Keto Butter Chicken is a popular Indian dish, with a low-carb twist, and plenty of rich, creamy, and aromatic flavors! Indigenous to India and made with a spiced tomato sauce enriched with cream and butter, butter chicken fits beautifully into keto macros in its classic form (minus sugars and high-carb thickeners).
Chunks of chicken are marinated in yogurt and spices, grilled, and then simmered in a tomato purée with butter, heavy cream, and a mix of spices including cumin, garam masala, and turmeric. The result is a rich, lightly spiced curry with a velvety texture and great depth of flavour.
To keep it keto, the recipe skips sugar and instead uses the inherent sweetness of tomatoes, balanced with cream and spices. It tastes amazing alongside cauliflower rice or keto-friendly naan in almond flour and cheese that make this dinner feel as indulgent as the traditional counterpart.
This item is ideal for an easy weeknight meal and yet fancy enough for company. The ultimate “healthified” comfort food! It’s also high in protein and healthy fats, which keep it quite filling as well. This recipe shows that keto doesn’t have to mean bland and flavorless.
Keto Butter Chicken
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- In a bowl, mix the yogurt, 1 tsp garam masala, salt, and chicken. Stir together and let marinate 30 minutes (or overnight)
- Warm the ghee in a skillet. Brown marinated chicken, so it is not cooked completely. Remove and set aside
- In the same skillet, sauté the onion until soft. Stir in garlic and ginger; cook 1minute
- Stirring the rest of the garam masala, cumin, paprika, turmeric, and chili powder. Toast 1 minute
- Stir in tomato paste and broth. Stir and simmer 5 minutes
- Whisk in the cream: Stir in heavy cream. Reduce heat to low
- Add chicken back to the skillet. Cover and simmer for about 15 minutes, or until cooked through and the sauce has thickened
- Garnish with cilantro. Pair with cauliflower rice
Notes
Flavour Profile of Keto Butter Chicken
- Rich & Creamy- It’s a mixture of butter, cream, and tomatoes, and results in a silky, velvety effect that feels decadent.
- Savory & Spiced (not too spicy)- A hint of warm but mild Indian spicing – garam masala, cumin, coriander, turmeric – brings warmth and soulfulness without too much intensity.
- Smoky & Charred Notes- Chicken is sometimes marinated in yogurt (or Greek yogurt in keto renditions) is grilled/pan-fried, and simply has that smoky flavor.
- Balanced Sweetness & Saltiness- The savory, tangy, spicy flavors are balanced with a hint of sweetness (from cream or sweetener).
Keto Butter Chicken Nutrition and Calories
| Nutrient | Amount per Serving |
| Calories | ~350–400 kcal |
| Total Fat | 25–28 g |
| – Saturated Fat | 12–14 g |
| Protein | 28–30 g |
| Total Carbohydrates | 7 g |
| – Dietary Fiber | 2 g |
| Net Carbs | 5 g |
| Sugar | 2–3 g |
| Cholesterol | ~110 mg |
| Sodium | ~600–700 mg |
FAQs
Q1. Is butter chicken keto-friendly?
A1. Yes — because by leaving out sugar and thickening with cream or butter instead of flour, it remains low-carb.
Q2. How many carbs does vegan keto butter chicken have?
A2. Approximately 5 net carbs per serving.
Q3. Can I use chicken thighs in place of breasts?
A3. And yes — thighs have extra flavor and are essentially more moist, and they’re fattier (a plus for keto!)
Q4. What to serve with this item?
A4. Some popular choices include cauliflower rice, zucchini noodles or keto naan bread.
Q5. Can I make it dairy-free?
A5. Yes — exchange butter for ghee or coconut oil and cream for coconut cream.
Hi, I’m Candice Knauer!
I’m passionate about creating delicious, healthy meals that make the keto lifestyle simple and enjoyable. What started as my personal journey into low-carb cooking has grown into a collection of recipes that I love sharing with others who want to feel their best while still enjoying great food.