Paleo Indian Butter Chicken

1 tbsp olive or grapeseed oil

1 onion (1/2 lb.), peeled and chopped (I use fennel)

2 cloves garlic, minced

2 tbsp fresh ginger, finely chopped

1 fresh jalapeno, seeded, ribs removed, and chopped (I only used 1/2 large)

2 tsp garam masala

1 tsp chili powder

1 tsp cardamom

½ tsp coriander

1 can (6 oz) tomato paste

2 ½ cups chicken broth

½ cup half and half, heavy cream, alternative milk creamer, or coconut cream

2 bay leaves

2 ½ lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 3/4-inch chunks

½ tsp coarse-ground black pepper

1 tsp salt

¼ cup (1/8 lb.) butter or ghee

In a large nonstick skillet, add 1 Tbsp. of oil and heat over medium heat.

Add the onion (or fennel) and saute for 5 minutes. Add the ginger, garlic, and jalapeno and saute another 5 minutes.

Stir in the garam masala, chili powder, cardamom, and coriander. Saute for another 2 minutes.

Scrape mixture into a blender or food processor, add tomato paste and chicken broth, and blend until very smooth. Set aside. Wipe out pan with paper towel.

Pat the chicken dry (it browns better). Add salt and pepper. Heat same pan over medium heat and add 1 Tbsp. butter and the chicken.

Stir until chicken is no longer pink on the outside, about 3 minutes. Depending upon the size of the pan, you may want to cook the chicken in batches so as not to overcrowd it.

Add the sauce from the blender to the pan with all the chicken and the cream of choice.

Simmer over medium-low heat, stirring often, until the chicken is no longer pink in the center, about 15 minutes. Cut remaining 3 Tbsp. butter (or ghee) into chunks and stir into sauce until melted.

Serve over rice (or cauliflower rice). Squeeze lime juice from 1/4 lime over portions and garnish with cilantro. Se with naan alongside.

Nutrition Facts

0 servings

Serving size

1/8 recipe

Amount per serving
Calories368

% Daily Value *
Total Fat 16g21%

Saturated Fat 7g35%

Trans Fat 0g
Total Carbohydrate 6g3%

Dietary Fiber 2g8%

Total Sugars 4g
Protein 46g

* The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

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Paleo Indian Butter Chicken