Dreamy Slow Cooker Butter Chicken Recipe for Cozy Nights

Creamy, aromatic butter chicken dances with vibrant spices that promise a culinary adventure straight from India’s rich food culture.

Slow cooker butter chicken delivers comfort in every delectable bite, blending traditional flavors with modern convenience.

Tender chicken pieces luxuriate in a velvety tomato-based sauce, infused with warming spices like garam masala and turmeric.

Each spoonful tells a story of generations-old cooking techniques reimagined for today’s busy home cooks.

The magic happens when marinated chicken slowly simmers, absorbing complex layers of flavor that will transport you to the streets of delhi.

Fragrant herbs and rich cream create a sauce so irresistible, you’ll want to savor every single morsel.

This recipe transforms an ordinary dinner into an extraordinary dining experience that celebrates the art of Indian cuisine.

Steps To Cook Slow Cooker Butter Chicken

• Toss Ingredients Into Slow Cooker

Grab your trusty slow cooker and dump in tender chicken chunks with aromatic onions, zesty garlic, and spicy ginger. Pour in vibrant tomato sauce, rich tomato paste, and a splash of tangy lemon juice. Sprinkle in a magical blend of warm spices, then give everything a hearty stir to coat each chicken piece perfectly.

• Let Magic Happen

Set your slow cooker to low and let it work its culinary wonder for 6 hours, or crank it to high for a quicker 4-hour transformation. The kitchen will fill with mouthwatering aromas that’ll make everyone’s stomach rumble with anticipation.

• Create Creamy Goodness

During the final 30 minutes of cooking, introduce luxurious heavy cream or silky coconut milk alongside a generous pat of butter. Watch as the sauce transforms into a velvety, rich masterpiece that’ll make your taste buds dance.

• Present Your Flavor Explosion

Shower your butter chicken with fresh, bright cilantro. Serve this gorgeous dish over fluffy rice or alongside warm, pillowy naan. For an extra indulgent touch, drizzle some melted butter or golden ghee on top. Prepare for a culinary journey that’ll transport you straight to flavor paradise!

Tips To Make Slow Cooker Butter Chicken Better

• Butter Blending Brilliance: Soften butter before adding to the slow cooker for smoother, more evenly distributed creaminess throughout the sauce.
• Protein Power Switch: Swap chicken thighs for paneer or tofu to create a delicious vegetarian version that maintains the rich, authentic flavor profile.
• Spice Level Control: Adjust heat by reducing or increasing garam masala and cayenne pepper – start mild and build intensity to suit personal taste preferences.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare the entire dish a day in advance and refrigerate, allowing flavors to meld and intensify overnight for an even more complex taste experience.
• Dietary Flexibility: Use coconut milk instead of heavy cream for a dairy-free option, and opt for gluten-free tomato sauce to accommodate various dietary restrictions while keeping the recipe's authentic Indian-inspired essence.

Serving Slow Cooker Butter Chicken Made Easy

• Rich Rice Pairing: Serve this delectable butter chicken over fragrant basmati rice, allowing the creamy sauce to seep into each grain and create a luxurious blend of flavors that elevates the entire dining experience.
• Naan Bread Companion: Grab some warm, soft naan bread to scoop up the velvety sauce, transforming each bite into a delightful journey of spices and textures that will tantalize your taste buds.
• Cooling Side Sensation: Complement the rich butter chicken with a refreshing cucumber raita or yogurt-based side dish, which helps balance the warmth of the spices and provides a cool, smooth contrast to the main course.
• Garnish Glow-Up: Sprinkle fresh chopped cilantro, a handful of sliced green onions, or a few toasted almond slivers on top to add a burst of color, extra flavor, and a delightful crunch that makes the dish visually appealing and more exciting.

Smart Storage For Slow Cooker Butter Chicken

• Refrigerator Refresh: Store leftover butter chicken in airtight containers for up to 4 days. The flavors actually enhance overnight, making next-day meals even more delicious.
• Freezer Friendly Feast: Portion and freeze the chicken in sealed containers for convenient future meals. Defrost slowly in the refrigerator and reheat gently to maintain sauce texture.
• Meal Prep Magic: Prepare chicken in advance during weekends. Divide into individual servings for quick lunch or dinner options throughout the busy workweek.
• Accompaniment Adventures: Experiment with different side dishes like quinoa, cauliflower rice, or mixed vegetable salads to keep meal rotations exciting and nutritionally balanced.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 4-6 hours

Total Time: 4-6 hours 10 minutes

Calories: 516 kcal

Servings: 5

Everything In Slow Cooker Butter Chicken

• Chicken: Tender meat that absorbs all the delicious spices and creates the foundation of the dish, choose boneless skinless thighs for maximum flavor and juiciness.
• Onion: Provides deep aromatic base that helps build complex flavor profile, select fresh yellow onions for sweetest undertones.
• Garlic: Adds robust earthy punch and enhances overall taste, use fresh cloves for most potent flavor.
• Ginger: Introduces warm, spicy notes that complement chicken perfectly, opt for fresh root for brightest taste.

• Tomato Sauce: Creates smooth, rich liquid base that helps tenderize chicken, select high-quality canned sauce for consistent texture.
• Tomato Paste: Concentrates and deepens tomato flavor, choose varieties without added preservatives.
• Lemon Juice: Brightens entire dish with tangy freshness, use fresh squeezed for most vibrant taste.
• Heavy Cream: Transforms sauce into luxurious, velvety texture, full-fat version provides best results.
• Coconut Milk: Offers delightful alternative cream with subtle tropical undertone, select pure, unsweetened version.

• Spices: Complex blend that creates signature Indian-inspired flavor profile, ensure spices are fresh and fragrant.
• Butter: Adds rich, silky finish and enhances overall creaminess, use unsalted for better flavor control.
• Cilantro: Fresh herb that provides bright, clean garnish, choose leaves with vibrant green color.
• Rice/Naan: Perfect accompaniment that soaks up delicious sauce, select long-grain basmati rice or soft, pillowy naan.
• Ghee: Optional.

Tools You’ll Need For Slow Cooker Butter Chicken

• Slow Cooker: Essential for cooking the butter chicken low and slow, creating tender and flavorful meat.
• Cutting Board: Needed for preparing onions, garlic, and ginger before adding to the slow cooker.
• Sharp Knife: For chopping ingredients precisely and safely.
• Measuring Spoons: To accurately measure out spices for perfect seasoning.
• Wooden Spoon or Spatula: For stirring ingredients and ensuring even coating of chicken.
• Serving Dish: To present the butter chicken over rice or with naan.
• Optional Garnish Tools: Small herb scissors or chopping board for fresh cilantro.

Tender Slow Cooker Butter Chicken Recipe

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4.6 from 16 reviews

• Total Time: 4-6 hours 10 minutes
• Yield: 5 1x

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Description

Creamy slow cooker butter chicken delights diners with authentic Indian flavors. Tender chicken simmers in a rich, aromatic sauce that promises comfort and satisfaction for home cooks.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1.5 lbs (680 g) chicken thighs or breasts, cut into chunks
• 1 tbsp garam masala
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• 1 tsp ground coriander
• 0.5 tsp turmeric
• 0.5 tsp smoked paprika
• 0.5 tsp chili powder (optional, for heat)
• 0.5 tsp salt (adjust to taste)
• 0.25 tsp black pepper
• 1 tbsp fresh ginger, grated
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 can (14 oz/400 ml) tomato sauce (or pureed tomatoes)
• 2 tbsps tomato paste
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• 1 cup heavy cream (or coconut milk for dairy-free option)
• 3 tbsps butter (or ghee)
• 1 small onion, diced
• Cooked basmati rice or naan bread
• Fresh cilantro, chopped
• Extra butter or ghee for drizzling (optional)

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Instructions

1. Prepare Base: Craft an aromatic foundation by combining chopped onions, minced garlic, and grated ginger directly in the ceramic slow cooker insert, establishing a flavor-rich starting point.
2. Layer Protein: Arrange chicken pieces evenly atop the fragrant aromatics, ensuring complete coverage and optimal flavor absorption.
3. Build Sauce: Pour tomato sauce and paste over the chicken, creating a vibrant liquid blanket that will tenderize and enhance the meat’s texture while developing a rich, complex flavor profile.
4. Spice Infusion: Generously dust the surface with cumin, garam masala, turmeric, and paprika, transforming the dish into a vivid canvas of traditional Indian spices that will penetrate deeply into the chicken.
5. Enhance Flavor: Splash lemon juice across the mixture, introducing brightness and helping to break down the proteins while gently whisking to ensure complete ingredient integration.
6. Slow Cook: Secure the lid and set the slow cooker to low temperature, allowing the ingredients to meld and develop an intense, nuanced flavor over 6-7 hours, with minimal intervention.
7. Finish Sauce: During the final 45 minutes, introduce heavy cream and unsalted butter, stirring gently to create a luxurious, silky sauce that elevates the entire dish’s richness and depth.
8. Final Touch: Verify chicken’s tenderness by ensuring it pulls apart effortlessly, then garnish with freshly chopped cilantro leaves to add a vibrant, herbaceous note and visual appeal.
9. Serve: Present alongside steamed basmati rice or warm naan bread, inviting diners to immerse themselves in this deeply satisfying culinary experience.

Notes

• Prevent Curdling: Temper the heavy cream by gradually adding a small amount of hot sauce to it before stirring into the slow cooker, preventing potential separation and maintaining a smooth texture.
• Spice Intensity Control: Adjust the amount of garam masala and other spices based on personal heat tolerance, starting with less and incrementally adding more to achieve desired flavor profile.
• Protein Flexibility: Substitute chicken thighs or boneless chicken breasts depending on preference, ensuring uniform sizing for consistent cooking and optimal tenderness.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare the base ingredients the night before, refrigerate overnight, and start the slow cooker in the morning for a hassle-free, deeply flavored meal ready by dinnertime.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 4-6 hours
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Slow Cooking
• Cuisine: Indian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 516
• Sugar: 6 g
• Sodium: 600 mg
• Fat: 36 g
• Saturated Fat: 22 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
• Trans Fat: 1 g
• Carbohydrates: 15 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 30 g
• Cholesterol: 170 mg