Keto Butter Chicken (Family Favorite)

4.88 from 8 votes

This keto butter chicken is one of those recipes I have been making for years and never get tired of. The chicken is marinated in yogurt, ginger, and garlic, then simmered in a rich creamy tomato sauce that tastes like it came from a restaurant. It's simple enough for a weeknight dinner but always feels a little special, and my family still gets excited every time I make it.

Why You'll Love This Keto Butter Chicken

This keto butter chicken is one of those dinners that feels like it took a lot more effort than it actually did. The yogurt marinade keeps the chicken incredibly tender, and the creamy tomato sauce has that rich restaurant-style flavor that makes everyone go back for seconds.

I also love that the ingredients are easy to find at any grocery store. I have been making this version for years because it's simple enough for a busy weeknight but still feels like a comforting homemade meal. The leftovers are just as good the next day, which makes it great for meal prep too.

For serving, I usually keep mine low carb with cauliflower rice while the rest of my family will sometimes add rice or naan on the side. It's an easy way to make one dinner work for everyone without cooking separate meals.

What you'll need

Boneless skinless chicken thighs are my favorite for this recipe because they stay tender and flavorful after simmering in the sauce. I like to cut them into bite-sized pieces so they cook quickly and soak up all of the flavor from the marinade.

Greek yogurt helps tenderize the chicken and gives it that classic butter chicken texture. I usually use full-fat plain Greek yogurt for the best flavor.

Ginger paste and fresh garlic add a ton of flavor without much prep work. I almost always keep ginger paste in the refrigerator because it makes recipes like this so much easier on busy nights.

Garam masala is the key spice in this recipe and gives the sauce its warm, rich flavor. Most larger grocery stores carry it now in the spice aisle. Smoked paprika adds a little smokiness and color to the sauce.

Tomato sauce, tomato paste, heavy cream, and butter create the creamy rich sauce that makes butter chicken so comforting and delicious. The combination is simple but gives the sauce that slow-cooked flavor without spending hours in the kitchen.

How to Make Keto Butter Chicken

marinade ingredients for keto butter chicken

Step 1: In a large bowl combine the Greek yogurt, ginger paste, garlic, salt, and black pepper.

Step 2: Add the chicken thigh pieces and stir until the chicken is fully coated in the marinade. Refrigerate for one hour.

Step 3: Heat avocado oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the marinated chicken and cook until the chicken is cooked through.

adding spices to a skillet for keto butter chicken

Step 4: Pour off the excess liquid released from the chicken and marinade. Stir in the garlic, ginger paste, garam masala, smoked paprika, and salt. Cook for one minute.

adding sauce ingredients to keto butter chicken

Step 5: Add the tomato paste, tomato sauce, butter, and heavy cream. Stir well and let the sauce simmer until thickened and creamy.

Step 6: Garnish with fresh cilantro and serve warm over cauliflower rice or with your favorite side dishes.

Tips from My Kitchen

Don't marinate the chicken too long. The yogurt helps tenderize the chicken, but if it sits too long the texture can become soft or mealy. I find about one hour is perfect.
Chicken thighs work best for this recipe because they stay juicy and flavorful while simmering in the sauce. You can use chicken breast if needed, but thighs give the best texture.
After cooking the chicken, make sure to pour off the excess liquid before adding the sauce ingredients. This keeps the sauce rich and creamy instead of watery.
Garam masala is the spice that gives butter chicken its classic flavor, so I would not skip it. Most grocery stores carry it in the spice aisle now.
Ginger paste is one of my favorite shortcut ingredients for recipes like this. It saves time and adds a lot of flavor without having to peel and mince fresh ginger.
If the sauce gets thicker than you like, stir in a splash of chicken broth or heavy cream to loosen it up before serving.
The leftovers taste even better the next day after the flavors have had more time to develop.

Serving Ideas

I usually serve this keto butter chicken over cauliflower rice to keep things low carb and soak up all of the creamy sauce. A side of roasted broccoli or a simple cucumber salad also works really well with the rich flavors.

If you are feeding a family, this is an easy meal to customize without making separate dinners. Keep yours low carb with cauliflower rice while serving regular rice or naan on the side for everyone else.

This recipe is also great for meal prep because the flavors get even better after sitting overnight. I like to portion leftovers into containers with cauliflower rice for easy lunches during the week.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use chicken breast instead of chicken thighs?

es, you can use chicken breast if you prefer. I personally like chicken thighs because they stay more tender and flavorful in the sauce, but chicken breast will still work well.

How spicy is butter chicken?

This version is very mild and family friendly. The garam masala adds warm flavor rather than heat. If you want it spicy, you can add cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes.

Can I freeze keto butter chicken?

es. Let the butter chicken cool completely, then store it in an airtight container in the freezer for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

How long do leftovers last?

Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. The flavors actually get even better the next day.