The Better Butter Chicken

FLKeysJen's Note:

A healthier rendition of the popular Indian dish, that doesn't use gobs of butter and tons of heavy cream. Adapted from Eat, Shrink & Be Merry!

• Total Time: 30 mins
• Prep Time: 30 mins
• Cook Time: 0 mins

Ingredients:

Servings: 5

• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1 cup chopped onion
• 2 teaspoons minced garlic
• 1 tablespoon grated gingerroot
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• 1/2 teaspoon ground turmeric
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 (19 ounce) can crushed tomatoes, undrained
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 1 tablespoon brown sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
• 1 whole rotisserie-cooked chicken, skin removed and meat cut up
• 1/3 cup light cream (5%)
• 1/4 cup light sour cream or 1/4 cup light plain yogurt
• 1 tablespoon minced fresh cilantro
• hot cooked basmati rice (optional)

Directions:

1. Melt butter in a deep, 10-inch skillet over medium heat; add onions and garlic; cook slowly, stirring often, until onions are tender - about five minutes.
2. Add gingerroot, chili powder, turmeric and cinnamon; cook one more minute.
3. Add undrained tomatoes, tomato paste, brown sugar, salt and pepper; reduce heat to low; cover and simmer for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
4. Add cut-up chicken, cream and sour cream; simmer, uncovered, for five more minutes.
5. Remove from heat and stir in cilantro; serve over hot basmati rice, if desired.

Reviews

[Nancy's Pantry]

We enjoyed this dish very much; however, it wasn't exactly like the butter chicken we are accustomed to. I think next time I would use pureed tomatoes vs. diced and less onions. I used Indian chili powder which is extremely hot so I definitely scaled it back to suit our tastes. While it would up the calories, etc., I think I would also add a bit more cream as well. I will definitely try this dish again! Made for ZWT-8-India.

[duonyte]

A very tasty dish. I measured out most of the ingredients in the morning, so that it was quick to put together. I also added some cubed potatoes to lighten up the protein load in this dish, reducing the amount of the chicken. Perhaps a little more spice next time.

[LifeIsGood]

I am rating this a five without any prior experience with butter chicken, so I really can't compare. I just know that I loved the flavors and textures. This was so good served over the basmati rice. The butter chicken was flavorful and almost creamy. Yum yum. Made for ZWT8 India