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.
Ingredients
Scale
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)
Instructions
- Prepare the aromatic base by finely dicing onions, crushing garlic, and grating fresh ginger to create a flavor foundation for the dish.
- 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.
- Pour tomato sauce, creamy coconut milk, tangy Greek yogurt, and heavy cream into the slow cooker, whisking to create a smooth, luxurious sauce.
- Slice chicken thighs into uniform bite-sized pieces, ensuring even cooking and tender texture throughout the dish.
- Gently fold chicken pieces into the spiced sauce, ensuring each morsel is thoroughly coated and infused with the aromatic blend.
- 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.
- During the final 15 minutes of cooking, incorporate rich butter, stirring until completely melted and integrated into the sauce, enhancing its velvety consistency.
- Taste and adjust seasonings, adding additional spices if needed to balance the flavor profile.
- Plate the butter chicken over fluffy basmati rice, garnishing with fresh chopped cilantro for a bright, herbal finish.
- 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