Pete Evans shares his recipe to cooking the perfect butter chicken (2024)

Celebrity chef Pete Evans (pictured) has dished out his simple recipe to cooking the perfect butter chicken

Australian celebrity chef Pete Evans has dished out his simple recipe to cooking the perfect butter chicken - and you don't need any dairy or grains.

The My Kitchen Rules judge said he replaced the traditional butter and rice for healthier alternatives to recreate his own 'paleo' version which he insiststaste 'good, if not better, than the original'.

The TV personality revealed his take on the popular Indian curry dish after his easy-to-follow recipe went viral on social media this week.

'I took the best butter chicken recipe I had and adapted it to be paleo focused,' Evans told Daily Mail Australia.

He explained the benefits of his dish - including simple ingredient swaps.

'I swapped out the traditional butter as dairy can be problematic for a minimum of 70 per cent of the population - so again we attempt to make it anti-inflammatory for all while still ensuring the taste and maximising the health benefits,' he said.

The MKR judge said he replaced the traditional butter and rice for healthier alternatives to recreate a paleo version which he insists taste 'good, if not better, than the original'

The butter chicken recipe is available in his Family Food cookbook (pictured)

'The dish is full of healthy animal fat and protein which is the foundation for long term sustainable heath.It also has medicinal spices that are not only great for our body - such as turmeric for its anti-inflammatory qualities - but it makes the dish taste absolutely delicious too.

'I have teamed this with cauliflower rice instead of normal rice for a great low carb and keto version which adds a ton more nutrition than the traditional rice.No dairy, no grains and still absolutely delicious.'

His recipe, which is available in his Family Food cookbook, has been popular among families across Australia, with many parents sharing their creations after following his steps.

'The one thing that brings a smile to my face are parents who have very fussy eaters - their children and sometimes even their husbands or wives - telling me that it is the first dish that the kids absolutely love from the first mouthful to last,' Evans said.

'So for me this opens up the doors for what parents can feed their kids.'

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Many Australians have created Evans' recipe at home - and it's been a crowd favourite

The chef suggested using chicken thighs instead of breast because he finds the meat is 'juicier' and full of flavours.

'You can also try it with chicken livers or swap it over to fish or prawns too,' he said.

'The recipe is super quick, absolutely delicious and so healthy and everyone in the family can eat it... Long term sustainable health is in your hands if you choose.'

Many Australians said they preferred his recipe because it included real ingredients instead of the pre-made sauces or the store-bought processed products.

'The paleo way of life is not meant to be restrictive, as you can see from this lovely butter chicken recipe,' Evans said in his cookbook.

'All the nasties have been replaced with good-quality ingredients that makeit as good, if not better, than the original. I prefer chicken thighs for their superior flavour and tenderness. And be adventurous with your vegetable component.

'Try eggplant, okra,zucchini, asparagus, pumpkin, sweet potato and Asian water spinach. The rice has been replaced with cauliflower "rice" but broccoli "rice" is also a big hit or try a mixture of both.'

The Family Food cookbook is on sale for $39.99.

Pete Evan's butter chicken recipe

Serves 4

INGREDIENTS

  • 120ml coconut oil
  • 1 large onion, diced
  • 4 garlic cloves, crushed
  • 2 teaspoons Garam Masala
  • 1 teaspoon ground cardamom
  • 1 teaspoon ground coriander
  • 1 teaspoon ground ginger
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • ½ teaspoon paprika
  • 1–2 pinches of cayenne pepper (optional)
  • 1 teaspoon ground turmeric
  • 3 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 1 teaspoon sea salt
  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice
  • 1 x 400 ml can coconut cream
  • 700 g chicken thigh fillets, cut into bite-sized pieces
  • coriander leaves, to serve

METHOD

Heat 4 tablespoons of the coconut oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add the onion and sauté for 3 minutes until translucent. Turn the heat down to low and stir in the garlic and spices. Add the tomato paste and cook for 1 minute. Add the salt, lemon juice, coconut cream and the remainder of the coconut oil and mix well.

Turn the heat up to medium and bring the sauce to a simmer. Add the chicken and stir until well coated with the sauce. Cover the pan with a lid and cook, stirring occasionally, for 20–25 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and the sauce has thickened.

Garnish with the coriander and serve with cauliflower rice.

CAULIFLOWER RICE

Serves 4

  • 1 cauliflower, florets and stalk roughly chopped
  • 2 tablespoons coconut oil
  • sea salt and freshly ground black pepper

Place the cauliflower in a food processor and pulse into tiny, fine pieces that look like rice.

Place the coconut oil in a large frying pan over medium heat. Add the cauliflower and lightly cook for 4–6 minutes, or until softened. Season with salt and pepper and serve.

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Pete Evans shares his recipe to cooking the perfect butter chicken (2024)

FAQs

Pete Evans shares his recipe to cooking the perfect butter chicken? ›

The reason why Butter chicken is such a delightful dish is because of, obviously, butter. The splendid blend of cream sauce, butter, spiced up tomatoes, and an array of Indian spices melts in your mouth instantly. If you're a chicken lover, this is a must-try dish for you.

Why is butter chicken so good? ›

The reason why Butter chicken is such a delightful dish is because of, obviously, butter. The splendid blend of cream sauce, butter, spiced up tomatoes, and an array of Indian spices melts in your mouth instantly. If you're a chicken lover, this is a must-try dish for you.

What is the best combination for butter chicken? ›

Butter Chicken is best served with Jeera rice , Turmeric Rice, plain fluffy Basmati Rice, Tandoori Roti, Naan or Paratha.

What makes butter chicken so red? ›

Cayenne pepper, red chili powder or Kashmiri red chili powder is used to give it a fiery red hue.

Does chicken taste better cooked in butter? ›

Can you cook chicken with butter instead of oil? You have to cook chicken at a lower temperature if you bake or pan-fry chicken using butter instead of oil. This is because butter has a lower scorching temperature. Your chicken will cook more slowly, but it's also likely to be juicier and full of more flavor.

What thickens butter chicken? ›

Yoghurt or heavy cream:

To achieve a creamy, tangy curry sauce, incorporate yoghurt or heavy cream. Stir them in gently, as high heat may cause curdling. These ingredients are ideal for creating a luxurious texture in dishes like butter chicken or tikka masala.

Is butter chicken really an Indian dish? ›

Butter chicken, traditionally known as murgh makhani (pronounced [mʊrɣ ˈməkʰaːni]), is an Indian dish originating in Delhi. It is a type of curry made from chicken with a spiced tomato and butter (makhan) sauce.

What is the sauce in butter chicken made of? ›

Butter chicken sauce is made of sauteed onions, tomato puree, and lots of spices. It's finished at the end with a smattering of heavy cream and some fenugreek leaves.

Why is my butter chicken so watery? ›

If you've ever wondered "why is my curry too watery"? here are some common causes: Too much liquid or broth is added during cooking. Short cooking time or not enough simmering time for the sauce to reduce.

Which is better for butter chicken thigh or breast? ›

Do I have to make butter chicken with chicken thighs? Chicken thighs definitely have more flavour than any other part of the bird, so I usually prefer to use thigh fillets in our butter chicken recipe, but if you're more of a breast person it's totally acceptable to substitute.

How do you reduce the bitterness in butter chicken? ›

The chances are you can rescue your bitter curry by: Add equal parts sugar and salt, a teaspoon at a time, mixing well between each pair of additions and tasting until the curry is no longer bitter. Sugar and salt help to reduce bitterness. You can use any sweetener or salt you like.

What is a substitute for tomato paste in butter chicken? ›

You don't have to dash out to the store if you're out of tomato paste; tomato sauce and tomato puree are both an excellent substitute. For every 1 tablespoon of tomato paste needed, use 3 tablespoons of tomato puree or sauce.

Can you overcook butter chicken? ›

Common Mistakes to Avoid in Butter Chicken Preparation

Be cautious when adding salt, as some ingredients like garam masala may already contain salt. Do not overcook the chicken, as it can become tough and dry. Be patient while simmering the sauce, as this allows the flavours to develop fully.

What does authentic butter chicken taste like? ›

Butter Chicken is the most popular Indian dish ordered in restaurants. Like Chicken Tikka Masala, chunks of chicken are simmered in a yogurt and tomato sauce. It is creamy, tangy, and buttery of course.

Why does butter chicken taste like cinnamon? ›

Indian Butter chicken is flavorful and spiced, but not spicy. If you hate curry, you're probably responding to ready-made curry powder. This doesn't use curry powder. If you are unusually sensitive to cinnamon taste, this may taste very cinnamony to you if your garam masala has too much.

Why is butter chicken sour? ›

Butter chicken has very strong acidic elements, to balance out the butter and cream, as well as the bitterness of the fenugreek leaves. The base ingredients that are sour or tangy need to be there in the correct quantities. You need a lot of yoghurt and lime juice to marinate the chicken.

What makes butter chicken different? ›

Taste. Butter Chicken has a milder and creamier taste, while Tikka Masala has a spicier, earthy, and tangier taste. Butter Chicken is a buttery and creamy tomato-based sauce. At the same time, Tikka Masala has a slightly sour and tangy tomato-based sauce.

Is butter chicken better than curry? ›

If you love curry, but can't take the heat in most Indian dishes, Butter Chicken is the perfect solution. It's full of the classic spices, but even with the chili powder included, it stays mild. The addition of the butter and cream help mellow the heat.

Does butter chicken actually have butter in it? ›

Butter chicken uses a lot of butter (makhan in Hindi) while chicken tikka masala uses tikka masala (a spice blend) comprised of coriander, paprika, black and green cardamom, cinnamon, and turmeric. Butter chicken is sweeter and chicken tikka masala is spicier.

What is butter chicken supposed to taste like? ›

What Does Butter Chicken Taste Like? Butter chicken has a rich, savory, and sweet flavor. The butter and cream add richness, while the spices give it more of a traditional curry flavor, and the tomato sauce balances it all out with a hint of sweetness.

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