Description
Slow Cooker Butter Chicken is a comforting, creamy, and richly spiced Indian-inspired dish made effortlessly in a slow cooker. Tender chicken thighs are cooked in a velvety tomato-based sauce enhanced with ginger, garlic, and a blend of warming spices, then finished with butter and cream for a luxurious texture. This easy slow cooker recipe yields juicy, flavorful chicken perfect for serving with basmati rice and naan bread.
Ingredients
Scale
Spices & Sauce
- 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)
Chicken & Dairy
- 2 lb (900g) chicken thighs
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter (cut into small cubes)
- ½ cup (120ml) heavy whipping cream (double cream in the UK)
Garnish
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, mint, or cilantro (for garnish)
Instructions
- Combine sauce ingredients: Add grated ginger, minced garlic, tomato sauce, ground cumin, garam masala, smoked paprika, ground turmeric, chili powder, salt, and sugar to the slow cooker. Stir thoroughly to combine all the flavors into a smooth sauce base.
- Add and coat chicken: Place the chicken thighs into the slow cooker, making sure to coat each piece well with the spice and tomato sauce mixture for maximum flavor infusion.
- Add butter and slow cook: Scatter the small cubes of unsalted butter evenly over the chicken and sauce. Cover the slow cooker with the lid, then cook on HIGH for 1.5 to 2 hours or on LOW for 4 to 6 hours until the chicken is fully cooked and reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
- Remove and cool chicken: Once cooked, carefully remove the chicken pieces onto a cutting board and let them cool slightly so they can be handled safely for cutting.
- Finish the sauce: Stir the heavy whipping cream into the sauce left in the slow cooker. Whisk gently to create a rich, creamy consistency that complements the spiced tomato base.
- Slice chicken and return: Cut the rested chicken thighs into bite-sized pieces and return them to the creamy sauce in the slow cooker, mixing gently to coat every piece thoroughly.
- Serve and garnish: Serve the butter chicken hot alongside steamed basmati rice and naan bread. Garnish with freshly chopped parsley, mint, or cilantro for a burst of herbal brightness.
Notes
- This slow cooker recipe provides a perfectly tender and juicy chicken with deep, balanced spice flavors without being overly hot or spicy.
- The use of butter and cream makes the sauce luxuriously smooth and creamy.
- Garam masala adds essential warmth and aroma; feel free to make your own or use a quality store-bought blend.
- Check the chicken’s internal temperature to ensure it is safely cooked through before serving.
- Serve with rice and naan bread to soak up the delicious sauce.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 580 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 1369 mg
- Fat: 58 g
- Saturated Fat: 23 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 34 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 11 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 40 g
- Cholesterol: 286 mg
