Butter Chicken

Prep Time: 20 Minutes

Total time: 6 Hours 20 Minutes

Servings: 8

The classic Indian dish gets a slow-cooker make-over with the added bonus of green lentils.

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Recipe by

Lentils.org

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Ingredients

Directions

Nutrition

Ingredients

    6 Tbsp (90 mL) butter, divided

    2 onions, diced

    3 garlic cloves, minced

    2 Tbsp (30 mL) grated fresh ginger

    2 Tbsp (30 mL) packed brown sugar

    1 Tbsp (15 mL) chili powder

    1 Tbsp (15 mL) curry powder

    1/2 tsp (2 mL) salt and pepper

    1 (28 oz/796 mL) can diced tomatoes

    1 cup (250 mL) chicken stock

    1/4 cup (60 mL) peanut or almond butter

    1 lb (500 g) boneless, skinless, chicken thighs, chopped into 1-inch (2.5 cm) pieces

    3 cups (750 mL) cooked green lentils

    1/2 cup (125 mL) whipping cream

    1/4 cup (60 mL) chopped cilantro


Directions

  1. Heat 1/4 cup (60 mL) butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Stir in onions and cook for about 5 minutes, until they are translucent. Stir in garlic, ginger, brown sugar, chili powder, curry powder, salt, and pepper. Cook for another 1-2 minutes until mixture is fragrant and garlic is golden. Remove from heat.
  2. In a 4 or 5-quart slow cooker, add onion mixture, diced tomatoes, chicken stock, and peanut butter. Stir together, cover and cook 5-8 hours on low.
  3. With an immersion blender, puree sauce until smooth.
  4. In a large skillet, heat remaining butter over medium heat. Add half the chicken, season with salt and pepper and cook until each side is golden brown, about 3-4 minutes per side. Repeat with remaining chicken. When chicken is browned, add it to the slow cooker, along with the lentils.
  5. Cover, and cook for another 30 minutes on high, until chicken is fully cooked and no longer pink inside.
  6. Stir in whipping cream, cilantro, and adjust seasonings with more salt and pepper, if needed.
  7. Serve over steamed rice, with naan bread on the side.

Nutritional Information

  • Serving Size: 1 cup (250 mL)
  • Per serving:
  • Calories 420
  • Total Fat 21 g
  • Saturated Fat 11 g
  • Cholesterol 95 mg
  • Carbohydrates 35 g
  • Dietary Fibre 7 g
  • Sugar 9 g
  • Protein 22 g
  • Sodium 640 mg
  • Potassium 489 mg
  • Folate 7 mcg