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? ›

To make a good butter chicken you need a really good garam masala else your dish can end up being bland without any flavors. You can make your own from this Garam masala recipe or use store bought. But be sure to use an aromatic masala and adjust the quantity because every brand is different.

Why does my butter chicken taste bland? ›

To make a good butter chicken you need a really good garam masala else your dish can end up being bland without any flavors. You can make your own from this Garam masala recipe or use store bought. But be sure to use an aromatic masala and adjust the quantity because every brand is different.

Why butter chicken is the best? ›

The Real Gem: The Butter

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.

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.

What makes butter chicken red? ›

The raw chicken is marinated in a mixture of yogurt and the spice tandoori masala. Cayenne pepper, red chili powder or Kashmiri red chili powder is used to give it a fiery red hue. A higher amount of turmeric produces an orange colour.

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.

Why does my stomach hurt after butter chicken? ›

Among the macronutrients — carbs, fat, and protein — fat is the most slowly digested ( 1 ). Because greasy foods contain high amounts of fat, they slow stomach emptying. In turn, food spends more time in your stomach, which can cause bloating, nausea, and stomach pain ( 2 ).

What are the disadvantages of butter chicken? ›

Both butter and cream are high in saturated fat. High intakes of saturated fat increase blood cholesterol levels and risk of heart disease. Keep your daily saturated fat intake to less than 10 percent of calories, or about 22 grams per day on a 2,000-calorie diet, according to the Cleveland Clinic.

What do Indians call butter chicken? ›

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 does authentic butter chicken taste like? ›

Butter chicken is a cream-based dish, with a velvety smooth texture and a slightly sweet taste, while tikka masala gets its signature tanginess from a tomato-based sauce infused with a blend of spices.

Can you overcook butter chicken? ›

Do not overcook because it will continue to cook in the sauce.

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.

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.

Why add cashews to butter chicken? ›

In many recipes for butter chicken, copious amounts of butter and heavy cream supply richness, but we do as we were taught in India and use cashews pureed with a small amount of water until smooth. The nut puree adds creaminess without making the dish heavy.

What ethnicity is butter chicken? ›

Butter Chicken is a much-loved Indian dish, both within the country and around the world.

Which is healthier butter chicken or tikka masala? ›

Although both dishes have high levels of saturated fat, chicken remains the preferred choice for maintaining good health. Compared to other meats, chicken dishes tend to be more nutritious. Chicken tikka masala is a healthier option than butter chicken as it contains less fat (7 grams vs. 4 grams) and more protein.

How to spice up bland butter chicken? ›

Don't get me wrong, you'll still need a little garam masala, cumin powder, coriander powder, and some red chili powder. You can also swap the red chili powder for cayenne but the flavor will be slightly different. I also find cayenne pepper to be hotter so I would suggest using slightly less than what's called for.

How do you fix bland chicken curry? ›

The easiest way to fix a bland and tasteless curry is by adding spices like red chili powder, cumin, coriander, garam masala, curry leaves and turmeric. Just make a quick tempering and pour over the curry to give it a nice punch of spices and herbs.

Why does my chicken taste bland even after seasoning? ›

You don't need any fancy tricks or an expansive spice cabinet here, it's just important to hit the most basic seasonings and hit them well. You see, without a generous sprinkling of kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, your chicken is basically destined for blandness.

Why do my curry taste bland? ›

Curries can be bland if you haven't used enough of the base aromatics of garlic, ginger, and onion. The onion should be caramelized in oil until well browned and flavorful. Spices should not be old enough to lose potency and preferably should be toasted and ground yourself.

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