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

Why is the chicken in butter chicken red? ›

Color. Butter Chicken has a reddish-orange color, while Tikka Masala is brighter red. The color of Butter Chicken comes from the use of tomato paste, cream, and spices. In contrast, the color of Tikka Masala comes from the use of tomato puree, cream, and spices.

Why butter chicken is the best? ›

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 butter chicken rich in? ›

Butter chicken consists of approximately 30 grams of protein per serving. As a result, one serving of butter chicken makes up more than half of your daily protein consumption. Is butter chicken healthy? Butter chicken is high in fat and protein and, so, a keto-friendly recipe.

Why is my butter chicken thin? ›

If your sauce is turning out thin, this could be because you are adding butter and cream on a hot pan surface. Make sure to let the pan cool down a bit before adding these dairy ingredients. This will ensure the sauce turns out thick.

Which is healthier butter chicken or tikka masala? ›

Butter chicken is a healthier option than tikka masala. Tikka masala has a shocking 400–500 calories per serving on average, but a serving of butter chicken may have 438 calories. If you're concerned with the amount of fat it has, you can always switch to low-fat substitutes for butter and heavy cream.

What's better tikka masala or butter chicken? ›

Chicken in tikka masala sauce tends to be more tender and juicy than butter chicken due to its marinade-containing yogurt. Butter chicken also tends to have a creamier texture. Both are tasty in their own right—it just depends on what you're craving! Try mixing them up if you want an exciting twist on your taste buds.

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 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.

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 Indian food is healthy? ›

If you're eating for metabolic health, an ideal plate would be half vegetables and beans or lentils, such as palak paneer or chana masala, Ravula says. Divide the other half between a lean protein, such as tandoori chicken, and cucumber raita.

What is butter chicken called on a menu? ›

The Delhi-born Indian dish butter chicken also called murgh makhani, is a sort of curry cooked with chicken in spicy tomato and butter sauce. For its thick texture, its sauce is renowned. It is comparable to the tomato paste-based chicken tikka masala dish.

How long can you eat butter chicken? ›

You can store butter chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days, or in the freezer for up to 3 months. Reheating butter chicken. You can reheat butter chicken easily on a frying pan or in the microwave.

Why does my butter chicken taste like curry? ›

Butter chicken is a curry

At its very core, a curry is a dish cooked using a blend of spices and aromatics. There are, like, hundreds of spices in Indian cuisine, and it still blows my mind how restaurants expertly balance all of these nuanced flavors.

Can you eat 5 day old butter chicken? ›

According to the USDA, cooked chicken will last three to four days in the refrigerator, and two to three months in the freezer. Eating cooked chicken after this point can result in foodborne illness — even at refrigerated temperatures, bacteria can still grow.

Why is my butter chicken chewy? ›

You're not cooking the chicken right

Butter chicken tastes good only when the chicken is cooked right. If it's hard and rubbery, it will obviously be difficult to chew and spoil your entire experience of relishing the dish. Always cook the chicken on a low-medium flame to prevent it from becoming hard.

Why is my butter chicken pink? ›

Pigment in the bone marrow can color the surrounding tissue and make the bones themselves look very dark. Hemoglobin in the muscles can likewise react with air during cooking to give the meat a pinkish color even after cooking. The chicken's feed and whether it's been frozen can also affect the final color.

Why is the chicken in chicken tikka masala red? ›

It's red food dye. The concentrated liquid one works best for me, but you can also use powdered red cabbage or beetroot for a less intense colour. Some tandoori spice mixes come with the coloring in it.

How does butter chicken get its color? ›

Chili Powder - The orangish- red color of Butter Chicken comes from Kashmiri chili powder and Tomato puree. Most restaurants also add red or orange food coloring to help with the look. Tip: Kashmiri chili powder gives the best color when its saluted for a few seconds in the oil or fat.

Is it OK if chicken is red? ›

Color is not a reliable indicator of safety or doneness. Safely cooked poultry can vary in color from white to pink to tan. All poultry should reach a safe minimum internal temperature of 165 °F (73.9°C) as measured with a food thermometer.

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