Name: Slow Cooker Butter Chicken Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 1 h 30 min
Total time: 1 h 45 min
Cuisine: Indian
Ingredients: 5 cloves garlic (minced); 2 tablespoons fresh ginger (grated); 16-oz (450g) tomato sauce (or passata); 1 teaspoon ground cumin; 2 teaspoons garam masala; 1 teaspoon smoked paprika; 1 teaspoon ground turmeric; ½ teaspoon chili powder; 1 teaspoon salt; ½ teaspoon granulated sugar (or honey); 2 lb (900g) chicken thighs; 3 tablespoons unsalted butter (cut into small cubes); ½ cup (120ml) heavy whipping cream (double cream in the UK); 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, mint, or cilantro (for garnish)

If you’re craving a dish that’s both cozy and bursting with delicious Indian flavors, you’ve got to try my Slow Cooker Butter Chicken Recipe. I absolutely love how this turns out every time — the chicken gets tender and juicy while soaking up the creamy, spiced sauce. Plus, the slow cooker does most of the work, so you can just set it and forget it. Stick around because I’m going to share all my favorite tips and tricks to make sure your butter chicken comes out perfect and restaurant-worthy.

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Effortless Slow Cooking: You just toss everything in and let your slow cooker do the magic while you focus on other things.
Perfectly Tender Chicken: The thighs become melt-in-your-mouth tender, soaking up all those rich flavors.
Balanced Flavor Profile: Creamy, mildly spiced, with a hint of smoky warmth that everyone enjoys—even picky eaters.
Family Favorite: My family goes crazy for this recipe; it’s a guaranteed crowd-pleaser for dinner or special occasions.

This image shows a close-up of a creamy orange curry with chunks of tender meat in a black slow cooker. The curry sauce is thick and smooth with a slightly shiny surface. Small green herb pieces are sprinkled on top, adding a fresh contrast to the warm orange sauce. A black spoon is partially submerged in the curry on the right side, lifting some pieces of the meat. The background is a white marbled texture. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7 - Slow Cooker Butter Chicken, Indian Butter Chicken, Easy Slow Cooker Dinner, Creamy Chicken Curry, Make-Ahead Indian Chicken

Ingredients You’ll Need

The ingredients here blend beautifully to create that signature butter chicken taste — rich tomatoes, warming spices, and just enough creaminess. When shopping, I like to use fresh ginger and garlic because it really elevates the sauce, and picking good-quality chicken thighs makes a big difference in tenderness.

Flat lay of fresh garlic cloves, grated ginger, vibrant red tomato sauce, warm golden turmeric powder, deep red smoked paprika, rich brown garam masala, creamy cubes of unsalted butter, tender raw chicken thighs, and bright green fresh cilantro leaves, all beautifully arranged on a white marble surface, photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7 - Slow Cooker Butter Chicken, Indian Butter Chicken, Easy Slow Cooker Dinner, Creamy Chicken Curry, Make-Ahead Indian Chicken

Garlic: Fresh minced garlic packs way more flavor than pre-minced — don’t skip it.
Fresh ginger: Grated ginger adds a gentle zing and depth; it’s worth the little extra effort.
Tomato sauce or passata: Use a quality tomato sauce with no added sugar for the base.
Ground cumin: This brings an earthy warmth that complements the other spices perfectly.
Garam masala: The magic spice blend here; if you can make your own or find a good one, it changes everything.
Smoked paprika: Adds a subtle smoky flavor without heat, I love this touch.
Ground turmeric: Gives the dish its golden color and mild warmth.
Chili powder: Just enough to add a mild kick, but you can adjust according to your spice tolerance.
Salt: Enhances all the flavors — remember to season well!
Granulated sugar or honey: Balances the acidity in the tomatoes; honey gives a nice natural sweetness.
Chicken thighs: I use bone-in or boneless, skinless thighs for the best texture and flavor.
Unsalted butter: Adds richness and creaminess; cutting it into cubes helps it melt evenly.
Heavy whipping cream (double cream): Stirred in at the end to make that sauce silky and luxurious.
Fresh parsley, mint, or cilantro: For garnish, adding freshness and a pop of color.

Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Variations

I love customizing this Slow Cooker Butter Chicken Recipe depending on the season or what’s in my pantry. You can easily swap out herbs or adjust the spice blend to make it your own. Don’t hesitate to experiment a little to find what your family likes best!

Use coconut milk instead of heavy cream: I tried this when dairy wasn’t on hand, and it gave a lovely tropical twist without losing creaminess.
Add vegetables: When I want something heartier, I throw in diced bell peppers or peas during the last hour of cooking.
Make it spicier: If you like heat, increase the chili powder or add a finely chopped chili right into the sauce at the start.
Protein swap: I’ve even made this with boneless chicken breasts, but I find thighs stay juicier and tender in the slow cooker.

How to Make Slow Cooker Butter Chicken Recipe

Step 1: Prep the Flavor Base

Start by adding your minced garlic, grated ginger, tomato sauce, and all the spices into the slow cooker. Give everything a good stir so the flavors get to know each other right from the start. I like to mix it up a bit with my hands for even coating — just make sure everything is combined well before adding the chicken.

Step 2: Add Chicken and Butter

Place the chicken thighs into the sauce, turning them gently to coat each piece with the spiced tomato mixture. Scatter the cubes of unsalted butter all over the top — this adds an amazing richness as it melts. Cover your slow cooker and set it to HIGH for 1.5 to 2 hours, or LOW for 4 to 6 hours. You’ll know the chicken is perfectly cooked when it reaches 165°F if you check with a meat thermometer. This practice gives you confidence to avoid undercooked or overcooked meat!

Step 3: Finish the Sauce

Carefully remove the chicken from the slow cooker and place it on a cutting board to cool just a bit — this makes it easier to cut into bite-sized pieces. Stir the heavy cream into the sauce and whisk thoroughly until the sauce turns creamy and smooth. This step is what transforms the dish into that iconic butter chicken you’re craving.

Step 4: Combine and Serve

Return the chunked chicken pieces back into the sauce, stirring gently to coat everything well. At this point, your Slow Cooker Butter Chicken Recipe is ready to serve! I love pairing it with fluffy basmati rice and warm naan bread to soak up every last bit of that sauce.

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Pro Tips for Making Slow Cooker Butter Chicken Recipe

Use Fresh Aromatics: I discovered this trick when I switched to fresh ginger and garlic over powders — it makes the sauce taste brighter and fresher.
Don’t Skip the Butter Cubes: Adding butter on top before cooking infuses the sauce with richness that’s hard to beat.
Keep an Eye on Cooking Times: I used to overcook the chicken, but now I trust a thermometer to get the perfect tender texture.
Whisk in the Cream Off-Heat: Adding cream off the heat prevents it from curdling and keeps your sauce silky smooth.

How to Serve Slow Cooker Butter Chicken Recipe

A white bowl contains two main layers: on the left side is a fluffy pile of white rice with fresh green herb pieces sprinkled on top, and on the right side are chunks of chicken covered in a creamy orange sauce with a smooth texture, also garnished with small green herb bits scattered around. The background is a white marbled surface and a small glass bowl filled with more chopped herbs is partially visible at the top right corner. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7 - Slow Cooker Butter Chicken, Indian Butter Chicken, Easy Slow Cooker Dinner, Creamy Chicken Curry, Make-Ahead Indian Chicken

Garnishes

I always finish this butter chicken with a sprinkle of fresh herbs — cilantro or mint are my go-to, as they lend a fresh, aromatic lift to the rich sauce. Sometimes I mix parsley and cilantro depending on what’s in my fridge. A little extra herbs make it look pretty and taste even better!

Side Dishes

Basmati rice is a must here for me; its fluffy grains soak up that buttery sauce perfectly. Naan bread is another favorite — warm, soft, and perfect for scooping. Occasionally, I serve it alongside some lightly steamed green beans or roasted cauliflower to add some veggies to the meal.

Creative Ways to Present

For dinner parties, I like to serve the butter chicken in a large beautiful bowl garnished with colorful herbs and a few toasted nuts for crunch. Another fun idea is layering it in a bowl with rice, some pickled onions, and a dollop of yogurt for an extra fresh pop. Presentation can really elevate the experience!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator where the flavors actually deepen overnight. The chicken stays juicy, and the sauce thickens perfectly. Leftovers typically last about 3 to 4 days — which is perfect for quick lunches or dinners later in the week.

Freezing

I often freeze leftover butter chicken in portion-sized freezer bags or containers. Make sure it’s completely cooled before freezing. When you defrost, it reheats beautifully without losing texture. I learned this makes a fantastic freezer-friendly meal for busy days.

Reheating

To reheat, I gently warm the butter chicken on the stovetop over low heat, stirring occasionally. Adding a splash of water or cream helps loosen the sauce if it thickened too much. Microwave works, too, just heat in short bursts and stir between to keep the sauce creamy and avoid drying out the chicken.

FAQs

Can I use chicken breasts instead of thighs in this slow cooker butter chicken recipe?

You can definitely use chicken breasts, but keep in mind they can dry out more easily during slow cooking. I recommend cutting them into larger chunks and closely monitoring cooking time—aiming for the lower end of cooking duration—to keep them tender and juicy.
Is this slow cooker butter chicken recipe spicy?

It’s mildly spiced, focusing more on warm, aromatic flavors rather than heat. If you want it spicier, you can easily increase the chili powder or add fresh chilies to suit your taste. I find it’s just right for both adults and kids with this recipe’s balance.
Can I prepare this recipe in advance?

Absolutely! You can assemble the sauce and chicken in the slow cooker insert the night before, then refrigerate it. In the morning, just pop it on and cook as directed. This makes busy days so much easier!
What’s the best way to reheat slow cooker butter chicken?

Reheat gently on the stovetop over low heat, stirring frequently. Add a splash of cream or water if the sauce has thickened too much to maintain its creamy texture. Microwaving works too, just be mindful to stir every 30 seconds to heat evenly.

Final Thoughts

When I first tried this Slow Cooker Butter Chicken Recipe, I was amazed by how simple it was to create such a rich, flavorful dish with minimal hands-on time. It quickly became a staple in my household because everyone loves it, and it’s so forgiving if you’re new to Indian cooking. I hope you try it out soon—I have a feeling you’ll love how easy and satisfying this recipe is. Trust me, once you make this, it’ll be your go-to comfort dinner for busy nights and special family meals alike.