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My PCOS Kitchen - Paleo Butter Chicken - A dairy-free, gluten-free and sugar-free butter chicken curry made with coconut cream, spices and cashews.
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5 from 1 vote

Paleo Butter Chicken

A savory and creamy Indian-inspired dish, perfect for those following a paleo diet.
Course Main Course
Cuisine Indian
Keyword butter chicken, dairy free butter chicken, paleo butter chicken
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings 4 people
Calories 676kcal
Author Mira

Ingredients

  • 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
  • 25 g cilantro 2-3 stems (or parsley)

Chicken Marinade

  • 12 pieces chicken drumsticks about 750g
  • 1 tbsp lemon juice
  • ½ tsp salt
  • ½ tsp chili powder
  • ½ tsp paprika powder
  • 1 tsp fenugreek powder
  • ¼ tsp turmeric
  • 1 tsp garam masala
  • 2 tsp grated ginger
  • 4 cloves garlic
  • ¼ cup coconut cream

Curry Base

  • 3 cloves garlic
  • 2 tsp grated ginger
  • 2 tbsp ghee or butter
  • 1 cinnamon stick
  • 4 cloves
  • ¼ tsp black cardamon seeds
  • ¼ tsp fenugreek powder
  • ½ tsp chili flakes or cayenne pepper
  • ½ tsp paprika powder
  • ½ tsp chili powder
  • 1.5 cup tomato puree or diced tomato can
  • 1 tsp garam masala
  • ¼ cup cashew butter
  • 2 cups water

Final Marinade

  • ½ cup coconut cream
  • ½ tsp salt
  • ½ tsp garam masala
  • ¼ tsp fenugreek powder

Instructions

  • Chop the cilantro.

Chicken Marinade

  • With a garlic crusher, crush the garlic cloves. In a bowl, add all of the ingredients for the chicken marinade, mix everything with your hands and make sure all of the chicken drumsticks are coated with the marinade.  Leave it in the fridge to marinate for 2 hours*
    My PCOS Kitchen - Paleo Butter Chicken - A dairy-free, gluten-free and sugar-free butter chicken curry made with coconut cream, spices and cashews.
  • Add the 2 tbsp of olive oil in a large wok or frying pan and heat. Add the chicken and cook for 5-6 minutes, making sure all sides are getting cooked.  You don't have to fully cook the chicken now as they will cook later in the curry base.  Cook the drumsticks on low-medium heat and make sure they don't burn, but have some nice grill marks.
    My PCOS Kitchen - Paleo Butter Chicken - A dairy-free, gluten-free and sugar-free butter chicken curry made with coconut cream, spices and cashews.

Curry Base

  • With a garlic crusher, crush the garlic. With a mortar and pestle, crush the cloves and cardamon seeds. Add all of the ingredients except for the cashew cream and water.  Cook the base for a few minutes until it becomes a thick paste.
    My PCOS Kitchen - Paleo Butter Chicken - A dairy-free, gluten-free and sugar-free butter chicken curry made with coconut cream, spices and cashews.
  • Add the cashew butter and water.  Mix with a whisk until well incorporated.
    My PCOS Kitchen - Paleo Butter Chicken - A dairy-free, gluten-free and sugar-free butter chicken curry made with coconut cream, spices and cashews.
  • Add the drumsticks to the base.  Cook for 10-15 minutes while stirring the curry as it tends to stick to the bottom as the water evaporates. The curry will become quite thick after 10ish minutes.
    My PCOS Kitchen - Paleo Butter Chicken - A dairy-free, gluten-free and sugar-free butter chicken curry made with coconut cream, spices and cashews.

Final Marinade

  • Add the final marinade ingredients to the pan and cook for an additional 3 minutes, stirring.
    Serve with some cauliflower rice, top with the chopped cilantro and some extra coconut cream if you have some.
    My PCOS Kitchen - Paleo Butter Chicken - A dairy-free, gluten-free and sugar-free butter chicken curry made with coconut cream, spices and cashews.