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Slow Cooker Butter Chicken 14.png

Slow Cooker Butter Chicken

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๐Ÿ› This Slow Cooker Butter Chicken recipe delivers tender, flavorful chicken simmered in a rich, creamy sauce with warm spices.
โฐ Perfect for easy meal prep, it requires minimal hands-on time and pairs beautifully with basmati rice or naan bread.

  • Total Time: 1 hour 45 minutes to 6 hours 15 minutes
  • Yield: 6 servings

Ingredients

– 5 cloves garlic, minced

– 2 tablespoons fresh ginger, grated

– 16 ounces (450g) tomato sauce or passata

– 1 teaspoon ground cumin

– 2 teaspoons garam masala

– 1 teaspoon smoked paprika

– 1 teaspoon ground turmeric

– ยฝ teaspoon chili powder (optional for reduced spiciness)

– 1 teaspoon salt

– ยฝ teaspoon granulated sugar or honey (optional)

– 2 pounds (900g) chicken thighs, boneless and skinless

– 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into small cubes

– ยฝ cup (120ml) heavy whipping cream (or half and half, or coconut milk for non-dairy option)

– 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, mint, or cilantro for garnish

Instructions

1-First Step: Mix the Base In your slow cooker, combine the minced garlic, grated ginger, 16 ounces (450g) of tomato sauce or passata, 1 teaspoon ground cumin, 2 teaspoons garam masala, 1 teaspoon smoked paprika, 1 teaspoon ground turmeric, ยฝ teaspoon chili powder if you want some heat, 1 teaspoon salt, and ยฝ teaspoon granulated sugar or honey if desired. Stir everything well to blend the flavors. This base sets the foundation for the dish’s rich taste.

2-Second Step: Add the Chicken Add the 2 pounds (900g) of boneless, skinless chicken thighs to the slow cooker and coat them evenly with the sauce. This helps the chicken absorb the spices during cooking. Scatter 3 tablespoons of unsalted butter, cut into small cubes, over the top for that creamy finish.

3-Third Step: Cook the Dish Cover and cook on high for 1.5 to 2 hours or on low for 4 to 6 hours, until the chicken hits 165ยฐF inside. This slow method keeps the meat tender and juicy, as noted in the recipe tips. No extra water is needed since the chicken releases its own liquids.

4-Once done, remove the chicken and let it cool a bit so it’s easy to handle.

5-Stir in the ยฝ cup (120ml) of heavy whipping cream or your chosen alternative to make the sauce creamy.

6-Cut the chicken into bite-sized pieces and mix it back into the sauce.

7-Serve with basmati rice and naan bread, topped with 2 tablespoons of fresh parsley, mint, or cilantro.

Last Step:

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Notes

๐Ÿฒ Use a 4-quart slow cooker for smaller batches or 6-quart for larger.
๐ŸŒฟ Add fresh cilantro, parsley, or mint as garnish for freshness.
๐Ÿฅฅ For dairy-free, substitute cream with coconut milk; add cream after cooking to avoid separation.

  • Author: Brandi Oshea
  • Prep Time: 10 to 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 1.5 to 2 hours (high) or 4 to 6 hours (low)
  • Category: Main Dish
  • Method: Slow Cooking
  • Cuisine: Indian

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 serving
  • Calories: 580
  • Sugar: 6 grams
  • Sodium: 1369 milligrams
  • Fat: 58 grams
  • Saturated Fat: 23 grams
  • Trans Fat: 1 gram
  • Carbohydrates: 11 grams
  • Fiber: 3 grams
  • Protein: 40 grams
  • Cholesterol: 286 milligrams