Healthy Butter Chicken for Northern Virginia Athletes

Quick, healthy, and packed with protein—perfect for CrossFit, personal training, and meal prep in Alexandria and the greater DMV area.

Living in Alexandria, Virginia means we’re spoiled with incredible Indian restaurants like Bombay Bistro on Duke Street and Curry Mantra in Del Ray. But when you’re trying to stay consistent with your nutrition goals, ordering takeout every week isn’t always the answer.

Why Butter Chicken Needs a Healthy Makeover

Butter Chicken is comfort food at its finest: creamy, spiced, and downright crave-worthy. But the traditional recipe often leans heavy on cream and butter. That’s why I set out to create Paul’s Healthy Butter Chicken — a dish that keeps the authentic flavor while trimming the calories and fat, perfect for Alexandria residents focused on their fitness goals.

The Savory Spice Starting Point

I began with the Spice & Easy Butter Chicken kit from Savory Spice. Their blend layers savory, warm, and floral spices into one simple packet.

Alexandria Shopping Tip: You can find similar spice blends at Whole Foods Market on Duke Street (22314) or Fresh Market on King Street. For more authentic options, check out the Indian grocery stores along Richmond Highway in the 22309 area.

What’s inside the mix:
Salt, sugar, onion, garlic, vinegar powder, tomato, turmeric, coriander, cumin, cardamom, black pepper, aji amarillo, chiles, cloves, mace, orris root, thyme, cinnamon, bay leaves.

The base recipe calls for:

• 1 ¾ cups heavy cream
• ½ cup butter
• 2 pounds chicken
• 28 oz diced canned tomatoes
• Spice & Easy Butter Chicken Mix

Delicious — but definitely indulgent.

Where to Find Indian Ingredients in Alexandria VA

Before we dive into the recipe, here are the best spots in Alexandria (22301-22315) to source authentic ingredients:

Indian Grocery Stores:

• India Bazaar – Richmond Highway (22309) – Best selection of spices and specialty items
• Patel Brothers – Route 1 corridor – Comprehensive Indian grocery chain
• Maharaja Indian Grocery – Mount Vernon area (22309)

Mainstream Options:

• Whole Foods Duke Street (22314) – Good spice selection, organic options
• Fresh Market King Street – Quality ingredients, convenient Old Town location
• Giant Food stores throughout Alexandria – Basic Indian spices in international aisle

Make Your Own Copycat Spice Mix

If you’d like to DIY, here’s my copycat spice blend inspired by the Savory Spice mix:

Copycat Butter Chicken Spice Mix

• 2 tbsp salt
• 2 tbsp sugar
• 2 tbsp onion powder
• 1 tbsp garlic powder
• 1 tbsp tomato powder (optional)
• 2 tsp vinegar powder (or citric acid)
• 2 tsp turmeric
• 2 tsp ground coriander
• 2 tsp ground cumin
• 1 tsp ground cardamom
• 1 tsp black pepper
• ½ tsp aji amarillo (or paprika + chili)
• ½ tsp cayenne or chili powder
• ½ tsp cloves
• ¼ tsp mace (optional)
• ¼ tsp orris root (optional)
• ½ tsp dried thyme
• ½ tsp cinnamon
• 1 crushed bay leaf

👉 Store airtight. Use 2–3 tbsp per batch of butter chicken.

Paul’s Healthy Butter Chicken Recipe