Slow Cooker Butter Chicken: Creamy & Flavorful
Effortless Comfort Food Slow Cooker Recipes.
A rich, creamy, and incredibly easy butter chicken recipe made right in your slow cooker.
I used to be so intimidated by Indian cooking. All the spices felt like a beautiful but complicated puzzle. Then, I discovered the magic of the slow cooker. I remember the first time I tried this recipe, just layering everything in the pot and hoping for the best. Wow. The chicken came out so tender, and the sauce was unbelievably rich. My husband took one bite and just looked at me with wide eyes. It's been a staple in our home ever since. It’s proof that sometimes, the most wonderful things don't require a lot of effort, just a little time.
Why You'll Love This Recipe
- •It’s wonderfully easy. Just mix, set, and forget.
- •The chicken becomes incredibly tender and flavorful.
- •The sauce is so rich and creamy, it feels like a restaurant-quality meal.
- •Your whole house will smell amazing while it cooks.
- •It's perfect for a cozy weeknight dinner or a relaxed weekend meal.
- •A guaranteed family-pleaser, even for picky eaters.
Honestly, this is better than our favorite takeout spot. I couldn't believe something this delicious came out of my slow cooker. My kids asked for seconds, which, I mean, that's the highest compliment you can get, right? We'll be making this again and again.
Essential Ingredient Guide
- Chicken Thighs: Please, use chicken thighs for this! They stay so much more moist and tender in the slow cooker than chicken breasts do. It really makes a difference in the final texture.
- Full-Fat Yogurt: The yogurt is key for tenderizing the chicken in the marinade. Full-fat gives the best results and a richer flavor. Don't use a sweetened or flavored variety, just plain and simple.
- Garam Masala: This is the heart of the flavor. It’s a beautiful blend of warm spices. A good quality garam masala will make your butter chicken sing. It's worth finding one you love.
- Tomato Passata: This is simply strained tomatoes, and it creates a silky-smooth sauce. If you can't find it, tomato puree is a good substitute. I prefer it over diced tomatoes to avoid chunks in the final sauce.
Complete Cooking Process
- Cut the chicken thighs into bite-sized pieces.
- In a bowl, mix the chicken with all the marinade ingredients.
- Let it sit in the fridge. This step is so important for tender, flavorful chicken.
- In your slow cooker, simply whisk together the tomato passata and all the sauce spices.
- Add the chopped onion, garlic, and ginger. It's that easy, no pre-cooking needed.
- Add the marinated chicken to the sauce base and give it a gentle stir.
- Put the lid on and let the slow cooker do its thing. Try not to peek!
- Let it cook low and slow for the most tender results.
- Just before you're ready to eat, stir in the butter and heavy cream.
- Watch as the sauce transforms into that classic, creamy butter chicken color.
- Serve it hot with fluffy rice and tear-apart naan bread.
Frequently Asked Questions
→Can I use chicken breast instead of thighs?
You can, but I'd recommend reducing the cooking time to avoid it drying out. Check it after 2-3 hours on high or 4 hours on low. Thighs just hold up so much better to the long cooking time.
→Is this recipe very spicy?
No, it's very mild and flavorful, not hot-spicy. It's very kid-friendly. If you'd like more heat, you could add a pinch of cayenne pepper or a finely chopped chili with the onions.
→Can I make this dairy-free?
Yes, you can make some substitutions. Use a plain, unsweetened coconut yogurt for the marinade, coconut cream instead of heavy cream, and a dairy-free butter or coconut oil at the end. The flavor will be slightly different but still delicious.
→What should I serve with slow cooker butter chicken?
Fluffy basmati rice is classic for soaking up all that wonderful sauce. Warm naan bread is also a must-have in our house! A simple side of steamed green beans or a cucumber salad would be lovely too.
Slow Cooker Butter Chicken: Creamy & Flavorful
Slow cooker butter chicken is rich, creamy, flavorful & easy to make. Perfect for a hassle-free dinner the whole family will love!
Timing
Prep Time
15 minutes
Cook Time
4-6 hours
Total Time
4 hours 15 minutes
Recipe Details
Ingredients
For the Chicken Marinade
- 012 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into 1-inch pieces
- 021 cup plain full-fat yogurt
- 032 tablespoons lemon juice
- 041 tablespoon minced fresh ginger
- 052 cloves garlic, minced
- 061 teaspoon garam masala
- 071 teaspoon turmeric
- 081 teaspoon ground cumin
- 091 teaspoon salt
For the Butter Sauce
- 011 (15-ounce) can tomato passata or tomato puree
- 021 medium onion, finely chopped
- 032 cloves garlic, minced
- 041 tablespoon minced fresh ginger
- 051 teaspoon garam masala
- 061 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 071/2 teaspoon salt
- 081/2 cup heavy cream
- 094 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into pieces
- 10Fresh cilantro and basmati rice, for serving
Instructions
In a medium bowl, combine all the marinade ingredients: chicken pieces, yogurt, lemon juice, ginger, garlic, garam masala, turmeric, cumin, and salt. Mix well to coat the chicken. Cover and let it marinate in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes, or up to 4 hours.
In the bottom of a 6-quart slow cooker, whisk together the tomato passata, chopped onion, minced garlic, ginger, garam masala, smoked paprika, and salt.
Add the marinated chicken (and all the marinade) to the slow cooker. Stir gently to combine everything.
Cover and cook on low for 5-6 hours or on high for 3-4 hours, until the chicken is tender and cooked through.
About 15 minutes before serving, uncover the slow cooker and stir in the heavy cream and butter pieces until the butter is fully melted and the sauce is creamy and smooth.
Taste the sauce and adjust the salt if needed. Serve warm over basmati rice, garnished with fresh cilantro. It's lovely with some warm naan bread on the side.
Notes & Tips
- 1If you like a bit of texture, you can briefly sauté the onions in a separate pan before adding them to the slow cooker, but it's not necessary for a delicious result.
- 2The color of your final dish will depend on the spices and tomato product you use. Don't worry if it's not bright orange; flavor is what matters!
Tools You'll Need
- •Don't skip the marinating step! Even 30 minutes makes a huge difference in the chicken's tenderness and flavor.
- •For the richest sauce, use full-fat yogurt and heavy cream. This isn't the place for low-fat substitutes.
- •Resist the urge to lift the slow cooker lid while it's cooking. Every time you do, you release heat and add to the cooking time.
- •If your sauce seems a bit thin at the end, you can leave the lid off for the last 15-20 minutes of cooking to help it reduce slightly.