Description
This Slow Cooker Indian Butter Chicken recipe offers a delicious and easy way to enjoy a classic Indian dish with tender chicken thighs simmered in a rich, creamy, and spiced tomato sauce. Perfect for busy days, this recipe uses a slow cooker to meld all the authentic flavors effortlessly, resulting in a comforting meal that pairs wonderfully with basmati rice or naan bread.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
Spices and Aromatics
- 1 large onion, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated
- 2 teaspoons ground cumin
- 2 teaspoons garam masala
- 1 teaspoon ground turmeric
- 1 teaspoon ground coriander
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- Salt and pepper to taste
Liquids and Dairy
- 1 can (14 oz) tomato sauce
- 1 cup Greek yogurt
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons butter
Garnish and Serving
- Fresh cilantro, chopped, for garnish
- Cooked basmati rice or naan bread, for serving
Instructions
- Prepare the chicken: Place the bite-sized chicken thigh pieces in the slow cooker and season them evenly with salt and pepper to enhance flavor.
- Make the spice mixture: In a mixing bowl, combine finely chopped onion, minced garlic, grated ginger, tomato sauce, Greek yogurt, lemon juice, and all the ground spices including cumin, garam masala, turmeric, coriander, paprika, and cayenne pepper. Stir well until thoroughly blended.
- Combine ingredients: Pour the prepared mixture over the chicken in the slow cooker, ensuring every piece is fully coated with the spiced sauce.
- Slow cook the chicken: Cover the slow cooker and cook on low heat for 6 to 8 hours or on high heat for 4 hours, allowing the chicken to become tender and the flavors to meld.
- Add cream and butter: Approximately 30 minutes before serving, stir in the heavy cream and butter into the slow cooker. Let it simmer gently until the butter melts and integrates smoothly into the sauce.
- Adjust seasoning: Taste the butter chicken and adjust the seasoning by adding more salt or spices if desired to suit your palate.
- Serve: Serve the hot butter chicken garnished with freshly chopped cilantro alongside cooked basmati rice or warm naan bread for a complete meal.
Notes
- Using boneless, skinless chicken thighs ensures the dish stays juicy and tender throughout the long cooking time.
- Greek yogurt adds creaminess and a slight tang to balance the spices.
- Adjust cayenne pepper according to your spice preference; reduce or omit for milder flavors.
- For a richer taste, full-fat yogurt works best.
- Butter can be substituted with ghee for a more traditional flavor.
- Leftovers store well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and can be reheated gently on the stovetop.
- If you prefer, you can add vegetables such as peas or bell peppers during the last hour of cooking.
