Description
Slow Cooker Butter Chicken — a rich, creamy, slow-simmered curry that starts with a simple, hands-off prep and yields tender chicken in a velvety tomato sauce.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1½ lb boneless skinless chicken thighs or breasts
- 1 can crushed tomatoes
- 1 small onion, finely diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp fresh ginger, grated
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter
- 1 tbsp garam masala
- 1½ tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp ground turmeric
- ½ tsp chili powder
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ cup heavy cream
- ½ cup plain Greek yogurt
- Optional: fresh cilantro for garnish
Instructions
- Place chicken in the bottom of the slow cooker.
- Add crushed tomatoes, onion, garlic, ginger, butter, garam masala, cumin, paprika, turmeric, chili powder, and salt.
- Stir gently to coat the chicken in the sauce.
- Cover and cook on low for 4–5 hours or high for 2–3 hours, until chicken is tender.
- Remove chicken, cut or shred into bite-sized pieces, then return to the slow cooker.
- Stir in heavy cream and Greek yogurt until smooth and creamy.
- Cover and cook for an additional 15–20 minutes on low.
- Taste and adjust seasoning before serving. Garnish if desired.
Notes
- Serve over fluffy rice or naan-style flatbread.
- Garnish with fresh cilantro if desired.
- The sauce thickens slightly as it rests; reheat gently.
- For a lighter version, use part-skim dairy or dairy-free substitutes.
- Adjust salt to taste; you may want more or less depending on your tomatoes.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 4–5 hours (low) or 2–3 hours (high) + 15–20 minutes after adding dairy
- Category: Main course
- Method: Slow cooker
- Cuisine: Indian-inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: Approximately 420
- Sugar: Approximately 6 g
- Sodium: Approximately 580 mg
- Fat: Approximately 30 g
- Saturated Fat: Approximately 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: Approximately 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: Approximately 12 g
- Fiber: Approximately 3 g
- Protein: Approximately 34 g
- Cholesterol: Approximately 110 mg
Keywords: Slow Cooker Butter Chicken, creamy butter chicken, chicken curry, slow cooker recipes, garam masala, Indian-inspired dinner