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
Scale
- 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