Creamy Keto Butter Chicken Recipe with Easy Cauliflower Rice Tutorial
A rich and creamy keto-friendly butter chicken served over cauliflower rice, perfect for a low-carb, comforting meal ready in under 30 minutes.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Indian-inspired Keto
Ingredients
Scale
- 1.5 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/4 cup coconut cream (optional)
- 4 cups cauliflower rice (fresh or frozen)
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tablespoon grated ginger
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 2 teaspoons garam masala
- 1 teaspoon ground turmeric
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Fresh cilantro, chopped (optional)
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
Instructions
- Pat the chicken thighs dry and cut into 1.5-inch bite-sized pieces.
- Heat 1 tablespoon butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add cauliflower rice, season lightly with salt, and sauté for 5-7 minutes until tender but not mushy. Set aside and keep warm.
- In a large skillet, melt 2 tablespoons butter over medium heat. Add minced garlic and grated ginger, cooking until fragrant and just golden, about 1 minute.
- Stir in garam masala, turmeric, cumin, chili powder, and tomato paste. Cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly.
- Add chicken pieces to the skillet, stirring to coat with the spice mixture. Cook over medium-high heat for 6-8 minutes until browned on all sides but not fully cooked through.
- Reduce heat to medium-low. Pour in heavy cream and coconut cream if using. Stir gently and let simmer for 7-10 minutes until chicken is cooked through and sauce thickens. Season with salt and pepper.
- Remove from heat and stir in lemon juice. Garnish with chopped cilantro if desired.
- Serve the creamy butter chicken over warm cauliflower rice.
Notes
Use grass-fed butter for deeper flavor. Fresh cauliflower rice has better texture but frozen works well. For dairy-free, substitute heavy cream with full-fat coconut milk and use coconut oil instead of butter. Avoid overcrowding the pan when cooking chicken to ensure proper browning. If sauce is too thick, add water or broth; simmer longer if too thin.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (approxima
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 3
- Sodium: 400
- Fat: 35
- Saturated Fat: 20
- Carbohydrates: 8
- Fiber: 3
- Protein: 25
Keywords: keto, butter chicken, cauliflower rice, low-carb, creamy, easy dinner, keto dinner, gluten-free, dairy-free option