Paleo Dairy-Free Butter Chicken

Indulge in the rich, creamy flavors of Paleo Dairy-Free Butter Chicken, a healthier twist on the classic Indian favorite that's perfect for clean eating. Made with juicy, tender chicken thighs simmered in a luscious sauce of full-fat coconut milk, tomato paste, and aromatic spices like garam masala, cumin, and turmeric, this recipe is both dairy-free and paleo-friendly. Coconut oil and freshly grated ginger enhance the dish with bold, authentic flavors, while a touch of cayenne adds just the right amount of heat. Ready in under an hour, this one-pan recipe is ideal for weeknight dinners and pairs beautifully with cauliflower rice or fresh greens. Garnished with fragrant cilantro and brightened with a squeeze of lemon juice, this delicious, gluten-free dish is sure to become a household favorite!

Nutriscore Rating: 56/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:35 mins

Total Time:50 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 1 pound Chicken thighs, boneless and skinless
• 1 cup Coconut milk, full-fat
• 2 tablespoons Tomato paste
• 2 tablespoons Coconut oil
• 1 medium Onion, finely chopped
• 3 cloves Garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon Ginger, freshly grated
• 1 tablespoon Garam masala
• 1 teaspoon Cumin powder
• 1 teaspoon Coriander powder
• 0.5 teaspoon Turmeric powder
• 0.25 teaspoon Cayenne pepper
• 1 teaspoon Salt
• 2 tablespoons Fresh cilantro, chopped
• 1 tablespoon Lemon juice

Directions

Step 1

Cut the chicken thighs into bite-sized pieces and set aside.

Step 2

In a large pan, heat the coconut oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and sauté until golden brown, about 5-7 minutes.

Step 3

Add the garlic and ginger to the onions and cook for another 1-2 minutes until fragrant.

Step 4

Stir in the garam masala, cumin, coriander, turmeric, cayenne pepper, and salt. Toast the spices for 1 minute to release their flavors.

Step 5

Add the tomato paste to the pan and mix well with the spices and onion mixture.

Step 6

Pour in the coconut milk, stirring to combine, and bring the mixture to a simmer.

Step 7

Carefully add the chicken pieces into the sauce and mix until they are fully coated.

Step 8

Cover the pan and allow the chicken to cook in the sauce for 20-25 minutes over low heat, stirring occasionally until the chicken is cooked through and the sauce has thickened.

Step 9

Once the chicken is fully cooked, stir in the lemon juice and fresh cilantro.

Step 10

Serve the Paleo Dairy-Free Butter Chicken hot with cauliflower rice or a side of your choice.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(916.8g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1889.0

Total Fat 137.5g	0%
Saturated Fat 87.0g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.5g
Cholesterol 567.0mg	0%
Sodium 2833.7mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 43.7g	0%
Dietary Fiber 12.5g	0%
Total Sugars 16.6g
Protein 128.0g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 230.7mg	0%
Iron 20.3mg	0%
Potassium 2491.6mg	0%

*The % Daily Value 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.

Source of Calories

Fat: 64.3%

Protein: 26.6%

Carbs: 9.1%