Butternut Squash Butter Chicken
Butternut Squash Butter Chicken – Rich, Creamy & Full of Flavour
Ok, I think this might be one of the best curries I’ve ever made! This Butternut Squash Butter Chicken is everything you want in a comforting curry—rich, creamy, and packed with bold, warming spices. The butternut squash adds a velvety texture to the sauce, making it even more luscious while also allowing me to use less chicken, a great way to keep things a little lighter without sacrificing flavour.
This recipe was inspired by Little Spice Jar though I made a few tweaks along the way to make it my own. The combination of tender chicken, soft butternut squash, and that deeply spiced, tomato-based gravy is just chef’s kiss. Serve it up with fluffy rice or warm naan to soak up every last drop—you’ll want to!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
✔️ Rich & Creamy – A luscious, spice-infused gravy with a silky texture.
✔️ Lighter & Balanced – Butternut squash replaces some of the chicken, making it a little healthier.
✔️ Deep, Bold Flavour – The perfect blend of warming spices for an authentic taste.
✔️ Great for Meal Prep – Tastes even better the next day!
If you’re a fan of comforting, flavour-packed curries, this Butternut Squash Butter Chicken is a must-try. Let’s get cooking! Looking for a more tradition version? The try this Classic Butter Chicken or what about Nalli Nihari – Indian Slow cooked Lamb Stew.
Butternut Squash Butter Chicken
(2 votes, average: 4.50 out of 5)
Loading...Indulge in Butternut Squash Butter Chicken Indian, a rich and creamy curry packed with flavour and comforting warmth.
Ingredients
- Chicken marinade
- 400 g boneless chicken thighs, cut into bitesize cubes (see notes)
- 2 tablespoons tandoori masala
- 1 tsp kashmiri chili powder (optional, leave out if you want to keep it mild)
- 1 tsp salt
- 2-3 cm ginger, grated
- 2-3 garlic cloves, grated
- ½ cup yogurt
- 1 tbsp vegetable oil
- The sauce:
- 2 cups cubes butternut squash
- 2 + 1 tablespoons ghee (see notes)
- 1 large onion, thinly sliced
- 2-3 cm ginger, grated
- 2-3 garlic cloves, grated
- 1 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 can crushed tomatoes, or 3-4 large tomatoes, diced
- 1 - 2 tsp kashmiri chili powder (optional, leave out if you want to keep it mild)
- 2 tsp koriander powder
- 2 tsp cumin powder
- 1 tbsp dried fenugreek leaves
- 1 tsp salt (more to taste)
- 200 - 250 ml coconut cream (see notes)
- Small handful unsalted cashew nuts (optional, see notes)
- 1 tsp garam masala
- 1 tsp sugar
- 1/2 tbsp butter
- To serve
- Fresh koriander
- Yoghurt to drizzle
Instructions
The chicken
Mix all the marinade ingredients together and add the chicken, stir to coat all the pieces. Cover, place in the fridge and let marinade for at least 30 minutes, ideally 12 - 24 hours.
The sauce
Heat the ghee in a large heavy based pan and add the onions. Sauté for 6-7 minutes on low heat without letting the onions brown.
Add the grated ginger and garlic and cook for 30 seconds, stir so it doesn't burn.
Add the tomato paste, stir and sauté for 2-3 minutes.
Pour in the tomatoes and add the cumin powder, koriander powder, chili powder, fenugreek leaves and salt. If using, add the cashew nuts.
Pour in 1/4 cup of water and let bubble away on medium heat for ± 5 minutes.
Remove from the heat, let cool slightly and add to a blender. Mix until smooth (± 1 - 2 minutes) and set aside.
Make ahead option: see notes!
Assembly
Add a tablespoon of ghee to the pan and fry off the butternut squash with a pinch of salt until starting to brown on all sides, ± 3 minutes. The cubes don't need to cook through yet. Remove from the pan and set aside.
Add more ghee or oil if needed and add the chicken pieces. I would recommend to do this in batches so there is enough room in the pan and the chicken browns instead of steams.
Let the chicken sear and char on all sides until just underdone (it will continue to cook in the sauce).
Add the pumpkin and all the chicken to the pan.
Pour in the blended sauce, the coconut cream, a pinch of sugar and 1 teaspoon garam masala. Stir and let bubble away for ± 15-20 minutes until the pumpkin is cooked through.
Just before serving add a knob of butter for extra shininess and richness.
Serve with some fresh koriander, a few dollops of yoghurt, naan and / or white rice.
Notes
- You can also use chicken breasts but this meat can be a bit more dry in texture. What would help is to marinade it for at least 12 hours, but not necessary if you don't have the time.
- If you can't find ghee you can replace it with 1 tablespoon of butter and 1 tablespoon oil.
- For a richer creamier sauce you could also use full fat cream, then 1/2 a cup should be enough.
- The cashew nuts make a thicker and richer sauce but if you don't have any lying around no problem at all!
- This is a great dish to make ahead! Prepare the sauce up until blending it and store either in the fridge for use within a 2-3 days or in the freezer for longer.
