Crockpot Butter Chicken Recipe
Cozy Weeknight Dinner Main Course.
A rich and creamy butter chicken, made effortlessly in the crockpot. The perfect cozy weeknight meal.
I used to think making authentic butter chicken was this big, complicated affair. I'd save it for restaurant nights. But then I started thinking about my slow cooker, sitting there on the counter. Could it do the work? I started playing around, mixing the spices, letting the chicken gently poach in that fragrant tomato sauce for hours. The first time I lifted the lid, wow. The whole kitchen filled with that incredible aroma. The chicken was so tender, and the sauce was so velvety. It felt like I'd unlocked a secret, and now it's our favorite way to have a cozy night in.
Why You'll Adore This Recipe
- •It’s a true 'set it and forget it' meal, which is just a gift on busy days.
- •The chicken becomes unbelievably tender and soaks up all the flavor.
- •It makes the entire house smell warm, spicy, and inviting.
- •You get that rich, authentic restaurant flavor with minimal effort.
- •The creamy, velvety sauce is perfect for scooping up with warm naan.
I'm honestly stunned at how good this turned out. My family said it was better than our favorite Indian takeout spot! The chicken just falls apart, and the sauce is so creamy and rich. This is going into our regular rotation, for sure. Thank you!
Essential Ingredient Guide
- Full-Fat Yogurt: Please use full-fat yogurt for the marinade. It has the right consistency to tenderize the chicken and won't curdle in the heat. It makes a real difference in the texture.
- Garam Masala: This is the heart of the dish. It's a blend of warm spices that gives butter chicken its signature flavor. A good quality garam masala is worth it.
- Fresh Ginger and Garlic: I know the jarred stuff is convenient, but freshly grated ginger and minced garlic give a brightness and potency that you just can't replicate. It’s a small step that adds so much.
- Heavy Cream: This is what gives the sauce its luxurious, velvety finish at the end. Don't be shy with it! It balances the acidity of the tomatoes beautifully.
Complete Cooking Process
- First, you'll want to cut your chicken into bite-sized pieces.
- In a simple bowl, mix together the yogurt and all those lovely spices. This is where the flavor foundation begins.
- Add the chicken, give it a good stir, and let it sit. This step is like a quiet pause that makes the chicken so tender later on.
- Directly in the slow cooker, combine the diced onion, crushed tomatoes, and the rest of the sauce spices.
- It looks simple, but this is the rich, tangy base that everything will simmer in.
- Gently transfer the marinated chicken into the slow cooker.
- Set the timer, put the lid on, and walk away. This is the magic part. The slow cooker does all the work, melding all those flavors together.
- Right before you're ready to eat, stir in the heavy cream and butter.
- Watch as the sauce transforms into that iconic, creamy, pale orange color. It's the final, beautiful touch.
A Few Common Questions
→Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?
Oh, absolutely. I often prefer thighs! They have a bit more flavor and stay incredibly moist during the long cooking time. Use whatever you have and love.
→My sauce seems a little thin. What can I do?
If you'd like a thicker sauce, you can leave the lid off for the last 30 minutes of cooking to let some liquid evaporate. Or, you can stir in a small slurry of cornstarch and water at the end, but I find it usually thickens up perfectly once the cream is added.
→Can I make this dairy-free?
Yes, you can try. Use a dairy-free plain yogurt (like coconut or cashew-based) for the marinade and full-fat coconut milk or cream instead of the heavy cream. The flavor will be a little different, with a slight coconut note, but still very delicious.
→How spicy is this recipe?
It's more fragrant and flavorful than spicy. It's very mild and kid-friendly. If you like more heat, you could add a pinch of cayenne pepper or a finely chopped chili to the sauce base.
Crockpot Butter Chicken Recipe
Easy crockpot butter chicken recipe for a creamy, rich, and flavorful Indian dish. Perfect for weeknights! Get the recipe now.
Timing
Prep Time
15 minutes
Cook Time
4 hours
Total Time
4 hours 15 minutes
Recipe Details
Ingredients
For the Chicken
- 012 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into 1-inch cubes
- 021 cup plain full-fat yogurt
- 031 tablespoon lemon juice
- 041 tablespoon minced garlic
- 051 tablespoon grated fresh ginger
- 061 teaspoon garam masala
- 071 teaspoon turmeric
- 081 teaspoon ground cumin
- 091 teaspoon salt
For the Sauce
- 011 large yellow onion, finely diced
- 021 (15-ounce) can crushed tomatoes
- 031 tablespoon tomato paste
- 041 teaspoon garam masala
- 051 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 061/2 cup heavy cream
- 074 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into pieces
- 08Fresh cilantro, for garnish
- 09Basmati rice and naan bread, for serving
Instructions
In a large bowl, combine the yogurt, lemon juice, garlic, ginger, garam masala, turmeric, cumin, and salt. Add the chicken pieces and stir until everything is well coated. Cover and let it marinate for at least 30 minutes in the fridge, or up to 4 hours if you have time.
Place the diced onion, crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, 1 teaspoon of garam masala, and smoked paprika into the bottom of your slow cooker. Stir to combine.
Add the marinated chicken (along with all the marinade) to the slow cooker. Give it a gentle stir to mix with the tomato base.
Cover and cook on low for 4-5 hours or on high for 2-3 hours, until the chicken is cooked through and tender.
About 15 minutes before serving, stir in the heavy cream and the pieces of butter until the butter has fully melted and the sauce is creamy and smooth.
Taste and adjust for salt if needed. Serve warm over basmati rice, garnished with fresh cilantro and with a side of naan bread for dipping. It's just so good.
Notes & Tips
- 1If you prefer, you can sear the chicken in a hot pan for a minute on each side before adding it to the crockpot. It adds another layer of flavor, but it's an optional step if you're short on time.
Tools You'll Need
- •Don't skip the marinating step, even if it's just for 30 minutes. It makes the chicken so tender.
- •For a deeper flavor, you can quickly sauté the onions in a pan before adding them to the crockpot.
- •Use good quality, full-fat ingredients (yogurt, cream). This is a rich dish, and those elements are key.
- •Taste the sauce right at the end and adjust the salt. It often needs a little more than you think.