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Butter Chicken Burritos 🌮
I’m a little obsessed with putting food where it doesn’t technically belong, and this might be my favorite one yet — creamy, spiced butter chicken rolled up burrito-style with fluffy rice. It takes a bit more love than a dump-and-bake night, but most of that’s hands-off while the chicken marinates and the sauce simmers. What you get is your favorite Indian takeout, except you can eat it with one hand on the way out the door. Try it!
Servings: 5 burritos
Calories: 636kcal
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Ingredients
For the chicken
- 3 chicken breasts ~1.5 lbs, cubed
- 3 tbsp non-fat plain greek yogurt
- 4 garlic cloves grated
- 1 tsp fresh ginger grated
- 1 tbsp salt
- 2 tsp garam masala
- 2 tsp turmeric
- 2 tsp cumin
- 2 tsp chili powder
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tbsp olive oil
For the sauce
- 4 tbsp ghee or butter divided
- 1 small white onion chopped
- 1 tbsp garlic minced
- 1 tbsp fresh ginger minced
- 2 8 oz cans tomato sauce
- 1 tbsp garam masala
- 2 tsp chili powder
- 1 tsp turmeric
- 1/2 cup cashews
- 1.5 cups heavy cream
- 1 cinnamon stick
For serving
- Cilantro for garnish
- Basmati or jasmine rice for serving
- Burrito size tortillas for serving
Instructions
- Cube the chicken and place in a large bowl. Add the yogurt, garlic, ginger, olive oil and all the spices listed under “for the chicken.” Mix to coat. Cover and marinate at least 30 minutes, or up to 24 hours in the refrigerator.
- In a large, deep frying pan, heat 2 tbsp ghee or butter over medium-high heat. Add the marinated chicken and cook about 4 minutes per side (it does not need to cook through yet). Remove and set aside.
- In the same pan, add another 2 tbsp ghee or butter and cook the onion 2-3 minutes. Add the minced garlic and ginger and cook another 2-3 minutes.
- Add the tomato sauce, garam masala, chili powder, turmeric, heavy cream and cashews. Cook 3 minutes, then turn off the heat and blend until completely smooth.
- Return the blended sauce to the pan over low heat. Add the chicken back in along with the cinnamon stick and simmer on low 10-15 minutes until thickened. Taste and add salt if needed.
- Assemble each burrito with cooked rice, chicken and cilantro in the center. Fold in the sides, then fold the bottom edge up and roll tightly. Griddle both sides of the burrito in a pan over medium heat about 2 minutes per side. Serve.
Nutrition
Calories: 636kcal | Carbohydrates: 18g | Protein: 37g | Fat: 48g | Saturated Fat: 24g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 15g | Trans Fat: 0.4g | Cholesterol: 192mg | Sodium: 2110mg | Potassium: 1072mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 7g | Vitamin A: 2448IU | Vitamin C: 11mg | Calcium: 119mg | Iron: 4mg
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
Tips for Making This Recipe
- Let the chicken marinate in the yogurt and spices for as long as you can. Even 30 minutes makes it noticeably more tender and flavorful.
- Blend the sauce with the cashews until silky smooth. That’s what gives butter chicken its signature smooth richness.
- A cinnamon stick simmered in the sauce adds lovely warmth. Just remember to fish it out before you sauce the chicken.
- Let the rice cool slightly and don’t overfill the tortillas, so the burritos roll up tight without splitting.
- For a crisp finish, sear the rolled burritos seam-side down in a dry pan for a minute or two per side.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why marinate the chicken if it’s going into a sauce anyway?
The yogurt marinade does two jobs: it tenderizes the chicken and seasons it all the way through, so the meat tastes like something on its own instead of just carrying the sauce.
Can I use store-bought butter chicken sauce?
You can, and on a busy night I won’t judge. Homemade gives you control over the spice and the sweetness, which is most of what makes it taste like yours.
How spicy is it?
Mild. Butter chicken leans rich and a little sweet rather than hot, so add cayenne or extra chili if your people want heat.
What else can I put inside?
Pickled red onion, cilantro, a spoon of yogurt, or a handful of spinach wilted into the rice.
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A few of the kitchen tools and ingredients I reached for. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
