mins
- Total Time: 20 mins
- Yield: 2-3 1x
- Category: Main
- Cuisine: Indian
Ingredients
- 2 Large Skinless Chicken Breasts (cubed)
- ยฝ Cup Unsweetened Coconut Yogurt
- 1 Tsp Lemon Juice
- 1 Shallot (chopped)
- 1 Tsp Minced Garlic
- 1 Tsp Garam Masala
- 1 Tsp Chili Powder
- ยฝ Tsp Cinnamon
- ยฝ Tsp Turmeric
- ยฝ Tsp Cumin
- ยฝ Tsp Ground Ginger
- ยฝ Tsp Paprika
- ยผ Tsp Black Pepper
- 2 TB Melt Organic Butter
- ยฝ Cup Plain Tomato Sauce
- ยผ Cup Full-Fat Canned Coconut Milk
- 1 TB Tomato Paste
- 1 TB Arrowroot Starch
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine the cubed chicken, coconut yogurt, lemon juice, and all the spices. Mix to coat and let marinate in the fridge for 2-3 hours.
- In a large seasoned cast iron skillet, heat the skillet with the 2 tablespoons of butter before adding the marinated chicken and yogurt mixture straight into the hot skillet.
- Saute the chicken, cooking over high heat for about 10 minutes.
- Now add the tomato sauce, tomato paste, coconut milk, and starch to the cooking chicken.
- Mix everything together in the skillet and continue to cook the butter chicken for another 8-10 minutes until the sauce has thickened and the chicken is thoroughly cooked through.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1
I think you can already tell that this Indian butter chicken is AMAZING reheated the next day too! Leftovers of chicken dishes are always my favorite, especially when they have a delicious creamy sauce! You know...using this dairy-free butter chicken in a wrap, you could make a mean Indian burrito! Ha! That would be delicious (I think we'll have to give it a try!)
So tell me:
+ Have you ever had authentic Indian butter chicken?
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Faith
This sounds like something we would like and it is totally different than anything I usually make. Thanks for the idea and an opportunity to mix it up
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
It's a great one! Hope you enjoy!
Kim~madeinaday
Butter chicken is one of our favorite things to eat! We use chicken thighs and an Insta pot but the recipe looks the same. We literally have it every weekend. Lol Sharing!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
I hope you're eating a healthy version then!
Rosie Doal
Being British-Indian, curries are in my blood. But it's always nice to see alternative ways of cooking one - especially catering for those with allergies - and sometimes just a healthier version x
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
And we can still nail the delicious flavors!
Emily
We are just starting to get the kids to enjoy Indian food, we will have to try this.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
I know they will just love this cozy dish!
Sabera
This looks so good! I'll have to try it soon!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Super easy; go for it!
Briana
Indian food is my favorite! This looks so good!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Me too! Such a delicious cuisine!
Maegan
I've never had authentic Indian butter chicken, but my husband loves it! I would love to see your naan recipe!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Well you need to whip this up then!
Leslie
This looks scrumptious! Everything about this recipe is so enticing.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Butter chicken is delicious!
Cristina
It looks so delish! I always wanted to try chicken curry with coconut milk or yoghurt!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
This isn't a curry, but alright!
AnnaSzenasi.com
Wow it looks so mouth-watering๐คค I have to try it!!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
It's packing all the flavors!
Leigh Suznovich
YUM! Butter chicken is one of my favorite takeouts, so I definitely will be trying this at home.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Such a comforting chicken dish!
Jane Davidson | Typically Jane
OMG! This looks amazing. I'm definitey pinning for later and adding this into our recipe rotation!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
It will be the standout dinner!
Lily
Yum! I gotta try this soon!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Go for it!
Anna
Mm! Sounds so yummy and easy!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
It is pretty easy!
Naomi
On the hunt for some yummy paleo dishes and this sounds delicious. I love all the spices in this recipe. Can't wait to make it!
xoxo
Naomi
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Indian food is always so flavorful and delish!
Sarah
I've been trying to eat more paleo so i'll have to try this out! Looks delicious!!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
This chicken makes a great dinner then!
Chelsea
I have never heard of Indian butter chicken, but it sounds and looks phenomenal! Iโm always looking for new ways to cook chicken!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
It's a super cozy dish!
Stephanie
I wish I was more of a cook! Is there an instapot version of this? It sounds delicious!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
As long as you can heat a pan up, it's not difficult, lol!
Sunrita
An interesting take on butter chicken! Try it without the arrowroot starch. I think the consistency with the coconut milk should work well too! Butter chicken is perhaps an all time fav for most Indian food lovers. Good to have a non dairy option
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Um, what?