Description
Slow Cooker Butter Chicken is a creamy, crowd-pleasing Indian-inspired dish that shines in the slow cooker, delivering tender chicken in a rich tomato-cream sauce. Easy to make, perfect for weeknights and Pinterest-worthy dinners.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 lbs boneless skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into chunks
- 1 medium onion, finely diced
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tbsp fresh ginger, grated
- 1 can (15 oz) tomato sauce
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 4 tbsp butter
- 1 cup plain yogurt
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 2 tsp garam masala
- 1 tsp curry powder
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp paprika
- ½ tsp turmeric
- ½ tsp chili powder (optional for heat)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh cilantro for serving
- Cooked rice or warm naan for serving (halal-friendly)
Instructions
- Add chicken, onion, garlic, ginger, tomato sauce, yogurt, tomato paste, garam masala, curry powder, cumin, paprika, turmeric, chili powder, salt, and pepper to the slow cooker. Stir to coat.
- Cover and cook on low for 6–7 hours or on high for 3–4 hours until the chicken is tender.
- Stir in butter and heavy cream. Allow it to warm and thicken for 10–15 minutes.
- Taste and adjust seasonings if needed.
- Serve over rice or with warm naan, topped with fresh cilantro.
Notes
- You can adjust heat by adding more or less chili powder.
- Use chicken thighs for juicier, more forgiving results.
- For a thicker sauce, simmer uncovered for 10–15 minutes after cooking, or add a bit more yogurt.
- Leftovers freeze well for up to 2 months.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 6–7 hours (low) or 3–4 hours (high)
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooker
- Cuisine: Indian-inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: ~520 kcal
- Sugar: ~6 g
- Sodium: ~500 mg
- Fat: ~34 g
- Saturated Fat: ~20 g
- Unsaturated Fat: ~12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: ~12 g
- Fiber: ~2 g
- Protein: ~36 g
- Cholesterol: ~180 mg
Keywords: Slow Cooker Butter Chicken, butter chicken recipe, slow cooker chicken curry, Indian butter chicken, creamy chicken curry, halal butter chicken