Easy Slow Cooker Butter Chicken – Creamy, Flavorful, and Simple
Craving a creamy and flavorful dish? This Slow Cooker Butter Chicken is just what you need. With a blend of warm spices and a rich, buttery sauce, it's the perfect meal for busy nights. Simply toss everything into your slow cooker, and let it work its magic. Serve it with rice or naan for a complete, comforting meal. Delicious, easy, and hassle-free!
What Makes This Recipe So Good?
- Effortless Cooking – Just toss everything into the slow cooker, and it does all the work for you.
- Rich and Creamy – The sauce is perfectly balanced with cream, butter, and warm spices.
- Authentic Flavors – Inspired by classic Indian cuisine, but simplified for home cooks.
- Perfect for Meal Prep – Make a big batch and enjoy leftovers that taste even better the next day.
- Family-Friendly – Mild enough for kids, but easily adaptable with more heat for spice lovers.
- Customizable – Serve it with rice, naan, or even cauliflower rice for a low-carb option.
- Comforting and Satisfying – The ultimate cozy meal, especially on busy or cold days!
Key Ingredients
- Chicken Thighs or Breasts – Tender and juicy, perfect for slow cooking.
- Butter – Adds richness and a velvety texture to the sauce.
- Heavy Cream – For a smooth, creamy sauce that balances the spices.
- Tomato Sauce – Forms the base of the sauce with a tangy flavor.
- Garlic and Ginger – Classic aromatics that bring depth to the dish.
- Garam Masala – A blend of warm spices that gives authentic Indian flavor.
- Ground Cumin and Coriander – Add earthy and slightly nutty notes.
- Turmeric – For color and a subtle, warm flavor.
- Chili Powder or Cayenne – For just the right amount of heat.
- Fresh Cilantro – For garnish and a fresh, herbaceous finish.
Chefs Helpful Tips
- Sear the Chicken First – For extra flavor, quickly sear the chicken in a hot pan before adding it to the slow cooker. This caramelizes the outside and adds depth to the dish.
- Use Full-Fat Ingredients – For the creamiest sauce, opt for full-fat cream and butter. It gives the dish a rich, authentic texture.
- Spice Levels – Adjust the chili powder or cayenne pepper based on your heat preference. If you’re serving kids, start with less and add more if needed.
- Thicken the Sauce – If the sauce is too thin after slow cooking, you can mix a little cornstarch with water and stir it in for a thicker consistency.
- Finish with Fresh Cilantro – Adding fresh cilantro at the end brightens up the dish and gives it a fresh, herbaceous touch.
- Marinate the Chicken – For extra flavor, marinate the chicken in the spices and yogurt overnight before adding it to the slow cooker.
- Use Chicken Thighs for More Flavor – Thighs are juicier and more flavorful than breasts, especially after slow cooking.
- Double the Recipe – This dish freezes beautifully! Make extra for quick and easy meals later.
- Stir in Yogurt for Tang – If you like a tangy flavor, stir in a spoonful of plain yogurt at the end.
Recipes To Try...
Craving a creamy and flavorful dish? This Slow Cooker Butter Chicken is just what you need. With a blend of warm spices and a rich, buttery sauce, it's the perfect meal for busy nights. Simply toss everything into your slow cooker, and let it work its magic. Serve it with rice or naan for a complete, comforting meal. Delicious, easy, and hassle-free!
- 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts (680g)
- 1 cup tomato sauce
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter
- 3 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 tbsp fresh ginger (minced)
- 1 tbsp garam masala
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp ground coriander
- 1 tsp turmeric
- 1/2 tsp chili powder or cayenne pepper (adjust to taste)
- 1 tsp salt (or to taste)
- 1/4 cup water or chicken broth (optional, for thinning sauce)
- Fresh cilantro (chopped, for garnish)
- Prepare the Chicken
Cut the chicken into bite-sized pieces (if using chicken breasts or large thighs). Set aside.
- Make the Sauce
In a medium bowl, whisk together the tomato sauce, heavy cream, minced garlic, minced ginger, garam masala, ground cumin, ground coriander, turmeric, chili powder, and salt until well combined.
- Add Ingredients to Slow Cooker
Place the chicken pieces into the slow cooker. Pour the sauce mixture over the chicken, ensuring all pieces are well coated.
- Slow Cook
Cover and cook on low for 4-6 hours or on high for 3-4 hours, until the chicken is fully cooked and tender.
- Add Butter
About 20 minutes before the cooking time is up, stir in the butter until it melts into the sauce. This will add richness and a silky texture.
- Thicken the Sauce (Optional)
If the sauce seems too thin, mix 1 tablespoon of cornstarch with 2 tablespoons of water and stir it into the slow cooker. Let it cook for another 10-15 minutes until the sauce thickens.
- Rest and Garnish
Once done, let the butter chicken rest for 5 minutes to allow the flavors to meld. Garnish with fresh chopped cilantro.
- Serve
Serve the butter chicken with rice, naan, or your favorite side. Enjoy!
Servings 4
- Amount Per Serving
- Calories 420kcal
- Calories from Fat 270kcal
- % Daily Value *
- Total Fat 30g47%
- Saturated Fat 15g75%
- Cholesterol 140mg47%
- Sodium 600mg25%
- Potassium 550mg16%
- Total Carbohydrate 8g3%
- Dietary Fiber 2g8%
- Sugars 3g
- Protein 28g57%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.