How to Make Healthy Butter Chicken

Try This Healthy Crockpot Butter Chicken, A Simple Recipe for Guilt Free Comfort Food. You’re Welcome!

Craving silky smooth butter chicken without the guilt? This simple and healthy crockpot recipe uses lean protein and swaps in a creamy no-fat Greek yogurt for a silky and luxurious feel that’s kind on your diet and your waistline. Packed with warm spices and vibrant flavors, it’s a satisfying and guilt free comfort food for any day of the week and perfect for meal prep as well.

Are Butter Chicken and Tikka Masala the same?

Both are beloved Indian dishes that are similar but distinct. Both are curries, but with notably different flavors. Tikka masala features a tomato base, while its spice blend creates a fragrant dish with a delightful balance of tangy, sweet, and spicy notes. Traditionally, Tikka Masala is prepared a bit spicier than this recipe .

Origins of Butter Chicken

The origins of the dish are a bit murky, but the dish appears to have originated in India. The dish which is rich with butter differs from traditional Indian cuisine. Some theories suggest the dish was created to satisfy British palates during British colonial rule, while India remained part of the British empire. One story claims that a patron of an Indian restaurant complained his chicken was too dry and sent it back. The chef then covered the chicken with an improvised creamy and rich sauce, laying the foundation of this beloved recipe.

The true origin of the dish is currently being disputed by two families in an Indian court. Both claim the dish was invented by their families in the 1940’s. The outcome of the trial will post date this article. However, we are all free to enjoy the dish regardless of its outcome.

What does Butter Chicken Taste Like?

This recipes magic lies in its luxuriously rich and velvety sauce. Made with tomatoes, butter, and cream, the sauce creates a base that’s both comforting and decadent. The spices, expertly blended into a “curry,” add another layer of intrigue. They are not overpowering, but offer a delightful complexity with hints of sweetness, tang, and a subtle kick. A perfect marriage of texture and flavor profile, it’s no wonder this dish has become such a beloved classic.

Is Butter Chicken a Curry?

Let’s clear up the confusion around curry! While many associate it with Indian food, curry is actually a spice blend. Most commonly, curry is used to create flavorful sauces for savory dishes. This flavorful mix forms the base for countless dishes across South and Southeast Asia, including Indian, Thai, and even Japanese variations. Each region brings its own unique twist, resulting in a dazzling array of flavors. Curries can range from mild to fiery, come in pre-made powders and pastes for convenience. Better yet, you can create your own custom blend at home.

This recipe uses a curry spice blend to create its magnificent sauce, so this dish is a curry. It would be considered a mild curry with minimal spice and a more subtle flavor.

Is Butter Chicken Healthy?

The sauce for the dish is traditionally made with butter and cream. The result is a luxurious meal that is heavy in calories and fat. Definitely not part of a health focused diet.

However, our version substitutes the cream and most of the butter for plain, no-fat Greek yogurt. The result is a sauce that maintains its creamy and luxurious texture while eliminating the calories and fat from the cream and butter. Give it a try!

Can this Butter Chicken Recipe be Frozen?

This recipe yields enough to feed 4 to 6 people, but you can easily double or triple it to accommodate a larger crowd. Plus, it freezes beautifully, making it a perfect option for meal prepping. Whether you’re looking for a healthy, satisfying weeknight dinner or planning meals in advance, this recipe is a winner.

Butter Chicken in a Crockpot?

This recipe is all about convenience! We use a slow cooker for a hands-off approach. Slow cookers are extremely convenient for todays busy lifestyle and permits the cooking to happen while you aren’t home. Simply fill the pot with the recipes ingredients before your day, attach the cooker to a timer and have it start cooking before you are home. To pick one out, these small appliances are pretty much a commodity so just click on the above link and pick one that fits your style.

To prepare this recipe, create the sauce, toss everything together in the crockpot, set it to low, and relax for 3-4 hours until dinner is ready. Don’t have a slow cooker? No problem! The recipe can also be made in a heavy-bottomed sauté pan or Dutch oven. You might just need to stir occasionally to prevent burning, especially if your stove doesn’t have a very low setting. A slow cooker works really well with this recipe.

How do you Serve Butter Chicken?

The most common sides, or companions to this dish are:

• Naan or garlic naan bread as a side, to scoop every last drop of the amazing and decadent sauce.
• Rice, basmati rice is most traditional. Try brown rice for added fiber.
• Serve leftovers as a topping to a Pizza! This isn’t traditional but pizza works as a terrific base for the chicken and decadent sauce. Simply top with mozzerella and maybe some red onion and cilantro.
  

Butter Chicken Sauce made with Yogurt?

Craving this decadent dish without the guilt? We hear you! The secret lies in a clever swap: plain no-fat Greek yogurt. This magic ingredient replaces most of the butter and all of the cream in the sauce, slashing fat and calories without sacrificing that luxurious, silky texture we all love. It’s a healthy twist that proves you can have your butter chicken and eat it too!

Is Slow Cooker Butter Chicken a Quick and Easy Recipe?

This recipe is certainly easy, but caramelizing the onions adds a step that takes some time. While the slow cooker itself makes the cooking process hands-off, it won’t be a quick and easy meal unless you caramelize the onions beforehand. Here’s the trick: prep the onions the day before! Then, on the day you want to make this meal, simply toss everything in the slow cooker and let it work its magic. In just 2-4 hours, your delicious butter chicken will be ready to serve!

How do I make Healthy Crockpot Butter Chicken?

To make this recipe, start by slicing the onions. Add the sliced onions to a nonstick pan coated with butter and caramelize. We suggest using a good quality non stick pan that will allow you to caramelize with a minimal amount of butter. We love our green pan, it is non stick and has lasted much longer than previous non stick pans we have used. Continue cooking the onions on low to medium heat until they reduce substantially in volume and take on a beautiful light brown color. If they begin to burn, your pan is too hot. If they begin to stick, add more butter.

While the onions are cooking, cut up the chicken, then measure out the spices and ingredients for the sauce. For additional flavor or to save time, consider preparing the sauce and chicken the day before. You can add a half cup of the sauce to the chicken and let it marinate overnight to enhance the flavor of the chicken. This step is optional.

When the onions are fragrant and a light brown color, remove them from heat. Add the caramelized onions and remaining ingredients (except for the no-fat yogurt and butter) to a blender and purée until smooth. Place the cut up chicken into the crockpot and cover with the sauce. Add the plain no-fat Greek yogurt and remaining butter and mix together. Cover and cook on low in slow cooker for 2 -4 hours, or high for 1-2 hours. When done, the chicken will be tender and the sauce will be thick, creamy and silky with a luxurious texture.

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