Butter Chicken Meal in a Jar

Butter Chicken Meal in a Jar

Looking for a hearty, satisfying, Indian-inspired meal that is protein-packed and perfectly spiced, but without all the prep and mess?

Well, I’ve got you covered!

This Butter Chicken Meal in a Jar is for YOU!

Made with all dry and/or dehydrated ingredients, all you have to do when it comes to meal time is pour the contents into a pot, add water, and heat for 15 minutes.

Then, voila, dinner is done and ready to eat!

Ingredients for Butter Chicken in a Jar

This meal in a jar recipe was developed for “just add water” convenience.

When time is tight, or days are chaotic, it’s nice to have a meal on hand that you can prepare easily, without a lot of time or equipment, and definitely with minimal mess to clean up after!

Where I live, many of these ingredients can be purchased in stores, but for most people you will need to order these online.

There are several retailers available as options, or you should be able to find all of the ingredients available on Amazon. I have tried my best to provide links to the cheapest options available (at the time of this writing).

To make this Butter Chicken in a Jar recipe, you’ll need the following “specialty” ingredients:

• freeze-dried diced chicken (this can be grilled or just regular)
• tomato powder
• heavy cream powder
• butter powder

Then from your pantry or grocery store, you’ll need:

• chili powder
• turmeric
• dry minced onion
• garam masala
• cumin
• dry minced garlic
• ground ginger
• paprika
• kosher salt

Equipment Needed for the Meal in a Jar

For the basic version of this meal in a jar, you will layer your ingredients into a quart-sized glass mason jar and then vacuum seal the jar with a new lid. That’s it!

Although simple, it does require some specific equipment.

You’ll need:

• wide-mouth quart-size mason jars
• NEW, unused wide-mouth jar lid
• wide-mouth jar ring: this does not have to be new – it simply helps to hold the lid on and maintain the vacuum seal.
• vacuum sealer with accessory hose OR electric jar sealer: I have a Foodsaver vacuum sealer that I used for years, until it broke. I bought a new one but I’ve had problems with the hose, so I thought I would try out one of the new jar sealers available online, and so far I have to say I have been VERY impressed! The reviews are hit or miss, but I have had no problems with mine so far.
• jar sealer attachment (if using a vacuum sealer with accessory hose)
• oxygen absorber: these are OPTIONAL. They help to maintain the vacuum in the jar and to prolong the shelf life of the meal in a jar. If you are planning to make these for long-term storage (longer than a few months), I recommend adding an oxygen absorber on top of the food right below the lid as extra insurance.
• canning funnel: I prefer to use a stainless steel wide-mouth funnel, just because I find them easier to work with and to clean. But any funnel with a large opening will usually work.

Making the Butter Chicken Meal in a Jar

You’ll need to thoroughly wash and dry your mason jar.

Place a canning or other large-opening funnel on top of your jar.

Carefully layer your ingredients into the jar, one at a time, in the following order:

• chicken
• tomato powder
• heavy cream powder
• butter powder
• all remaining ingredients

You will likely need to gently tap the powdered ingredients down, to get them to sift between the diced chicken, so that all ingredients will fit.

I usually do this by lightly tapping the bottom of the jar onto the table-top. But be careful, as doing this does present a small risk of cracking your jar.

Alternatively, if you find that the space in the jar is too tight, you can place all ingredients into a bowl and mix together, then scoop and place them into the jar.

If you’ll be using an oxygen absorber, add this on top of all the ingredients.

Carefully wipe the rim of the jar to remove any dust or food particles so that you can get a good seal with the lid.

Then, place a new lid on the jar and use your vacuum sealer or jar sealer on top of the jar, making sure it is seated properly and all the way down, then vacuum seal following the manufacturer instructions.

Once sealed, check to verify that the lid has sealed properly. Make sure the small “bubble” in the center of your lid has sunk down and does not give when pushed on, and then use your fingers to gently try to lift the side of the lid – it shouldn’t give or lift.

Place the ring on your jar and tighten to finger tight to help keep the lid in place.

Storing Your Butter Chicken in a Jar

You’ll want to be sure to label your jar with the contents, date made, and cooking instructions.

To aid with that, I’ve created labels you can print on cardstock, and then cooking instructions you can print on sticker paper to affix to the jar lid.

Store your meal in a jar in a cool, dry location away from direct sunlight.

Meal Shelf Life

The shelf life of your Butter Chicken in a Jar will depend on storage conditions.

In a sealed glass jar, shelf life will be 5-10 years, extending potentially to 25 years. If it lasts that long without you eating it… 😉

You’ll want to check on your meal in a jar periodically to make sure that the jar remains sealed. If you find that the seal has been broken, immediately DISCARD all contents.

Making Your Butter Chicken

When you’re ready to make your Butter Chicken meal, gently pry off the lid of the jar to release the vacuum.

Discard any oxygen absorber (if used), and pour the contents of the jar into a large saucepan or dutch oven.

Add 7 cups of water, and whisk gently to combine.

Bring to a boil. Then lower the temperature and simmer, covered, for 15 to 20 minutes.

That’s it – dinner is DONE!

Serving Suggestions

We love to serve this Butter Chicken over rice and/or with a side of naan bread.

If you want to go fancy, you can swirl in a bit of extra cream and garnish with some freshly chopped cilantro.

The meal will make 7 cups, which allows for 6 large servings of just over 1 cup each – that’s one hearty meal!

I hope you will love this meal as much as we do, as developing it has definitely been a labor of love, but I am SO pleased with the end result! Honestly, I think this is personally my favorite meal in a jar recipe so far!! But I might be a little biased…