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
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.
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.
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.
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
Serving Slow Cooker Butter Chicken Made Easy
Smart Storage For Slow Cooker Butter Chicken
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
For Protein Base:For Sauce Components:For Spices and Finishing Touches:Tools You’ll Need For Slow Cooker Butter Chicken
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Tender Slow Cooker Butter Chicken Recipe
- Total Time: 4-6 hours 10 minutes
- Yield: 5 1x
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.
Ingredients
- 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)
Instructions
- 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.
- Layer Protein: Arrange chicken pieces evenly atop the fragrant aromatics, ensuring complete coverage and optimal flavor absorption.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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
Olivia Bennett
Co-Founder & Content Creator
Expertise
Nutritional Analysis, Dietary Accommodations, Food Writing and Blogging,
Education
University of Texas at Austin
Institute of Culinary Education, New York, NY
Olivia Bennett is Cooking Crusade’s go-to expert for nutritious, feel-good food. Based in Austin, she blends her degree in Nutrition from the University of Texas with plant-based culinary training from the Institute of Culinary Education.
Olivia’s recipes are all about balance: vibrant, wholesome, and easy-to-love dishes that work for all kinds of eaters. Her mission is simple: to make healthy eating approachable and genuinely tasty, with tips that support your lifestyle, not complicate it.