I hope everyone is having a happy and healthy new year so far. Mine has been filled with family time and cooking which are two of my favorite things. However, after a treat filled holiday season, I am excited to get back into some healthy cooking. This dairy-free “butter chicken” is the perfect recipe to add to your healthy dinner recipes repertoire since it is healthy, simple to make and absolutely delicious. I do want to mention that this is by no means a “traditional” butter-chicken recipe, it is simply inspired by the flavors found in my favorite Indian dish. With all that being said, let’s get to cooking. Here is how my favorite dairy-free “butter chicken” is made:
In a large dutch-oven or heavy bottom pot, heat up your avocado oil over medium heat. Add in the onion, garlic, ginger and mushrooms.
Let cook for about 5 minutes, stirring often so that the garlic doesn’t burn on the bottom. You are looking for the onions to be nice and translucent.
Next, add in your cubed chicken and cook for another 5 minutes. The chicken will not be fully cooked through which is okay since we will be simmering it in the sauce later.
Add in the tomato paste and spices, give everything a good mix and let cook for another 3 minutes.
Pour in the coconut milk, chicken broth and honey. Raise your heat to medium-high and stir to combine all the ingredients.
Bring the sauce to a simmer and let cook uncovered for 15 minutes stirring regularly. You do not want your sauce to be at a rapid boil, just a simmer.
After the 15 minutes are up, add in your chopped red bell peppers and let cook for another 15 minutes.
During that last 15 minutes, I would recommend prepping your rice.
After the full half hour, your dairy-free “butter chicken” should be significantly thicker. Remove from the heat and stir in the fresh cilantro.
Serve on a bed of rice and enjoy!
"DAIRY-FREE" BUTTER CHICKEN
Ingredients
- 3 tbsp avocado oil , or coconut oil
- 1 medium yellow onion , very finely chopped
- 4 cloves of garlic , minced
- 1 inch piece of fresh ginger , minced
- 8 oz mushrooms , chopped
- 2 large boneless/skinless chicken breasts, or 6 boneless/skinless chick thighs , cubed
- 1/4 cup tomato paste
- 5 tsp garam masala *see note
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp chili powder
- 1/8 tsp black pepper
- 3/4 tsp sea salt
- 1 can coconut milk , full fat
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 2 tbsp honey
- 2 large red bell peppers , chopped into 1 inch pieces
- 1/4 cup fresh cilantro , chopped
FOR SERVING
- Cooked rice of choice
Instructions
-
In a large dutch-oven or heavy bottom pot, heat up your avocado oil over medium heat.
-
Add in the onion, garlic, ginger and mushrooms. Let cook for about 5 minutes, stirring often so that the garlic doesn’t burn on the bottom. You are looking for the onions to be nice and translucent.
-
Add in your cubed chicken and cook for another 5 minutes. The chicken will not be fully cooked through which is okay since we will be simmering it in the sauce later.
-
Add in the tomato paste and spices, give everything a good mix and let cook for another 3 minutes.
-
Pour in the coconut milk, chicken broth and honey. Raise your heat to medium-high and stir to combine all the ingredients.
-
Bring the sauce to a simmer and let cook uncovered for 15 minutes stirring regularly. You do not want your sauce to be at a rapid boil, just a simmer.
-
After the 15 minutes are up, add in your chopped red bell pepper and let cook for another 15 minutes.
-
During that last 15 minutes, I would recommend prepping your rice.
-
After the full half hour, your dairy-free “butter chicken” should be significantly thicker. Remove from the heat and stir in the fresh cilantro.
-
Serve on a bed of rice and enjoy.
Recipe Notes
Garam Masala is a traditional Indian spice blend that is easy to find in most grocery stores. If you are in Canada, it is readily available at Bulk Barn and Farm Boy.