Cozy Slow Cooker Butter Chicken Recipe – Flavor Magic Awaits

Mastering a delectable butter chicken in your slow cooker brings incredible convenience to your culinary adventures.

Aromatic spices dance through tender chicken pieces, creating magic in your kitchen.

Indian cuisine offers rich, complex flavors that comfort and excite your palate.

Marinating meat beforehand intensifies the depth of this classic dish.

Minimal preparation ensures you spend less time cooking and more time enjoying.

Fragrant garam masala and creamy tomato sauce combine to produce an irresistible meal.

You’ll fall in love with this effortless recipe that delivers restaurant-quality taste right at home.

FAQs

• Can I use chicken breasts instead of thighs?

Yes, you can substitute chicken breasts, but thighs are more flavorful and tender. Just be careful not to overcook them to prevent dryness.

• Is this recipe spicy?

The recipe has mild spiciness, but you can adjust the heat by adding or reducing cayenne pepper. For less heat, omit cayenne completely.

• Do I need to brown the chicken before putting it in the slow cooker?

No, you can add raw chicken directly to the slow cooker. The long cooking process will ensure the chicken is fully cooked and tender.

• Can I make this recipe dairy-free?

Substitute coconut cream for heavy cream and use dairy-free yogurt alternative. The butter can be replaced with coconut oil or vegan butter for a dairy-free version.

Reasons to Love Slow Cooker Butter Chicken

• Throw ingredients into the slow cooker and let it work its magic, creating a hands-off culinary experience that's perfect for busy home cooks.
• Packed with a rich blend of aromatic spices like garam masala, curry powder, and turmeric, this dish delivers an authentic and complex taste profile that'll wow your taste buds.
• A creamy, mild-yet-flavorful meal that appeals to both adults and kids, making it an ideal option for family dinners or casual gatherings with friends.
• Easily scalable and great for leftovers, this butter chicken can be prepared ahead of time and reheats beautifully, making it a smart choice for meal planning and busy weeknights.

What’s in Slow Cooker Butter Chicken

• Chicken Thighs: Tender meat that absorbs the rich sauce perfectly.

• Butter, Greek Yogurt, Heavy Cream, Coconut Milk: Creamy ingredients that create a smooth, luxurious sauce.

• Onion, Garlic, Ginger: Foundational flavor builders for the dish.

• Garam Masala, Curry Powder, Ground Cumin, Paprika, Turmeric, Chili Powder, Cinnamon, Cayenne Pepper: Warm and complex spice mixture that gives depth to the sauce.

• Salt, Black Pepper: Essential flavor enhancers for balanced taste.

• Fresh Cilantro: Bright herb for garnish and fresh flavor.

• Basmati Rice, Naan Bread: Traditional accompaniments for the butter chicken.

Steps to Make Slow Cooker Butter Chicken

Step 1: Prepare Chicken and Aromatics

Slice chicken thighs into tender bite-sized chunks.

Finely dice the onion.

Crush and mince fresh garlic and ginger until fragrant and smooth.

Step 2: Build Flavor Base in Slow Cooker

Toss chopped onion, minced garlic, and ginger into the slow cooker.

• Tomato sauce
• Coconut milk
• Greek yogurt
• Heavy cream

• Garam masala
• Curry powder
• Ground cumin
• Paprika
• Turmeric
• Chili powder
• Salt
• Black pepper
• Cinnamon
• Cayenne pepper

Whisk everything together until perfectly combined.

Step 3: Marry Chicken with Sauce

Drop chicken pieces into the spiced sauce.

Gently stir to ensure each morsel gets coated with the rich, vibrant mixture.

Step 4: Slow Cook to Perfection

Cover slow cooker and let simmer on low for 6-8 hours or high for 3-4 hours.

Chicken will become incredibly tender and infused with deep, complex flavors.

Step 5: Enrich and Finish

15 minutes before serving, fold in butter, allowing it to melt and create a luxurious, silky sauce.

Taste and adjust seasonings as desired.

Step 6: Plate and Enjoy

Ladle butter chicken over fluffy basmati rice.

Sprinkle with fresh cilantro.

Serve alongside warm naan bread for dipping into the luscious sauce.

Tips for Better Slow Cooker Butter Chicken

• Slice chicken thighs uniformly to ensure even cooking and consistent texture throughout the dish.
• Adjust chili powder and cayenne pepper according to personal heat tolerance, adding gradually to control spiciness.
• Use full-fat Greek yogurt and coconut milk for richer, more luxurious sauce consistency and deeper flavor profile.
• Stir dairy ingredients gently and maintain low, steady temperature to prevent sauce from separating during slow cooking.
• Let chicken marinate in spices for at least 30 minutes before slow cooking to help ingredients meld and intensify taste.

Storing Slow Cooker Butter Chicken the Smart Way

• Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Cool the dish completely before sealing to prevent moisture buildup.
• Transfer cooled butter chicken to freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags. Remove excess air and freeze for up to 2-3 months. Label with the date for easy tracking.
• Place portions in a microwave-safe dish, cover with a damp paper towel to retain moisture. Heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each interval until thoroughly warmed.
• Pour leftovers into a saucepan, add a splash of water or extra coconut milk to prevent drying. Warm over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally until heated through and sauce reaches desired consistency.

Pairings for Slow Cooker Butter Chicken

• Flavor Fusion Companions: Rich, creamy butter chicken demands strategic pairings.
• Spice-Cooling Sidekick: Crisp, chilled mango lassi perfectly balances the dish's warm, complex spices and cuts through the richness with its sweet, tangy profile.
• Wine and Dine Match: Gewürztraminer or off-dry Riesling wines complement the chicken's aromatic spices, their slight sweetness harmonizing with the creamy sauce.
• Textural Contrast Plate: Warm, soft naan bread and fluffy basmati rice provide ideal carbohydrate vehicles to soak up the luxurious sauce, adding delightful textural dimensions to each bite.

Recipe Variants of Slow Cooker Butter Chicken

• Vegetarian Butter Chickpeas: Replace chicken with chickpeas or tofu for a plant-based protein alternative. Reduce cooking time to 2-3 hours on low to prevent overcooking.
• Dairy-Free Option: Swap Greek yogurt and heavy cream with coconut cream or cashew cream. Use olive oil instead of butter for final enrichment.
• Low-Carb Cauliflower Rice: Substitute basmati rice with cauliflower rice to reduce carbohydrate content. Maintain same spice profile and cooking method for authentic flavor experience.
• Instant Pot Speedier Version: Transfer all ingredients to instant pot, cook on high pressure for 10-12 minutes with natural release. Perfect for quick weeknight meals with identical flavor complexity.

Slow Cooker Butter Chicken Recipe

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4.6 from 26 reviews

• Total Time: 8 hours 15 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Comfort meets Indian cuisine in this irresistible slow cooker butter chicken that brings restaurant-quality flavors straight to your kitchen. Creamy, spiced sauce and tender chicken will make this dish a weeknight favorite you can’t wait to savor.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Protein:

• 2 pounds (907 grams) boneless skinless chicken thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces

Spices and Seasonings:

• 3 tablespoons garam masala
• 1 tablespoon curry powder
• 1 tablespoon ground cumin
• 1 tablespoon paprika
• 1 teaspoon turmeric
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)

Base and Liquid Ingredients:

• 1 large onion, finely chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, minced
• 1 can (15 ounces/425 grams) tomato sauce
• 1 can (14 ounces/400 milliliters) coconut milk
• 1/2 cup (120 milliliters) plain Greek yogurt
• 1/4 cup (60 milliliters) heavy cream
• 1/4 cup (57 grams) unsalted butter, cut into small pieces

Garnish and Serving:

• Fresh cilantro, chopped (for garnish)
• Cooked basmati rice (for serving)
• Naan bread (for serving)

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Instructions

1. Prepare the aromatic base by finely dicing onions, crushing garlic, and grating fresh ginger to create a flavor foundation for the dish.
2. Combine all spices including garam masala, curry powder, cumin, paprika, turmeric, chili powder, cinnamon, salt, and black pepper in the slow cooker, creating a rich, complex seasoning blend.
3. Pour tomato sauce, creamy coconut milk, tangy Greek yogurt, and heavy cream into the slow cooker, whisking to create a smooth, luxurious sauce.
4. Slice chicken thighs into uniform bite-sized pieces, ensuring even cooking and tender texture throughout the dish.
5. Gently fold chicken pieces into the spiced sauce, ensuring each morsel is thoroughly coated and infused with the aromatic blend.
6. Cover slow cooker and cook on low heat for 6-8 hours or high heat for 3-4 hours, allowing flavors to meld and chicken to become incredibly tender.
7. During the final 15 minutes of cooking, incorporate rich butter, stirring until completely melted and integrated into the sauce, enhancing its velvety consistency.
8. Taste and adjust seasonings, adding additional spices if needed to balance the flavor profile.
9. Plate the butter chicken over fluffy basmati rice, garnishing with fresh chopped cilantro for a bright, herbal finish.
10. Serve alongside warm naan bread, perfect for soaking up the luscious, spice-laden sauce.

Notes

• Trim chicken thighs carefully to ensure even cooking and prevent tough pieces.
• Adjust spice levels by reducing or increasing chili powder and cayenne pepper for personal heat preference.
• Use full-fat coconut milk and Greek yogurt for richer, creamier sauce consistency.
• Consider using boneless, skinless chicken breasts as a leaner protein alternative without compromising flavor.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 8 hours (low) or 4 hours (high)
• Category: Dinner, Lunch
• Method: Slow Cooking
• Cuisine: Indian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 570
• Sugar: 6 g
• Sodium: 850 mg
• Fat: 40 g
• Saturated Fat: 24 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
• Trans Fat: 1 g
• Carbohydrates: 30 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 32 g
• Cholesterol: 150 mg