Slow Cooker Butter Chicken Recipe
Delicious slow cooker butter chicken made with tender chicken thighs simmered in a rich and creamy tomato-coconut sauce infused with aromatic spices, finished with butter and served garnished with fresh cilantro. Perfectly paired with basmati rice and naan bread for an easy and flavorful meal.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 6-8 hours (low) or 3-4 hours (high)
- Total Time: 6 hours 20 minutes to 8 hours 20 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: Indian
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Sauce Base
- 2 lbs boneless skinless chicken thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 large onion, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, minced
- 1 can (15 oz) tomato sauce
- 1 can (14 oz) coconut milk
- 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt
- 1/4 cup heavy cream
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, cut into small pieces
Spices
- 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, for extra heat)
For Serving
- Fresh cilantro, chopped (for garnish)
- Cooked basmati rice
- Naan bread
Instructions
- Prepare the Ingredients: Cut the chicken thighs into bite-sized pieces. Finely chop the onion, and mince the garlic and ginger carefully to maximize flavor release.
- Combine Ingredients in Slow Cooker: In a 6-quart slow cooker, add the chopped onion, garlic, and ginger. Pour in the tomato sauce, coconut milk, Greek yogurt, and heavy cream. Stir in garam masala, curry powder, ground cumin, paprika, turmeric, chili powder, salt, black pepper, cinnamon, and cayenne pepper if using, ensuring all spices are well incorporated.
- Add the Chicken: Add the bite-sized chicken pieces to the slow cooker and stir thoroughly to coat the chicken evenly with the sauce and spices.
- Cook: Cover the slow cooker and cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours, until the chicken is tender and fully cooked through.
- Finish the Dish: About 15 minutes before serving, stir in the unsalted butter pieces, allowing them to melt completely and blend into the sauce, enriching its flavor and texture. Taste the sauce and adjust seasoning as needed.
- Serve: Spoon the butter chicken over cooked basmati rice, garnish with chopped fresh cilantro, and serve with warm naan bread on the side for dipping into the delicious sauce.
Notes
- For extra heat, include the cayenne pepper as indicated.
- Using chicken thighs rather than breasts ensures the meat remains tender and flavorful throughout the slow cooking process.
- Adjust the consistency of the sauce by adding more coconut milk or cream if desired.
- Serve immediately after adding butter for the best texture and flavor, though leftovers keep well refrigerated for up to 3 days.
Keywords: slow cooker butter chicken, Indian slow cooker recipes, creamy butter chicken, easy butter chicken, crockpot Indian curry
Find it online: https://foodiecara.com/slow-cooker-butter-chicken-recipe/