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A warming bowl of wholesome, Creamy Butternut Squash Butter Chicken. Indian-inspired butter chicken made with seasonal butternut squash, warmings spices, and creamy coconut milk. This dish is quick to make, cozy, wonderfully spicy – but not too spicy, and filled with warming Indian flavor. Complete each bowl with steamed rice and serve with fresh naan. And the leftovers the next day? They are even more delicious!

Creamy Butternut Squash Butter Chicken | halfbakedharvest.com

With two new butternut squash recipes this week, I think it’s safe to say I’m really enjoying the fall squash. Promise I have dishes with spaghetti squash, acorn squash, and yes, definitely pumpkin (both savory and sweet) coming soon. But this week it’s butternut squash!

I think most of you that read daily know of my family’s love for Indian-inspired dinners. Creighton, my oldest brother, who I find myself cooking for the most, is consistently requesting butter chicken. It’s one of his favorite dinners to order out and eat in.

The idea for this dish came with my urge to switch up a dinner that I consistently turn to in the fall. How could I add something new? Something yummy for fall?

Immediately I thought about how delicious butternut squash would be in a creamy butter curry sauce. I knew the squash could melt into the sauce making it even creamier, while also adding a sweetness that really pairs nicely with the spices.

It turned out so good. Creighton’s not in town right now, but I’m excited to make this for him as soon as he gets back. I sent photos his way via text, and trust me, he’s wishing he was here.

Creamy Butternut Squash Butter Chicken | halfbakedharvest.com

Here are the details

The beauty of this recipe is how simple it is to throw together. It’s made from start to finish in one skillet on the stove and ready in under an hour.

You’ll want to start with the chicken. Just like a traditional butter chicken recipe, we’re first tossing the chicken with yogurt and spices. But instead of marinating overnight, I found that a quick 5 to 10 minute rest in the spices was really enough to do the trick.

While the chicken is sitting, I like to start in on the prep for everything else. Chop the onion, garlic, and ginger, grab that coconut milk and tomato paste, and get everything for the remainder of the recipe ready to go.

Creamy Butternut Squash Butter Chicken | halfbakedharvest.com

If you need to chop up your butternut squash, now is the time to do that! I will say that for convenience, you can use pre-cut butternut squash or frozen cubes. Both work wonderfully and will save you a lot of hands-on prep time.

When I have all the remaining ingredients prepped and ready for cooking, I sear the chicken with olive oil. The next step is key, add a couple of tablespoons of butter. Then allow the butter to brown around the chicken. This will really help to flavor the sauce.

To that same skillet, add the onion, butternut squash, and all of those remaining spices. Because we are using butternut squash, I didn’t want the tomato paste to overpower the flavor. So I reduced the amount of tomato paste that I’d normally use. Now, instead of the sauce being tomato based, it’s butternut squash based!

Stir in the coconut milk, or if you don’t enjoy coconut milk, use cream. Either is delicious. The coconut milk does add a special touch and keeps the curry dairy-free, minus the butter.

Creamy Butternut Squash Butter Chicken | halfbakedharvest.com

Allow the sauce to simmer and thicken around the squash and chicken. As the curry slowly cooks, the squash melts into the sauce. The sauce becomes creamy and buttery without having to add actual cream.

I like to serve this pretty traditionally, over steamed rice with fresh naan for scooping up the creamy, coconutty sauce. Absolutely DELICIOUS. You can’t skip the naan either. We love it so much that it’s reason enough to make this cozy fall version of butter chicken.

Creamy Butternut Squash Butter Chicken | halfbakedharvest.com

Looking for other Indian-inspired dinners? Here are my favorites: 

Coconut Curry Salmon with Garlic Butter

30 Minute Spicy Indian Butter Chicken

30 Minute Butter Chicken Meatballs

Super Simple Coconut Chicken Tikka Masala

Gingery Coconut Sweet Potato and Rice Stew with Chili Oil

Lastly, if you make this Creamy Butternut Squash Butter Chicken, be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! Above all, I love to hear from you guys and always do my best to respond to each and every comment. And of course, if you do make this recipe, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram! Looking through the photos of recipes you all have made is my favorite!

Creamy Butternut Squash Butter Chicken

Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings: 6
Calories Per Serving: 499 kcal

Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.

Ingredients

Instructions

  • 1. in a bowl, toss together the chicken, yogurt, 2 teaspoons garam masala, 1 teaspoon cumin, 1/2 teaspoon paprika, 1/2 teaspoon turmeric, 1/2 – 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper, and 1 teaspoon salt. Let sit 5-10 minutes.
    2. Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and sear on both sides until browned, about 2 minutes. Add 2 tablespoons of butter and toss to coat the chicken. Remove the chicken from the skillet to a plate.
    3. To the skillet, add the onion and butternut squash, tossing with the butter in the skillet. Cook 5 minutes, until softened. Add 2 tablespoons butter, the garlic, ginger, 1 tablespoon garam masala, 1 teaspoon cumin, 1/2 teaspoon paprika, 1/2 teaspoon turmeric, 1/2 – 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper, paprika, and the chili flakes. Season with salt and pepper. Cook until fragrant, about 5 minutes. Add the tomato paste and continue cooking another 3-4 minutes.
    4. Reduce the heat to low. Add 1 cup water and the coconut milk. Stir to combine, bring the sauce to a simmer, cook 5 minutes or until the sauce thickens slightly. If the sauce seems too thick, thin with 1/2 to 1 cup additional coconut milk. Add the chicken and any juices in the pan and cook, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens slightly, about 10 minutes. Remove from the heat and stir in the cilantro. Season with salt and pepper.
    5. Serve the chicken, squash, and sauce over bowls of rice with fresh naan. Enjoy!
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Creamy Butternut Squash Butter Chicken | halfbakedharvest.com

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Comments

  1. 5 stars
    This recipe is so amazing. Incredible flavor / combo of spices. That said the cook time for me – especially to get the butternut squash down – is usually much (much) longer than the estimated cook time 😅… but well worth it.

  2. 5 stars
    A+. I used chicken tenders and sweet potatoes instead of squash but other than that i followed all other ingredients and directions. It was delicious. Definitely will be making again.

    1. Hi Joyce,
      I am delighted to hear that this recipe turned out well for you and appreciate you giving it a try! Have a great weekend:)

  3. 4 stars
    Holy Moses this is delicious. All my cook times were wayyyy longer and I blended the sauce to hide the squash from my husband. But this is the best Indian sauce I’ve ever had.

    1. Hey Katie,
      Happy New Year! I appreciate you making this recipe and your comment! So glad to hear it was enjoyed! xx 

    2. I’ve been wanting to make this dish for a while now, and I’m so glad I did. Very flavorful with great spiciness. Will definitely make again!

  4. Looks like a great recipe! Is there something I could substitute the yogurt for (perhaps coconut cream?)? My daughter has a dairy allergy.

    1. Hey Kayla,
      I would go ahead and use a dairy free yogurt:) Please let me know if you have any other questions, I hope you love this recipe! xT

    1. Hey Jaimee,
      I appreciate you giving this recipe a try and sharing your review, so glad to hear it was enjoyed! Happy New Year! 🎊🎈

  5. 5 stars
    Just fabulously delicious!! Tons of flavor. I had to cook the butternut squash longer but other than that = Spectacular!

    1. Hey Sheri,
      Happy New Year!!🎆 I love to hear that this recipe was a winner, thanks so much for giving it a try and sharing your review! xT

  6. 5 stars
    Super yummy! I added a splash of heavy cream in the sauce + more to drizzle on top and it was delicious. I like the addition of butternut squash

  7. 5 stars
    Such a cosy, hearty meal perfect for a cold evening! I made this for my family and they absolutely loved it – even my brother who’s such a picky eater and usually hates butternut squash and and veg like these ended up leaving the plate empty! 10/10

    1. Hey Alesia,
      Wonderful!!🎅 I love to hear that this recipe turned out well for you, thanks so much for making it and your comment! xT

    1. Hey Jeannie,
      Happy Friday! ☃️ So glad to hear that this recipe was enjoyed, I appreciate you making it! xT

      1. Hey there,
        Totally, cauliflower would also be delicious! Please let me know if you have any other questions, I hope you love this recipe! xx

    1. Hey Jessica,
      Happy Monday! Thanks so much for giving this recipe a try, I am so glad it turned out well for you! Thanks for your comment! xT

  8. 5 stars
    I made this dish last night for a midweek meal with my 25 year old son Greg. It was absolutely fabulous!! We both had enough for leftovers tonight.. I plan to make it for my husband again this weekend when he gets home. Tieghan, your recipes make me so happy!!!

    1. Hey Anne,
      Wonderful!!❄️ Thanks a bunch for giving this recipe a try and sharing your feedback, I am so glad it was a winner:)

  9. Made this tonight. Soooo delicious! My husband couldn’t get enough. It was so simple and easy to make. This is definitely going to become a dinner staple.

    1. Hi Hannah,
      Happy Thanksgiving!!🦃🍁 I am so glad to hear that this recipe turned out well for you, thanks so much for making it! xT

  10. I made this before and it was delicious. I was going to make it for my daughter for dinner tonight. But, I just discovered she doesn’t like butter nut squash. Do you think I could sub potatoes?

    Thanks,

    Michelle

    1. Hey Michelle,
      Happy Monday!! So glad to hear that this recipe was a winner, thanks for giving it a go! Sure, potatoes would be great to use! xT

  11. 5 stars
    Fantastic recipe. Warm flavors in a nice, creamy sauce was a huge hit. Grilled the naan on the (gas) stove; it gives it a little more of a “tandoori” feel.

    One tip: if you have a really good bottle of garam masala – mine comes from The Spice House – you don’t really need the cumin.

    1. Hey Leslie,
      Happy Friday!!❄️ Thanks so much for making this recipe and sharing your review, so glad to hear it was a winner! xx

  12. 5 stars
    This is SO yummy oh my goodness. I’ve made this recipe 3 times in a month because I can’t get enough of it. The good thing is, once you buy all the seasonings, you’ll have those on hand so it makes making this dish even simpler the next time! I’ve recommended this dish to everyone!

    1. Hey Madison,
      I truly appreciate you giving this recipe a try and sharing your feedback, love to hear that it was enjoyed!❄️ xx