Chicken Thigh Curry is an easy weeknight meal loaded with taste. All you need are simple ingredients and a short cooking time, and you'll be enjoying juicy bites of chicken thigh with the perfect curry flavor in no time at all. Keto Butter Chicken is an easy Indian curry recipe the whole family will love.
There's just something so empowering about being able to make your own curry recipe. I used to order this from a restaurant because, for some reason, I thought the difficulty level of making curry at home would be so much more difficult. I was totally wrong, and happily so.
The tender chicken paired with the flavor of curry is really unlike anything out there. You can easily add fresh cilantro on top or even add diced onions for a little bit of a crunch. Making curry is one of those dinner recipes that offers wonderful taste but leaves the option to change it up a bit as you want.
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We let everyone dish out their own serving size of keto butter chicken curry and then "doctor" it up as they see fit. Some like it spicy, some like it over rice, some over cauliflower rice, and some just gobble it up and ask for more.
Speaking of great recipes, be sure to check out my Thai Peanut Curry as well. When it comes to curry dishes, this one is crazy delicious also.
Ingredients
Butter - Salted or unsalted butter works fine.
Onion - I like using red or purple onion for the sweetness, but a yellow onion is delicious.
Boneless skinless chicken thighs - This is the best cut of chicken to use so that it's ready to cook without any type of prep work.
Lemon juice - Lime juice would also work, but fresh lemon juice is best.
Paprika - Smoked paprika is another great ingredient to add.
Minced garlic - If you don't have garlic cloves, you can use garlic powder.
Garam masala - Must have ingredient to give that curry flavoring. Garam masala is normally a blend of various spices, including cardamom, coriander, cinnamon, cloves, cumin, and pepper. The spices are roasted and ground together to create a powder that can be used to flavor various dishes. While there is no one standard recipe for garam masala, this spice blend is commonly used in Indian cuisine to add flavor and depth to curries, stews, and other cooked dishes.
Ground cumin - Added for taste.
Heavy cream - Helps add richness and thickness to the keto butter chicken curry.
Tomato paste - Needed to add a bit of acidity with the rest of the ingredients.
Crushed red pepper - This is optional but perfect for adding a little spice.
Salt - To taste.
How to make Chicken Thigh Curry
Step One: Melt two tablespoons of the butter in a large nonstick skillet on medium heat. Add onion and cook until softened.
Step Two: Add chicken and lemon juice. Cover and cook until the chicken is no longer pink.
Stir in the paprika, minced garlic, garam masala, and cumin; cook and stir for 1 minute.
Step Three: Mix the cream, tomato paste, and remaining butter in. Add salt and red pepper to taste, if desired. Bring to a simmer.
Step Four: Reduce heat to low; stirring frequently, simmer for 5 minutes or until the sauce is slightly thickened. Turn to low and simmer until ready to serve.
Variations
Add ginger - If you want to add some ground ginger to the curry powder ingredients, it adds an excellent flavor.
Use chicken broth - You can cut a bit of the cream by using broth instead. Just a small amount will do, and is also a great way to cut out some of the extra calories.
Add vegetables - You can easily add spinach and carrots to the mix. I've also added broccoli from the freezer as well, and it turned out really well.
Make it spicy - For some extra heat, you can add some spicy chopped chilies, chili powder, or even a bit of cayenne pepper.
Add nuts - Crushed peanuts are a great topping for chicken thigh curry. This is a fun way to add protein to the dish while also adding a great texture. Pairing that crunch with the soft texture of the chicken is excellent.
Dairy-free - Sub in full-fat coconut milk for the heavy cream and butter-flavored coconut oil for the butter.
Common Questions
Is chicken thigh better for curry?
I think so. It is moist and tender and won't dry out.
Can I use other cuts of chicken besides boneless chicken thighs?
You can if you want. If you want to use boneless skinless chicken breast or chicken tenderloins to make this chicken curry, go for it.
What is butter chicken?
Indian butter chicken curry is a deliciously rich and creamy dish that is perfect for a winter night. The chicken is cooked in a spiced tomato gravy and then simmered in butter and cream, giving it a rich and decadent flavor. Serve this keto butter chicken over cauli-rice to keep it keto. For the rest of the family you can serve with steamed rice or with naan bread for a complete meal.
What do you serve with curry?
It's up to you. Some people like to serve chicken thigh curry with naan bread, while others enjoy pouring it over basmati rice. If you want a lower-carb option, you can use cauliflower rice as well.
Don't forget to garnish with lime wedges! Excellent for adding a bit of citrus burst to each bite!
How do I store leftover curry?
For the best flavor and taste, store it in an airtight container and keep it in the fridge. You can reheat in the microwave or low and slow on the stovetop for the best results. Eat within 2-3 days.
📖 Recipe
Ingredients
- 6 tablespoon butter divided
- 1 onion halved and sliced
- 2.5-3 lb boneless skinless chicken thighs
- 3 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon paprika
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic
- 2 teaspoon garam masala
- 2 teaspoon ground cumin
- ½ cup heavy cream
- ¼ cup tomato paste
- ¼-1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper optional
- 1.5 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Melt two tablespoons of the butter in a large nonstick skillet on medium heat. Add onion and cook until softened.
- Add chicken and lemon juice. Cover and cook until the chicken is no longer pink. Stir in the paprika, minced garlic, garam masala, and cumin; cook and stir for 1 minute.
- Mix the cream, tomato paste, and remaining butter in. Add salt and red pepper to taste, if desired. Bring to a simmer.
- Reduce heat to low; stirring frequently, simmer 5 minutes or until slightly thickened. Turn to low and simmer until ready to serve.
wilhelmina says
This turned out super delicious! My family really enjoyed it!
Katie says
The chicken cooks up so tender and the flavor of the curry is top notch!
Ashley says
This was perfect for dinner. I love using chicken thighs for curry and this recipe was a winner.
Natalie says
This chicken thigh curry was approved by my entire family last weekend. They all just loved it, thanks!
Shannon H says
I made this tonight and we really liked it! It's only my second attempt at butter chicken but we liked this recipe much more than the first one I tried. The only small changes I made was to add 1 tbsp sweetener and 1/4 tsp glucomannan powder as a thickener (we can't tolerate xantham gum). We enjoyed it over cauli rice and keto naan bread. My husband said I should make it again. 🙂