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indian butter chicken

Best Dairy Free Indian Butter Chicken!

This is the best dairy free Indian butter chicken recipe you will every make! My dairy free chicken recipe can be made in the instant pot, slow cooker, or stove top the choice is up to you. Butter chicken is so easy to make and filled with flavor the whole family will love!
5 from 2 votes
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 15 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine Indian
Servings 6 people
Calories 456 kcal

Equipment

  • Large frying pan or wok
  • Instant pot
  • slow cooker
  • Immersion blender

Ingredients
  

For the marinated chicken:

  • 6 chicken thighs sub 3 large chicken breasts
  • 1 lemon
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon garam masala
  • 1 tablespoon salt

For the dairy free butter chicken sauce:

Instructions
 

How to marinate the chicken:

  • This chicken is best marinated overnight. But, in a time pinch, you can marinate the chicken while the sauce cooks.
    Add 6 chicken thighs to a large bowl along with the juice of 1 lemon, 2 cloves of minced garlic, 1 tablespoon garam masala, and 1 tablespoon salt.
    Use tongs to completely coat all the chicken thighs with the mixture.
    Cover and allow to marinate in the fridge overnight.

How to make the butter chicken sauce:

  • Heat 2 tablespoons avocado oil over medium heat in a large frying pan or wok.
    Add the 1 diced yellow onion and cook it until it is softened and translucent.
    Add the 4 cloves minced garlic and 1 tablespoon minced ginger and cook until it is just fragrant.
  • Next, add 2 tablespoons garam masala, ½ teaspoon smoked paprika, ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon, 2 teaspoons sea salt, 2 cups diced tomatoes, and a handful of fresh cilantro.
    Bring the mixture to a low simmer.
    Use an immersion blender to puree the sauce right in the pan.
  • Add the marinated chicken.
    Cover the pan with a lid and cook on low for ~1 hour.
    You can test and make sure the chicken is done before serving by cutting a piece of chicken in half if it is still pink it is not done. Or, use a kitchen thermometer, it should be 165 degrees internally.
  • While the chicken cooks, prepare your rice.
    I usually use about 2 cups of dry rice with 4 cups of water.
    But, you can make more rice than this.
  • Stir in the can of coconut milk just before serving.
    Serve warm with the cooked rice and naan bread.
  • Enjoy!

DAIRY FREE BUTTER CHICKEN INSTANT POT DIRECTIONS

  • STEP 1- set instant pot to sauté setting. Add the oil then sauté the onions till soft. Add the garlic and ginger. Sauté till fragrant.
    STEP 2- add all of the rest of the ingredients. Cover and set valve to sealing. Pressure cook on high for 15 minutes.
    STEP 3- remove chicken and puree the sauce. Remove the cooked chicken with a slotted spoon. Use an immersion blender to puree your dairy free butter chicken sauce. Add the chicken back in and toss in the pureed sauce.

DAIRY FREE BUTTER CHICKEN SLOW COOKER DIRECTIONS

  • STEP 1- add all ingredients to your slow cooker.
    STEP 2- slow cook. Cover your slow cooker and cook for 8 hours on low setting.
    STEP 3- remove chicken and puree the sauce. Add chicken back in and stir to coat the chicken again.

Notes

Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Nutritional information does not include the naan bread or the rice.

Nutrition

Serving: 1servingCalories: 456kcalCarbohydrates: 14gProtein: 31gFat: 17gPotassium: 874mgFiber: 4g
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