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Homemade Meal-Prep Butter Chicken with Rice and Garlic Naan photo

Meal-Prep Butter Chicken with Rice and Garlic Naan

A comforting meal-prep of creamy butter chicken served with basmati rice and quick garlic naan.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings: 6 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 2 tablespoons oil
  • 1 medium onion diced
  • 1 teaspoon fresh ginger finely minced or grated (or use paste)
  • 2-3 cloves garlic finely minced or crushed
  • 1 1/2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts cut into 3/4-inch chunks (about 2–3 breasts)
  • 6 oz can tomato paste or 8–10 oz can tomato sauce
  • 1 tablespoon garam masala
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder or paprika, adjust to taste
  • 1 teaspoon fenugreek powder optional (seeds or mustard seeds can be used too)
  • 1 teaspoon cumin
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 cup heavy cream or half-and-half or yogurt for lower fat
  • 1 cup basmati rice or jasmine
  • 1 3/4 cups water
  • 1 large pinch salt for the rice
  • 1 small pizza dough for naan (divide into portions as instructed)
  • 4 cloves garlic minced (for garlic butter)
  • 1/4 cup cilantro minced, optional
  • 2 tablespoons butter melted (for garlic butter)

Equipment

  • large skillet or medium saucepan
  • saucepan for rice
  • cast-iron or heavy skillet for naan
  • Mixing Bowl
  • Rolling Pin
  • Measuring cups and spoons

Method
 

  1. Heat a large skillet or medium saucepan over medium-high heat and add 2 tablespoons oil; cook the diced onion until lightly golden, about 3–4 minutes.
  2. Add the minced or grated ginger and 2–3 cloves minced garlic; cook 30 seconds, stirring to prevent burning.
  3. Add the chicken chunks, 6 oz tomato paste (or tomato sauce), 1 tablespoon garam masala, 1 teaspoon chili powder (or paprika), 1 teaspoon fenugreek (optional), 1 teaspoon cumin, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper; stir to combine and cook 5–6 minutes until the chicken is cooked through.
  4. Pour in 1 cup heavy cream, reduce heat to medium-low, and simmer the sauce, stirring occasionally, for 8–10 minutes until slightly thickened.
  5. While the chicken simmers, rinse the basmati rice under cold water until the water runs clear.
  6. In a saucepan, bring 1 3/4 cups water to a boil, add the rinsed rice and a large pinch of salt, reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes; turn off the heat and let stand covered for 5 minutes.
  7. Make the garlic butter by combining 4 cloves minced garlic, 2 tablespoons melted butter, and 1/4 cup minced cilantro (optional) in a small bowl; set aside.
  8. Divide the pizza dough into 8 equal portions and roll each into a small circle with a rolling pin.
  9. Heat a cast-iron or heavy skillet over high heat and lightly grease with oil; cook one dough round at a time until it puffs and develops brown spots, flip, then spread with the garlic butter and cook until done. Repeat with remaining dough.
  10. To assemble meal-prep containers, measure about 1 cup cooked rice into each container, top with about 1 cup butter chicken, and wrap a naan separately in foil or plastic wrap.
  11. When reheating, microwave the meal-prep container for about 2 minutes until steamy and microwave the naan for about 20 seconds.

Notes

  • Fenugreek is optional and can be omitted if unavailable.
  • You can substitute half-and-half or yogurt for heavy cream to reduce fat.
  • Use tomato sauce if you don't have tomato paste; adjust quantity as noted.
  • Divide pizza dough into equal portions for consistent naan size.
  • Rinse rice until water runs clear for fluffier results.