Savor the rich flavors of slow cooker butter chicken where tender chicken pieces are immersed in a luxurious tomato cream sauce. The blend of aromatic spices, smooth heavy cream, and a hint of lemon creates an enticing culinary experience that bursts with flavor and comforting warmth, perfect when served over a bowl of rice.

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I created this slow cooker butter chicken recipe that brings a rich tomato cream sauce with tender chicken served over rice. I start with 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs cut into bite sized pieces, then add a large chopped onion, 3 minced garlic cloves and 1 tbsp of grated ginger.

Next I mix in a can of diced tomatoes, 1/2 cup tomato puree and 1/2 cup heavy cream. I also add 3 tbsp unsalted butter and a blend of spices like 1 tsp garam masala, 1 tsp ground cumin, 1/2 tsp turmeric powder, 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper, 1/2 tsp smoked paprika, salt and black pepper.

A squeeze of lemon juice at the end brings everything together and I garnish with fresh cilantro leaves. This butter chicken is not only loaded with flavor but also packs nutritional benefits from the spices and lean chicken which is perfect for a slow cooker dinner.

Why I Like this Recipe

I love how the rich tomato cream sauce and tender chicken come together to make a meal that always feels like a warm, home-cooked dinner for me.
I like that its super easy to prepare with the slow cooker letting everything do its thing so i don’t have to stress about it while im busy.
The mix of spices totally blows my mind sometimes; it gives the dish a perfect balance of heat and flavor that always makes me excited to eat it.

Ingredients

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Chicken thighs: Provide protein and flavor, ensuring a satisfying hearty dish.
Onion: Adds fiber and natural sweetness with deep aromatic flavor in every bite.
Garlic: Boosts savory taste, packed with antioxidants and natural goodness.
Diced Tomatoes: Provide vitamins and a sweet tang that brightens the overall sauce.
Heavy Cream: Adds a smooth, rich texture that softens the spices perfectly.
Lemon Juice: Gives a little sour zing balancing the dish with its citrus burst.
Fresh Ginger: Imparts a warm spiciness, helping balance the rich tomato base.
Cilantro: Offers a fresh herbal finish lightening and brightening the hearty sauce.

Ingredient Quantities

2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into bite sized pieces

1 large onion, finely chopped

3 cloves garlic, minced

1 tbsp fresh ginger, grated

1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes

1/2 cup tomato puree

1/2 cup heavy cream

3 tbsp unsalted butter

1 tsp garam masala

1 tsp ground cumin

1/2 tsp turmeric powder

1/2 tsp cayenne pepper (adjust to taste)

1/2 tsp smoked paprika

1/2 tsp salt (or to taste)

1/4 tsp ground black pepper

1 tbsp lemon juice

Fresh cilantro leaves, chopped (for garnish)

How to Make this

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1. Heat a tablespoon of butter in a skillet over medium heat and toss in the chopped onion, minced garlic, and grated ginger. Sauté until the onions get soft and a little golden, about 3-4 minutes.

2. In a slow cooker, add the chicken thighs along with the sautéed onion mixture.

3. Pour in the can of diced tomatoes, tomato puree, and heavy cream.

4. Sprinkle in the garam masala, ground cumin, turmeric, cayenne pepper, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper. Stir gently so all the chicken pieces are well coated.

5. Drizzle the lemon juice over the mixture and add the remaining two tablespoons of butter, cut into small pieces.

6. Stir everything lightly one more time to mix all the flavors in.

7. Cover the slow cooker and let it cook on low for about 6 hours or on high for 3-4 hours until the chicken turns tender.

8. Once done, give it a good stir and taste the sauce; add extra salt or spices if needed.

9. Serve your butter chicken over rice and don’t forget to garnish with freshly chopped cilantro. Enjoy your meal!

Equipment Needed

1. Skillet – You’ll need this for sautéing the onion, garlic, and ginger with butter.
2. Slow cooker – This is for cooking the chicken and mixing all the flavors.
3. Knife – For chopping the onions and cutting up other ingredients.
4. Cutting board – Helps with prepping the onions, garlic, and ginger.
5. Measuring spoons – For accurately adding spices like garam masala, cumin, turmeric, and cayenne.
6. Measuring cups – Useful for the heavy cream and tomato puree.
7. Stirring spoon – To mix and stir the ingredients during and after cooking.
8. Can opener – For opening the can of diced tomatoes before adding them to the slow cooker.

FAQ

How do I know when the chicken is done?

The chicken should be tender and easily pull apart, usually after about 6 hours on low in the slow cooker.

Can I use chicken breast instead of thighs?

Yes, you can, but thighs tend to stay moister and give more flavor in this recipe.

What if I want a milder dish?

You can always reduce or skip the cayenne pepper if you prefer it less spicy.

How do I store and reheat the leftovers?

Let the dish cool completely, then store in an airtight container in the fridge. Reheat gently on the stove or in the microwave.

Can I double the recipe easily?

Yup, just double the ingredients. Just make sure your slow cooker can handle the extra volume.

Slow Cooker Butter Chicken Recipe Substitutions and Variations

Heavy cream: You can substitute with coconut cream if you’re looking for a dairy-free twist. Just keep in mind it might add a slight coconut flavor to the dish.
Unsalted butter: If you dont have unsalted butter, try using ghee instead. Ghee gives a rich flavor plus its common in indian kitchens.
Tomato puree: If you cant find tomato puree, tomato sauce works fine. Just remember to adjust any extra sugars or spices if needed.

Pro Tips

1. One good idea is to marinate the chicken with some of the spices and a bit of cream for at least 30 minutes before cooking it so the meat gets that extra punch of flavor.
2. Be careful not to overcook the onions, garlic and ginger when you sauté them cause if they burn it can make the whole dish taste a bit bitter, and if things stick to the pan just add a splash of water to loosen them up.
3. Always check your seasoning near the end of cooking since slow cookers can sometimes mellow the flavors a little so you might need extra salt or lemon juice to give it that final zing.
4. Finally, toss in small bits of butter just before serving to enhance the creamy texture and rich taste of the sauce, this trick really brings all the flavors together.

Slow Cooker Butter Chicken Recipe

Recipe by Bob Jones

0.0 from 0 votes

Servings

servings

Calories

640

kcal

Equipment: 1. Skillet – You’ll need this for sautéing the onion, garlic, and ginger with butter.
2. Slow cooker – This is for cooking the chicken and mixing all the flavors.
3. Knife – For chopping the onions and cutting up other ingredients.
4. Cutting board – Helps with prepping the onions, garlic, and ginger.
5. Measuring spoons – For accurately adding spices like garam masala, cumin, turmeric, and cayenne.
6. Measuring cups – Useful for the heavy cream and tomato puree.
7. Stirring spoon – To mix and stir the ingredients during and after cooking.
8. Can opener – For opening the can of diced tomatoes before adding them to the slow cooker.

Ingredients

2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into bite sized pieces
1 large onion, finely chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 tbsp fresh ginger, grated
1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes
1/2 cup tomato puree
1/2 cup heavy cream
3 tbsp unsalted butter
1 tsp garam masala
1 tsp ground cumin
1/2 tsp turmeric powder
1/2 tsp cayenne pepper (adjust to taste)
1/2 tsp smoked paprika
1/2 tsp salt (or to taste)
1/4 tsp ground black pepper
1 tbsp lemon juice
Fresh cilantro leaves, chopped (for garnish)

Directions

Heat a tablespoon of butter in a skillet over medium heat and toss in the chopped onion, minced garlic, and grated ginger. Sauté until the onions get soft and a little golden, about 3-4 minutes.
In a slow cooker, add the chicken thighs along with the sautéed onion mixture.
Pour in the can of diced tomatoes, tomato puree, and heavy cream.
Sprinkle in the garam masala, ground cumin, turmeric, cayenne pepper, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper. Stir gently so all the chicken pieces are well coated.
Drizzle the lemon juice over the mixture and add the remaining two tablespoons of butter, cut into small pieces.
Stir everything lightly one more time to mix all the flavors in.
Cover the slow cooker and let it cook on low for about 6 hours or on high for 3-4 hours until the chicken turns tender.
Once done, give it a good stir and taste the sauce; add extra salt or spices if needed.
Serve your butter chicken over rice and don’t forget to garnish with freshly chopped cilantro. Enjoy your meal!

Notes

Below you’ll find my best estimate of this recipe’s nutrition facts. Treat the numbers as a guide rather than a rule—great food should nourish both body and spirit. Figures are approximate, and the website owner assumes no liability for any inaccuracies in this recipe.