🍽 Butter Chicken with Fresh Green Beans
✨ Creamy, herby, one-pan perfection.
✅ What You’ll Need (Shopping List)
✅️Protein & Produce
🍗4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
🌱1 lb fresh green beans (trimmed)
🧅1 small yellow onion (or ½ large)
🧄2–3 garlic cloves
🌿Fresh cilantro (for garnish)
✅️Fridge/Pantry Staples
🧈3 tbsp butter
🥛1 cup heavy cream
🍚⅓ cup plain Greek yogurt or sour cream
🐓½ cup chicken broth
🫒2 tbsp olive oil
🍅1 tsp tomato paste
🫙1 tsp paprika
🫙1 tsp ground turmeric
🫙½ tsp garam masala (optional but recommended)
🧂Salt & pepper to taste
🔥 How to Make It
1. Prep the Chicken
Pat chicken dry and season with salt, pepper, and a pinch of paprika. Optional: slice shallow cuts into each breast for faster cooking and flavor absorption.
2. Sear the Chicken
In a large skillet, heat 1 tbsp butter + 2 tbsp olive oil over medium-high. Add chicken and sear until golden brown (about 4–5 mins per side). Remove and set aside.
3. Make the Sauce Base
In the same pan, lower to medium heat. Add sliced onion and cook until soft (2–3 mins), then add minced garlic and tomato paste. Stir until fragrant (about 30 seconds).
4. Add Creaminess
Pour in chicken broth, then stir in the remaining 2 tbsp butter, heavy cream, and yogurt. Add turmeric, garam masala, and paprika. Simmer for 3–5 minutes, letting it thicken.
5. Bring It Together
Add the chicken back into the pan and simmer 8–10 minutes, spooning sauce over it. Toss in green beans the last 5 minutes to keep them crisp-tender.
6. Finish and Serve
Top with fresh cilantro and optional garlic slices. Serve as is, or over rice or noodles if you want carbs.
💪 Why This Rocks
High Protein: Chicken + Greek yogurt = lean protein powerhouse.
Creamy but Balanced: Rich sauce, crisp green beans.
No Oven, One Pan: Weeknight dinner win.
Customizable Heat: Add chili flakes if you like it spicy.
📌 Save this recipe if you love creamy comfort meals with real ingredients.
🛒 Pin the shopping list for your next grocery run.
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Butter chicken is a beloved dish known for its creamy texture and rich flavors, and this recipe adds a nutritious twist by incorporating fresh green beans, providing a crisp-tender element to the meal. The key spices turmeric, garam masala, and paprika not only enhance the dish’s authentic taste but also offer health benefits such as antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties. For convenience and maximum flavor, the recipe uses a one-pan method—searing the chicken, building a sauce base with onions, garlic, and tomato paste, and finishing with a creamy blend of butter, heavy cream, and Greek yogurt. This combination creates a luscious sauce that beautifully coats the chicken and vegetables. Incorporating Greek yogurt boosts the protein content and adds a subtle tang, balancing the rich creaminess. Fresh green beans are added at the end of cooking to keep their texture and vibrant color, making the dish both visually appealing and nutritionally balanced. For those seeking customization, chili flakes can be added to introduce a spicy kick, enhancing the flavor complexity. This recipe is ideal not only for its taste and nutrition but also for its ease—no oven required, just a quick stovetop preparation. It pairs wonderfully with steamed rice or noodles for a complete meal. Using fresh herbs like cilantro as a garnish adds freshness and aroma. By following this recipe, home cooks can enjoy a wholesome, protein-rich dinner that exemplifies comfort food with real ingredients. Pin this recipe and shopping list to ensure you have all the essentials for your next delicious dinner adventure.