If you’re looking to bring a taste of creamy, spiced, restaurant-quality Indian cuisine to your kitchen without spending hours at the stove, Slow Cooker Butter Chicken is just what you need! This dish has all the warm spices and rich flavors of a traditional butter chicken, but with the convenience of your slow cooker. The chicken thighs become melt-in-your-mouth tender as they cook in a luscious, spiced tomato sauce, and a swirl of cream at the end adds that signature buttery richness.
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Why You’ll Love This Slow Cooker Butter Chicken
- Set It and Forget It: Let the slow cooker do the work while you go about your day—perfect for busy weeknights or weekends!
- Rich and Creamy: The sauce is infused with aromatic spices and finished with cream, giving it a velvety texture that’s perfect for spooning over rice.
- Family-Friendly: Mild enough for kids yet full of complex flavors that everyone will love.
- Great for Meal Prep: Make a big batch and enjoy leftovers throughout the week.
Ingredients Notes
- Chicken Thighs: Using chicken thighs keeps the meat juicy and tender during the slow cooking process. If you prefer, you can use chicken breasts, but they may not be as moist.
- Spices: The blend of cumin, garam masala, smoked paprika, turmeric, and chili powder creates that warm, earthy flavor. Adjust the chili powder to suit your preferred spice level.
- Tomato Sauce/Passata: This forms the base of the sauce, providing a smooth consistency. Passata works great for an authentic texture.
- Butter: Adds richness and a touch of indulgence to the sauce. Use unsalted butter so you can control the salt level.
- Heavy Whipping Cream: This is added at the end for a smooth, creamy finish. You can use coconut cream as a dairy-free alternative.
- Herbs for Garnish: Parsley, mint, or cilantro add a fresh, vibrant note to balance the rich flavors. Pick your favorite or mix them up!
How to Make Slow Cooker Butter Chicken
To get started, you’ll mix garlic, ginger, tomato sauce, and spices directly in your slow cooker—no need for extra pans. Coat the chicken thighs in this flavorful mixture, and then scatter some cubes of butter over the top. Cover and let the slow cooker work its magic. You can set it to cook on HIGH for 1.5 to 2 hours or on LOW for 4 to 6 hours, depending on your schedule.
Once the chicken is cooked through, take it out and let it cool slightly before cutting it into bite-sized pieces. Meanwhile, stir in some heavy cream into the sauce, turning it into a luscious, creamy base. Add the chopped chicken back to the sauce, and it’s ready to serve.
Serve this butter chicken over fluffy basmati rice and with some warm naan bread on the side. Don’t forget a sprinkle of fresh herbs like cilantro, mint, or parsley to brighten up the flavors. It’s an easy way to enjoy the comforting taste of butter chicken without spending hours in the kitchen! Plus, the leftovers are even better the next day.
Storage Options
- Refrigerate: Store leftover butter chicken in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
- Reheat: Warm gently in a saucepan over medium heat, adding a splash of water or cream if the sauce has thickened too much. Alternatively, reheat in the microwave in 1-minute intervals, stirring in between.
- Freeze: Freeze in a freezer-safe container for up to 2 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.
Variations and Substitutions
- Spice It Up: Add a pinch of cayenne pepper or extra chili powder if you like a little more heat in your butter chicken.
- Dairy-Free Option: Use coconut cream instead of heavy whipping cream for a dairy-free version. It will add a subtle coconut flavor that complements the spices.
- Vegetarian Twist: Substitute the chicken with paneer or firm tofu for a vegetarian version. Add them in the last hour of cooking to avoid overcooking.
- Lighter Option: Use Greek yogurt in place of heavy cream for a lighter sauce, adding it off heat to avoid curdling.
Conclusion
Slow Cooker Butter Chicken brings the rich flavors of this Indian classic to your table with minimal effort. It’s perfect for impressing guests or for those nights when you want to treat yourself to something special without spending all evening in the kitchen. Give it a try—you’ll love how the slow cooker transforms simple ingredients into a dish that’s full of bold, comforting flavors. Don’t forget to serve it with naan for soaking up every last bit of that creamy sauce!
Slow Cooker Butter Chicken
Ingredients
- 5 cloves garlic minced
- 2 tbsp fresh ginger grated
- 16 oz tomato sauce or passata
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 2 tsp garam masala
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp ground turmeric
- 1/2 tsp chili powder
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp granulated sugar or honey
- 2 lbs chicken thighs
- 3 tbsp unsalted butter cut into small cubes
- 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, mint, or cilantro for garnish
Instructions
- Combine garlic, ginger, tomato sauce, cumin, garam masala, smoked paprika, turmeric, chili powder, salt, and sugar in a slow cooker. Stir to combine.
- Add chicken thighs, ensuring they’re coated in the sauce. Scatter butter cubes over the top.
- Cover and cook on HIGH for 1.5–2 hours or LOW for 4–6 hours, until the chicken reaches 165°F.
- Remove chicken, let it cool slightly, then cut into bite-sized pieces.
- Stir in the heavy whipping cream, whisking until smooth.
- Return the chopped chicken to the sauce, stirring to coat.
- Serve with rice and naan, garnished with fresh herbs.