Indulge guilt-free with our mouthwatering Keto Butter Chicken recipe! Creamy and rich, this low-carb twist on a classic Indian favorite combines tender chicken in a luscious tomato and butter sauce, all without the carbs. It's always a big hit with the family and when entertaining.
Try it this week, it really is a sensational keto curry recipe!
A bowl filled with keto butter chicken and palmini rice.

Is Butter Chicken Keto?

Authentic Butter Chicken recipes are packed with sugar-laden sauces and high-carb ingredients. To make keto-friendly butter chicken, we’ve made a few clever swaps:

  1. Low-Carb Tomato Sauce: We’ll use a keto-friendly crushed tomatoes without added sugar to maintain that delightful tomatoey flavor.
  2. Rich Creaminess: Heavy cream takes the place of yogurt or other dairy products, providing that classic velvety texture without the carbs.

Why We Love This Recipe

Murgh Makhani or Butter Chicken, is easily one of the most popular curry recipes around the globe. If you love a good curry and Indian food then this dish is a must-try!

Low carb – with just 6g net carbs per serving this butter chicken is not only delicious but also naturally low carb.

Everyday ingredients – Made mostly with everyday ingredients found in most pantries.

Quick and easy – an easy butter chicken recipe that really is fuss-free.

Various Cooking methods – you can make this butter chicken in Instant Pot, slow cooker, stovetop, low oven and thermal cooker e.g. Thermomix.

Butter Chicken Ingredients on a white table.

The Ingredients

  • Chicken Thigh fillets – use skinless chicken thighs for this recipe. You can use chicken breast fillets instead. Just watch the cooking time. For a vegetarian alternative use cauliflower florets, paneer, or firm tofu.
  • Black or brown cardamom pods – add great flavour to the butter chicken. You can find these pods in Indian market grocers.
  • Fenugreek leaves (also known as Kasoori Methi) – make all the difference in this recipe. Seeds or fenugreek powder are just not the same.
  • Kashmiri chili powder – is actually a mild chili powder.

How to Make It

Step 1. Combine all the marinade ingredients in a large bowl. Add the chicken thighs and coat with the marinade. Leave to marinate for 1-2 hours or overnight.

Step 2. Melt ghee in a pan over moderate heat. Add onion, garlic, ginger, cardamom, coriander, garam masala, turmeric, and chilli powder. Stir well and sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant. Add fenugreek leaves, tomatoes and tomato paste. Bring to a simmer and reduce by a third.

Step 3. Add the chicken to the sauce (or grill first then add) and reduce heat to a low simmer. Simmer chicken for 10-12 minutes or until cooked through. Add the butter, cream and almond meal.

Step 4. Stir continuously until the butter has melted and the sauce is thick and velvety.

How to Make Butter Chicken in the Instant Pot

1. Combine marinade ingredients in a non-reactive bowl coating chicken well. Cover and chill for 3-4 hours.

2. Add all ingredients to Instant Pot except butter, cream and almond meal. Set Pot to 10 minutes high pressure. Allow to naturally release for 10 minutes then release remaining pressure

3. Add the butter, heavy cream and almond meal. Stir continuously until the butter has melted and the sauce is thick and velvety. (Add more almond meal as needed if the sauce is not thick enough). Season to taste.

Brown bowl with butter chicken and rice in it.

How to Make Butter Chicken in the Thermomix

Cooking butter chicken in the Thermomix is surprisingly one of my preferred ways to do it. I do have a lot of Thermomix chicken recipes. The keto butter chicken is one of my personal favourites.

Thermomix Butter Chicken is highly searched for among the Thermomix Australia community and we all know that Skinnymixers Butter Chicken gets a lot of testing.

Personally, I love my keto butter chicken that is a third of the carbs, easier and quicker and uses more authentic ingredients and flavours.

Here is how to make my keto butter chicken in a Thermomix.

1. Combine marinade ingredients in a non-reactive bowl coating chicken well. Cover and chill for 3-4 hours.

2. Place onion and garlic into the mixer; chop 3 sec/speed 6. Add the ghee, ginger, cardamom, coriander, garam masala, turmeric and chilli powder to mixer; cook 2 min/100℃/MC off/stir.

3. Add fenugreek leaves, tomatoes and tomato paste; cook 14 min/100℃/MC off/basket on top/stir.

4. Add the butter, cream almond meal and chicken. Stir using a spatula to ensure chicken is completely covered in the sauce. Cook 12 min/100℃/ basket on top/reverse /stir. (Add more almond meal as needed if the sauce is not thick enough). Season to taste. Serve as above.

What to Serve with Butter Chicken

Serve this delightful keto butter chicken over cauliflower rice, steamed broccoli, or spinach for a complete, low-carb meal. Don’t forget to garnish with fresh cilantro for that authentic touch.

The butter chicken is also perfect with Stuffed Keto Naan from our Keto Breads eBook.

Bowl of curry chicken and rice.

Tips for Success and FAQs

  • Don’t skip the marinating step; it infuses the chicken with incredible flavor.
  • Adjust the spice level to your liking by tweaking the cayenne pepper or using a milder chili powder.
  • Simmer the sauce until it thickens to achieve that perfect creamy consistency.
How long will butter chicken keep in the fridge?

Store in the fridge for up to 3 days. Otherwise, freeze in individual serves in an airtight container for when you need an easy meal.

What is the difference between butter chicken and chicken tikka masala?

They are very similar but butter chicken is milder and creamier than a tikka masala.

There is too much sauce? My sauce is runny?

The sauce is so good you will eat it with a spoon, trust me. There is never too much sauce in my opinion. Allow the butter chicken to rest for 10 minutes before serving. Or cook it the next day. The sauce will thicken upon resting.

I do love a good keto curry myself. Here are just a few of my best keto dinner recipes.

  1. Massaman Chicken Curry
  2. Thai Penang Chicken Curry
  3. Red Curry Chicken Chiang Mai Style
  4. Malaysian Meat Curry Powder
Keto Butter chicken in a brown bowl and topped with yogurt and cilantro.

Easy Keto Butter Chicken

Indulge guilt-free with our mouthwatering Keto Butter Chicken recipe! Creamy and rich, this low-carb twist on a classic Indian favorite combines tender chicken in a luscious tomato and butter sauce, all without the carbs. It’s always a big hit with the family and when entertaining.
Try it this week, it really is a sensational keto curry recipe!
4.96 from 47 votes!
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes
Course: Lunch and Dinner
Cuisine: Indian
Diet: Diabetic, Gluten Free
Recipe Category: Low Carb
Calories: 318kcal
Author: Megan Ellam
Servings: 6 serves
Tap or hover over number to scale ingredients
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Ingredients 

CHICKEN MARINADE

  • ½ teaspoon (½ teaspoon) ground cumin
  • ½ teaspoon (½ teaspoon) garam masala
  • ½ teaspoon (½ teaspoon) ground turmeric
  • ½ teaspoon (½ teaspoon) Kashmiri chilli powder See notes
  • 70 g ( cups) Greek yoghurt plus extra to serve
  • 900 g (6 cups) chicken breast or thigh fillets (I recommend thigh) cut into 3 -4 cm cubes

CURRY SAUCE

  • 2 tablespoons (2 tablespoons) 40g ghee or melted unsalted butter or coconut oil
  • ½ (½) onion 100g finely minced
  • 2 (2) garlic cloves finely chopped
  • 2 teaspoons (2 teaspoons) ginger paste
  • 2 (2) brown/black cardamom pods bruised. See Notes
  • 1 teaspoon (1 teaspoon) ground coriander
  • 1 teaspoon (1 teaspoon) garam masala
  • 2 teaspoons (2 teaspoons) ground turmeric
  • 1 teaspoon (1 teaspoon) Kashmiri chilli powder See Notes
  • 1 tablespoon (1 tablespoon) fenugreek leaves See Notes
  • 400 g (14 oz) tomatoes crushed
  • 2 tablespoons (2 tablespoons) tomato paste
  • 40 g (1 ⅖ oz) butter
  • 100 g (3 ½ oz) thickened cream or coconut cream. See Notes
  • 3 tablespoons (3 tablespoons) almond meal or use 1 tablespoon of gelatin to thicken
  • Salt and pepper to taste

TO SERVE

  • Fresh coriander leaves cauliflower rice and extra yoghurt
  • Cauliflower Rice

Instructions

CONVENTIONAL METHOD

  • Combine marinade ingredients in a non-reactive bowl coating chicken well. Cover and chill for 1-2 hours or leave overnight.
  • Melt ghee in a pan over moderate heat. Add onion, garlic, ginger, cardamom, coriander, garam masala, turmeric, and chilli powder. Stir well and sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
  • Add fenugreek leaves, tomatoes and tomato paste. Bring to a simmer and reduce by a third. Add the chicken to the pan and reduce heat to a low simmer. Simmer chicken for 10-12 minutes or until cooked through.
  • Add the butter, cream and almond meal. Stir continuously until the butter has melted and the sauce begins to thicken. Leave to rest, covered, for 10-15 minutes to allow the sauce to thicken. Season to taste. Serve with cauliflower rice, coriander leaves and extra yoghurt.

THERMOMIX METHOD

  • Combine marinade ingredients in a non-reactive bowl coating chicken well. Cover and chill for 1-2 hours.
  • Place onion and garlic into mixer; chop 3 sec/speed 6. Add the ghee, ginger, cardamom, coriander, garam masala, turmeric, and chilli powder to mixer; cook 2 min/100℃/MC off/stir.
  • Add fenugreek leaves, tomatoes and tomato paste; cook 14 min/100℃/MC off/basket on top/stir.
  • Add the butter, cream almond meal and chicken. Stir using a spatula to ensure chicken is completely covered in the sauce. Cook 12 min/100℃/basket on top/reverse /stir. Leave to rest, covered, for 10-15 minutes to allow the sauce to thicken. Season to taste. Serve as above.

INSTANT POT OR PRESSURE COOKER METHOD

  • Combine marinade ingredients in a non-reactive bowl coating chicken well. Cover and chill for 1-2 hours.
  • Add all ingredients to Instant Pot except butter, cream and almond meal. Set Pot to 10 minutes high pressure/naturally release for 10 minutes then release remaining pressure.
  • Add the butter, cream and almond meal. Stir continuously until the butter has melted and the sauce is thickened. Leave to rest, covered, for 10-15 minutes to allow the sauce to thicken. Season to taste. Serve with cauliflower rice, coriander leaves and extra yoghurt.

Notes

TO SERVE
I recommend a small serving of Cauliflower Rice, extra Greek yoghurt (or our 2 Ingredient Yoghurt) and coriander leaves. Simple and delicious. Serve with Stuffed Keto Naan which you will find in our Keto Breads eBook.
STORING Low carb butter chicken will also store in the fridge for up to 3 days. Otherwise, freeze in individual serves in an airtight container for when you need an easy meal. 
INGREDIENTS & SUBSTITUTES
Kashmiri chilli powder is a very mild Indian chilli powder. It adds flavour and colour to the low carb Butter Chicken without adding heat.
Black or brown cardamom pods are available at Indian/Asian grocers and have a different flavour profile than green cardamom pods.
Fenugreek leaves are authentic to a butter chicken gravy. They are completely different to the powder or seeds for adding flavour and I strongly recommend sourcing them and using them in this recipe.
To make dairy free butter chicken or paleo butter chicken recipe replace butter with coconut oil and swap cream to coconut cream.  Swap breast or chicken on the bone, if preferred. The chicken can be grilled before adding it to the gravy.
For a vegan butter chicken alternative, use tofu or cauliflower. For more tasty low carb chicken recipes try our Baked Italian Chicken Thighs, Chicken Tikka, Baked Tandoori Chicken or Chicken Korma.

Your Own Notes

Nutrition

Serving: 1serve | Calories: 318kcal | Carbohydrates: 8g | Protein: 35g | Fat: 16g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Trans Fat: 0.2g | Cholesterol: 130mg | Sodium: 358mg | Potassium: 843mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 691IU | Vitamin C: 10mg | Calcium: 63mg | Iron: 2mg | Magnesium: 58mg | Net Carbs: 6g
Tried this recipe?Mention @meganellam or tag #madcreations!

You will find a lot of keto chicken recipes here as well as keto Indian recipes. I am a little bit of a fan so you will find more each month.

Megan Ellam is an Australian keto recipes blogger living in Thornton, NSW. She is the author of amazing keto cookbooks such as Slow Cook KetoKeto LocoThe Healthy Family Keto Cookbook and Every Day Keto.

Share This Recipe

105 responses to “Easy Keto Butter Chicken Recipe”

  1. Lynda H

    5 stars
    What a MARVELLOUS dish you have created Megan ❤️
    I used a pressure cooker this afternoon to make it .
    Love how the chicken thighs are cooked in 10mins.
    What’s a head spinner for me 💫.
    Keep creating hun you and your test team are brilliant 🥰

    1. Megan Mad Creations Hub

      Thanks so much Lynda. I am so happy you are enjoying the Butter Chicken. Also thanks for taking the time to leave such a nice review.

  2. Karen Harris

    5 stars
    Loved this – one of the best butter chickens I have ever made. I used the conventional method. Really yummy! Thank you Megan

  3. Jacquie Kehoe

    5 stars
    Best Butter Chicken recipe l wouldn’t change a thing. What a winner Megan!

  4. Khushnuma Fitter

    Hi Megan
    I have tried the butter chicken recipe and the only thing I did that was different from the recipe was i blitz the curry sauce before adding the chicken because otherwise it was too chunky for my liking and added a bit more almond meal to thicken the curry but apart from that followed the recipe to the T
    I realised that my colour was different from yours as it was much lighter. It taste good however next time I will try adding slightly more chilli as it was a bit mild for me. The recipe however with a few tweaks to suit my liking is a really good recipe thank you 😊

  5. Fran

    5 stars
    Very tasty – and easy to make. Used my Thermie.
    Didn’t use the Tandoori food colouring. Found three ingredients I didn’t have at my local Asian grocer.
    Will definitely be making again!

    1. Megan Mad Creations Hub

      That is so awesome Fran. I am glad you enjoyed the dish. Thanks so much for leaving a review too.

  6. Jennifer Banz

    5 stars
    Fabulous and authentic butter chicken recipe!

    1. Megan Mad Creations Hub

      Thank you so much Jennifer. I am so glad you enjoyed it.

  7. Natalie

    5 stars
    That looks delicious. I absolutely love everything in this recipe, the spices and herbs, the chicken… yummy. I must make this soon for me and my family. Can’t wait!

    1. Megan Mad Creations Hub

      Let us know wha you think Natalie

  8. Jo

    5 stars
    Butter chicken is something I make very often in my kitchen. My family loves it. With naan it’s the best dinner you can have. Love this keto version of my favorite curry.

    1. Megan Mad Creations Hub

      So glad you love it Jo.

  9. Hazel

    5 stars
    Wow this was utterly butterly the best butter chicken by far. It made 6 generous servings and was enjoyed by the whole family. The depth of flavour from the spices was amazing loved cooking it in the Thermomix thanks Madcreations for another fabulous recipe. Definitely going to be a family favourite 😊

    1. Megan Mad Creations Hub

      That is so awesome! Love hearing that recipes are enjoyed by the whole family Hazel. Thank you so much for taking the time to make the Butter Chicken and review.

  10. GUNJAN C Dudani

    5 stars
    I passed on your blog to my sis in law. She loves this recipe and is shopping the ingredients. We will update you on how it went 🙂

    1. Megan Mad Creations Hub

      Thanks for sharing and giving the recipe a go Gunjan. I hope it measures up for you both.

  11. Jessica Kirk

    5 stars
    Love this. Always looking for a tasty low-carb recipe that I can throw in the instant pot and deliver to family and guests. The combination of flavors will impress everyone!

    1. Megan Mad Creations Hub

      Thanks Jessica I am a bit of an Instant Pot fan myself. Enjoy!

  12. Claire

    4 stars
    This was a delicious Butter Chicken, and I’m sure it will taste even better tomorrow as the flavours intensify.
    It had very authentic flavours without being too spicy or overpowering. I followed the recipe exactly without increasing the amount of spices, and found the flavours fantastic.
    It was very quick to make and I liked that compared to other butter chicken recipes I have made in the past.
    I made the Thermal recipe and I found it quick and easy.
    I didn’t have the Tandoori colouring, but found the fenugreek leaves at my local Asian supermarket. I already had all the other spices I needed as I make Indian dishes quite regularly.
    I marinated the chicken for about 6 hours prior to cooking, and the rest of the recipe was very straightforward to follow.
    The flavours were authentic and thumbs up for a quick and delicious butter chicken recipe.
    My 10 year old son who considers himself a butter chicken connoisseur, gave it a 9 and 3/4 out of 10. 😋
    Overall, we thought it was a great Keto recipe, and was quick to make with authentic flavours.
    We served it with with cauliflower rice, yoghurt and coriander to accompany.
    Thanks for a great recipe Megan.
    We will be making it again.
    Who needs to eat out when you can create this easily at home. 😊

    1. Megan Mad Creations Hub

      Thanks so much for the great review Claire. So happy that we got such a big score from Master 10 😅
      It is so much better when you make your own in my opinion and yes it tastes better the next day.

  13. Megan

    5 stars
    Awesome! Made exactly as per the recipe, used thigh fillets and also doubled the recipe. Fed 4 adults with enough left over for dinner tomorrow for 2 of us and also lunch! I did the pressure cooker version. I’m lucky to have an Indian grocer not far which had all the ingredients. Super easy, not hot at all and the flavours were amazing. Hubby says better than the takeaway, son and girlfriend have given it the thumbs up too. Will be replacing my other recipe as the family favourite, thank you Megan 🙂

    1. Megan Mad Creations Hub

      Yay! What a great review Megan. I am so happy that everyone seemed to enjoy the meal and it achieved an easy and delicious version of a recipe that can at times take a lot of time. Thanks for taking the time to try it out and leaving such a great review. x

  14. Monique

    5 stars
    Hello flavour! I love butter chicken but none of the home recipes I’ve tried, keto and non-keto, satisfied the way my local take away dish did. But this recipe was outstanding! As full of earthy flavour and richness as what you get in restaurants, but with a more authentic taste.
    Hubby was the test cook and despite us always increasing herbs and spices in recipes because they’re usually too bland, he stuck religiously to the recipe and cooktop instructions. And it turned out brilliantly. Juicy, thick, rich, earthy with just the right amount of spice. We wouldn’t change a thing!
    5/5
    Will be replacing our other regular butter chicken recipes with this one and it is sure to be on heavy rotation.
    Apart from the 4hrs marinating the chicken, it was very quick to make. Around 40 mins from the time he put his apron on until it was on the table.

    1. Megan Mad Creations Hub

      I am so happy that you both enjoyed Monique. Like your hubby I am usually a heavy hand with the spices but these all work together so well and spice it just right for a crowd pleaser. Thanks for taking the time to test and also leaving a review so others can see if the recipe is worth the effort.

  15. Sharon M

    5 stars
    I made the butter chicken last night for dinner and it was so delicious. It does make 6 very generous serves so we can have again tonight and have another in the freezer. My husband licked his plate clean. Thanks Megan for another very tasty recipe 10 out of 10! 😋

    1. Megan Mad Creations Hub

      Thanks so much for giving it a go Sharon and I am so glad you loved it. A big thanks for leaving a review too x

  16. Jaquie

    5 stars
    This was amazing!

    I jumped at the chance to try this new recipe for Butter Chicken as it’s always a dish that goes down well in our household. I went with using the traditional cooking method, and using chicken thigh. I did have a little trouble sourcing some of the ingredients locally, however my daughter found an Indian grocer nearby that stocked the cardamom, Kashmiri chilli, and fenugreek leaves in smaller quantities.

    Raising the question of why Kashmiri chilli powder over normal chilli powder, my daughters Indian friend said that Kashmiri chilli powder gives a nicer flavour, and colour to Butter Chicken which isn’t a spice hot dish without adding extra heat, and added that other chilli powders can ruin the flavour.

    The recipe itself was straight forward and easy to follow, taking very little time to cook once all the preparation was done. I had visitors arrive while cooking this, and all commented about how great it smelled as they were walking up the driveway. I couldn’t agree more. With each combination of ingredients added to the pan, the fragrant notes of the dish grew in depth and hinted at the deliciousness we were to experience.

    In trying the dish, my visitors loved it including my grandson who gave it two thumbs up and a yum of approval (through a mouthful of chicken). Paired with yogurt, fresh coriander, and cauliflower rice, there were four very full and very happy taste testers with a request to add this recipe of butter chicken to the regular meal planning.

    1. Megan Mad Creations Hub

      I am so happy that the dish was a winner for all your family Jaquie. Thanks for taking the time to try the recipe and leave such a great review. Moreso I am just happy that everyone enjoyed the recipe that you prepared for them.

  17. Gina

    5 stars
    Awesome recipe. Quick and easy with no fussing around and minimal ingredients.

    I cooked this recipe the 3 different ways listed. My review is based on before adding the almond meal for thickening.

    Stovetop was my favourite. The sauce turned out thicker and more concentrated and seemed to have more depth of flavour. The chicken was cooked but still had some resistance.

    Thermal and pressure cooking were almost identical in the texture and consistency of the sauce and the flavours but the pressure cooked chicken was beautifully tender and soft and had the best texture of all 3 ways. Thermal cooked chicken had same texture and firmness as stovetop method.

    Pressure cooking was the easiest method, after marinating, thermal was next and then stovetop required a little more manual handling but nothing over the top!

    All in all a very flavoursome impressive dish that will delight your family or guests. I will definitely make it again as it’s so easy and tasty.

    1. Megan Mad Creations Hub

      Thanks so much for taking the time Gina not cook the recipe one way but all 3. Wow! That is total dedication and a lot of Butter Chicken 😂. I have made many many times over the past month and have to admit that it is all I have eaten for many straight days lol. Thanks for the feedback on all the methods. I agree that stovetop is always a better way o reduce and thicken sauces due to the surface area or reducing any sauce and thickening in the IP after pressure cooking. Thanks again for also leaving a review so others can pick which way to try with more information to guide them.

  18. Sharon Morris

    5 stars
    Wow just had this for dinner and it was delicious. Definitely 6 generous servings and the sauce is so tasty. I’ll definitely be making it again. Thanks Megan for another awesome recipe xx

    1. Megan Mad Creations Hub

      Yes Sharon it is quite the generous meal that can easily be made into smaller portions and save a little extra carbs and kCal. I am so glad you enjoyed it and will use the recipe again. Thanks for trying it out and leaving such a great review.

  19. Kay

    5 stars
    What an amazing recipe the richness of the spices combined and the colour is beautiful!! Who needs Indian restaurants when you can make this Keto friendly version at home?!

    1. Megan Mad Creations Hub

      Absolutely Kay! How good is it when yo also know every ingredient and hat the carbs have been kept low too. Thanks for trying the recipe and leaving such a great review.

  20. Paige

    5 stars
    This is a super tender chicken recipe and its easy to put together…a great recipe too for a dinner or group gathering.

    1. Megan Mad Creations Hub

      So glad you enjoyed it Paige. Thanks for leaving such a good review. Definitely keep this recipe in your back pocket when you need something great for entertaining that is easy.

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