Keto Butter Chicken with Cauliflower Rice

A luxuriously creamy, low-carb twist on the classic Indian favorite

KEY INFO

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes
Servings: 4
Difficulty: Moderate
Diet: Keto, Low-Carb, Gluten-Free
Net Carbs: 6g per serving

Professional food photography featuring cubed raw chicken and spices on a modern kitchen countertop, under natural daylight from a window.

EQUIPMENT NEEDED

Large skillet or non-stick pan
Cutting board and chef’s knife
Measuring cups and spoons
Food processor (or box grater for cauliflower)
Wooden spoon or spatula

INGREDIENTS

For the Butter Chicken:

1½ lbs (680g) chicken thighs, cut into 1-inch cubes
¼ cup (60g) butter (or ghee)
1 medium onion, finely chopped
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 tbsp fresh ginger, grated
15 oz (425g) tomato sauce
1 cup (240ml) heavy cream
2 tsp garam masala
1 tsp curry powder
1 tsp paprika
Salt and pepper to taste

For the Cauliflower Rice:

1 large head cauliflower (about 400g)
2 tbsp butter
½ tsp salt
¼ tsp black pepper

Golden-brown chicken sizzling in a skillet on a modern kitchen countertop with green subway tile backsplash, lit by natural daylight.

METHOD

1. Rice the cauliflower

Process cauliflower florets in a food processor until rice-sized pieces form.

2. Prepare the base

Heat butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onion and cook until translucent (5-7 minutes).

3. Add aromatics

Stir in garlic and ginger. Cook until fragrant (30 seconds).

4. Cook chicken

Add chicken pieces. Cook until golden brown (5-6 minutes).

Chicken simmering in orange-red sauce with cream being added in a modern kitchen, next to a pan of golden cauliflower rice

5. Create the sauce

Add tomato sauce and spices. Simmer for 8-10 minutes.

6. Finish the chicken

Stir in heavy cream. Simmer until sauce thickens (3-5 minutes).

7. Make cauliflower rice

In a separate pan, melt butter and cook riced cauliflower until tender (5-7 minutes).

Modern kitchen with white marble countertops, stainless steel appliances and green subway tiles, containing modern cookware, wooden utensils and cream-colored preparation bowls. A completed butter chicken dish with visible spices and steam rising, alongside cauliflower rice.

CRUCIAL TIPS

Don’t overcook the cauliflower rice – it should be tender-crisp
Let the sauce simmer until it reaches desired thickness
Taste and adjust seasonings before serving
Cut chicken pieces uniformly for even cooking

Modern kitchen with green subway tile backsplash and white marble countertops, featuring a dish of butter chicken over cauliflower rice garnished with cilantro on a white ceramic plate.

STORAGE & VARIATIONS

Storage:

Refrigerate for up to 3 days
Freeze for up to 2 months

Variations:

Dairy-free: Use coconut cream instead of heavy cream
Spicier version: Add cayenne pepper to taste
Vegetarian: Substitute chicken with pan-fried tofu

Common Mistakes:

Adding cream too early (causes curdling)
Overcooking the chicken (becomes dry)
Not allowing sauce to reduce properly