No Chicken Butter Chicken Recipe · i am a food blog (2024)

Chicken is swapped out for nutrient and protein packed tofu and paneer for a vegetarian take on butter chicken.

I spent the holiday hanging out wrapped up in blankets binge watching The Final Table– a Netflix cooking competition show featuring top chefs making signature dishes from around the world. I chose it on a whim to have on in the background while I was doodling on my iPad, but it turned out so binge-able that I went ahead and watched all the episodes in about 3 days. That’s not to say that I thought it was agood show, it was one of those trashy I can’t stop watching and maybe it’s really bad but also kinda good shows.

There was lots of cheesy dramatic music and at the same time, no drama. Every chef is completely respectful and talented and there’s no backstabbing or throwing people under the bus. They take criticism well and take losing even better. I felt inspired by the fact that every time someone lost, they took it as learning experience. Plus, there were plates after plates of pretty food. I especially loved when the contestants had to make their versions of a country’s signature dish. Afterwards I totally wanted to make paella, pasta, and most of all, butter chicken.

I’ve made butter chicken quite a few times now and I’m hooked. But I was intrigued by the no chicken butter chicken concept of the show and wanted to try my hand at it. At first I was going to use cauliflower, but then I thought that a little bit of protein goes a long way so I went with firm tofu. Mike also suggested paneer – Indian cheese that’s similar to halloumi so then I thought, “why not both?”

I whipped up a quickmakhani gravy – the sauce that is used in butter chicken, crisped up some tofu and paneer and popped them into the sauce. It was SO GOOD. Served up with a bit of rice and naan and I didn’t even miss the chicken at all. It was maybe even better than butter chicken?! The best part is you can put in anything you like into the sauce. If you’re feeling cauliflower, roast some then pop it in. Or maybe some sautéed kale? Definitely not traditional, but quick, tasty, and perfect for warming up.

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No Chicken Butter Chicken Recipe
serves 4


  • 14-ounce can diced tomatoes, undrained
  • 5 or 6 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 tablespoon minced ginger
  • 2 teaspoons garam masala, divided
  • 1 teaspoon ground turmeric
  • 1 teaspoon ground paprika
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper, adjust this to your spice preference
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • oil for the pan
  • 1 package firm tofu
  • 1 package paneer
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream
  • 1/2 cup butter (1 stick), cut into cubes
  • 1/4 – 1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro

Note: You don’t have to crisp up the tofu and paneer, but it does add a nice bit of texture to the dish. If you’re short on time, I recommend crisping up the paneer and skipping out on crisping the tofu. Also, feel free to customize and go for just paneer or just tofu or any other vegetable you love.

In a large saucepan, lightly sauté the garlic, ginger,1 teaspoon garam masala, turmeric, paprika, cumin, cayenne, and salt.

Stir in the tomatoes, bring to a boil then lower the heat and simmer gently while you fry the tofu and paneer.

Cut the paneer and tofu into cubes. Heat up a bit of oil in a non-stick pan over medium high heat and fry the tofu and paneer cubes in batches, until golden. Remove from the heat and set aside.

Use an immersion blender and blend the sauce until smooth. Alternately, carefully transfer to a blender and blend until smooth.

When the sauce is smooth, stir in the butter, cream, and the last teaspoon of garam masala. The sauce should be thick enough to coat the back of a spoon.

Stir in the crispy tofu and paneer. Top with the cilantro and enjoy with rice and naan.

7 Comments

  1. thefolia says:

    January 10, 2019 at 11:29 am

    It’s all about the sauce and naan anyways! Happy feasting!

    Reply

  2. January 10, 2019 at 4:51 pm

    I always order butter paneer instead of chicken! Love the tofu addition, can’t wait to make!

    Reply

  3. Lyndsay says:

    January 15, 2019 at 11:59 am

    Look at your little crispy tofu cubes! Teddy would love those. I am inspired, this dish is perfect for our veggie crew! xo

    Reply

    1. Stephanie says:

      January 16, 2019 at 10:33 am

      ooh yes!!! i think you guys would love it. but tone down the spice LOL

      Reply

  4. Margaret says:

    October 28, 2019 at 6:28 pm

    Made this almost to exact except added onion to the garlic and ginger. The flavour is fantastic and this is hands down the best indian meal I have made to date. Thank you!!! Used paneer only (not a tofu fan). I noticed that in your directions you reference adding tomatoes twice. I added them after I heated up the onions, ginger, garlic and spices. Trust that was correct?

    Reply

    1. Stephanie says:

      October 29, 2019 at 10:35 am

      yes to the tomatoes! so happy you loved it and thanks so much for leaving a comment :)

      Reply

Leave a Reply

No Chicken Butter Chicken Recipe · i am a food blog (2024)

FAQs

Which is healthier, butter chicken or tikka masala? ›

Regarding nutrition, Butter Chicken and Tikka Masala are high in calories, fat, and sodium. Butter Chicken has more fat and calories than Tikka Masala due to the use of cream and butter in the sauce. However, Tikka Masala has more sodium than Butter Chicken due to the use of canned tomato puree.

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. Its sauce is known for its rich texture.

What thickens butter chicken? ›

Yogurt or Cream

Full-fat or greek yogurts are ideal as they have a thick consistency. Cream and yogurt also balance out the heat if the curry is spicy. One thing to ensure is that you add it in small amounts while stirring constantly at a low temperature, so that they do not curdle.

Is chicken makhani the same as butter chicken? ›

Butter Chicken also known as Chicken Makhani is a classic Indian dish that's made by simmering marinated & grilled chicken (Tandoori chicken) in a spicy, aromatic, buttery and creamy tomato gravy. This lip-smacking and delicious dish is hugely popular among the Indian food lovers across the world.

Is butter chicken healthy or unhealthy? ›

A single serving of butter chicken can contain a significant amount of saturated fat, which, when consumed in excess, can contribute to health issues like heart disease. But fret not! If you're craving the flavors of butter chicken without compromising your health, there are ways to enjoy it guilt-free.

What does tikka mean? ›

The word tikka (tike in Turkish, and tikə in Azerbaijani) is a Persian word, meaning "bits" or "pieces". It is also a chicken dish served in Punjabi cuisine.

Why do people love butter chicken so much? ›

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. If you're a chicken lover, this is a must-try dish for you.

What Indian dish is closest to butter chicken? ›

Chicken Tikka Masala vs Butter Chicken are two of the most well-known recipes. Both are delicious meals made up of tender chicken pieces and an incredibly creamy sauce. While these two recipes are similar, they also have notable distinctions.

What can I put in butter chicken instead of chicken? ›

In this recipe, oven-baked tofu is the tasty and protein-packed chicken substitute. The silky sauce is made with only a few spices, tomatoes, and a bit of cream and butter (although much less than your favorite takeout option!). The combination is bursting with flavor.

What to replace cashews with in butter chicken? ›

Nut-Free Option: If you have a nut allergy or prefer to avoid cashews, you can substitute them with sunflower seeds or pumpkin seeds for a creamy texture and added richness. Vegetable Variations: Feel free to add a variety of vegetables to the dish to enhance its nutritional value and flavors.

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.

Are cashews necessary in butter chicken? ›

Cashews add richness to the gravy because they have fiber, protein and healthy fats. I usually cook the gravy first with onion, garlic, ginger, cashew, tomato sauce and spices. Then I smooth them all in the blender to make a rich, thick and delightfully fragrant sauce.

What is England's national dish? ›

There is no national dish of England nor is there any national dish of the UK. Yes, there are very popular dishes in all of the Home Countries however apart from haggis in Scotland there really aren't any national dishes as such.

What is chicken masala vs butter chicken? ›

The main difference between butter chicken and tandoori chicken tikka masala is the level of creaminess; butter chicken is much creamier, whereas chicken tikka masala relies on tomatoes and other spices, giving it its earthy and spicy flavor profile.

What Indian dish was invented in England? ›

Chicken tikka masala may derive from butter chicken, a popular dish in the northern Indian subcontinent. The Multicultural Handbook of Food, Nutrition and Dietetics credits its creation to Bangladeshi migrant chefs in Britain in the 1960s.

Is tikka masala healthy or unhealthy? ›

It's one of the most-ordered entrees at Indian joints. But like many Indian dishes that were originally low fat, the modern recipe for chicken tikka masala is anything but. An average portion has whopping 1,249 calories and 90.8 grams of fat. A lot of that comes from the ghee and heavy cream.

How many calories in a butter chicken from Indian? ›

A typical serving of Indian butter chicken has 400–430 calories on average. Adding Butter Chicken to your menu is a healthy choice, and you won't have to worry about your daily calorie consumption.

Is tikka masala hotter than butter chicken? ›

Butter Chicken is much more creamy and rich due to the addition of a generous amount of butter. The Butter Chicken sauce is pureed until smooth, while Chicken Tikka Masala keeps the tomatoes and onions in chunks to add more texture to the sauce. And, Butter Chicken is much less spicy than Chicken Tikka Masala.

Is butter chicken healthier than korma? ›

Korma is made with a yogurt-based sauce that can be lower in calories and fat than the heavy cream used in butter chicken.

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