Slow Cooker Indian Butter Chicken

Imagine the rich aroma of exotic spices filling your kitchen as your Slow Cooker Indian Butter Chicken simmers to perfection. This velvety, creamy curry combines tender chicken morsels with a buttery tomato sauce that’s both comforting and luxurious. Traditional butter chicken (or murgh makhani) can be intimidating to make at home, but this slow cooker version simplifies the process while preserving all the authentic flavors you’d expect from your favorite Indian restaurant. You’ll learn how to create this crowd-pleasing dish with minimal effort, allowing your slow cooker to work its magic while you go about your day.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This Slow Cooker Indian Butter Chicken recipe is about to become your new favorite for so many reasons. First, the convenience factor is unbeatable—just prepare the ingredients, add them to your slow cooker, and return hours later to a perfectly cooked meal. The slow cooking process allows the chicken to become incredibly tender, practically melting in your mouth with each bite.

The sauce is where this dish truly shines. It achieves that perfect balance of creaminess from the butter and cream, tanginess from the tomatoes, and warmth from the blend of spices. There’s a delightful textural contrast between the silky sauce and the chunks of chicken that make each spoonful interesting.

What’s more, this crockpot butter chicken is infinitely adaptable to your spice preference. You can dial the heat up or down and still achieve that authentic Indian flavor profile. Even better, the recipe creates an abundance of rich sauce that’s perfect for spooning over rice or sopping up with naan bread. The leftovers (if there are any!) taste even better the next day as the flavors continue to develop.

Ingredients

For this sumptuous Slow Cooker Indian Butter Chicken, you’ll need:

• 2 lbs (900g) boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into 1-inch pieces
• 1 large onion, finely diced (about 1 cup)
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon (15g) fresh ginger, grated
• 2 tablespoons (30g) butter
• 1 can (14 oz/400g) tomato sauce
• 1 can (6 oz/170g) tomato paste
• 2 tablespoons (30ml) lemon juice
• 1 cup (240ml) heavy cream
• 2 tablespoons garam masala
• 1 tablespoon curry powder
• 1 teaspoon ground turmeric
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon chili powder (adjust to taste)
• 1 teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• ¼ cup (60g) plain yogurt
• Fresh cilantro, chopped (for garnish)
• Cooked basmati rice, for serving
• Naan bread, for serving

The garam masala is the backbone of authentic Indian slow cooker butter chicken, providing that distinctive warm spice profile that cannot be substituted. High-quality chicken thighs are recommended over breast meat as they remain juicier during the long cooking process.

Pro Tips

Choose the right cut of chicken: For the most tender Slow Cooker Indian Butter Chicken, opt for chicken thighs over breasts. They contain more fat, which means they won’t dry out during the slow cooking process and will absorb more flavor. If you must use chicken breasts, reduce the cooking time slightly to prevent them from becoming tough.

Bloom your spices: Before adding the spices to your slow cooker, consider “blooming” them by sautéing them in a small pan with a bit of butter for 30-60 seconds. This quick extra step awakens the essential oils in the spices, enhancing their flavors dramatically in the final dish. Transfer the bloomed spices directly to your slow cooker along with any melted butter from the pan.

Final flavor adjustment: The magic of perfect Indian butter chicken recipe happens in the last 15 minutes of cooking. After adding the cream, taste your sauce and adjust seasonings as needed. This is when you might want to add a touch more garam masala for deeper flavor, a pinch of sugar to balance any acidity from the tomatoes, or a bit more chili powder if you prefer more heat. These final adjustments can elevate your dish from good to restaurant-quality.

Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the chicken and aromatics
Start by patting the chicken thighs dry with paper towels, then cut them into 1-inch pieces. In a small bowl, mix the garam masala, curry powder, turmeric, cumin, chili powder, salt, and pepper. Sprinkle half of this spice mixture over the chicken and toss to coat evenly. This pre-seasoning step infuses your Slow Cooker Indian Butter Chicken with deeper flavor from the very beginning.

Step 2: Sauté the aromatics (optional but recommended)
For an elevated flavor profile, melt the butter in a skillet over medium heat. Add the onions and sauté until translucent, about 3-4 minutes. Add the garlic and ginger, cooking for another 30 seconds until fragrant. Add the remaining spice mixture and cook for 60 seconds, stirring constantly. This blooming process will intensify the flavors in your final dish. Transfer this mixture to your slow cooker.

Step 3: Combine ingredients in the slow cooker
Add the seasoned chicken pieces to your slow cooker. Pour in the tomato sauce and tomato paste, then stir in the lemon juice, ensuring everything is well combined. The acidity from the tomatoes and lemon will help tenderize the chicken during the slow cooking process, making your crockpot butter chicken incredibly tender.

Step 4: Set cooking time
Cover your slow cooker and set it to cook on low for 4-5 hours or on high for 2-3 hours. The chicken should be cooked through and tender enough to fall apart easily when pierced with a fork. Cooking low and slow allows the flavors to meld beautifully while keeping the chicken moist.

Step 5: Finish the dish
About 15-30 minutes before serving, stir in the heavy cream and yogurt. This timing prevents the dairy from curdling while still allowing enough time for it to heat through and incorporate into the sauce. Replace the lid and continue cooking for the remaining time. Just before serving, taste and adjust seasonings if necessary. Your luxurious Slow Cooker Indian Butter Chicken is now ready to be garnished with fresh cilantro and served over basmati rice with naan bread on the side.

Variations

Vegetarian Butter Paneer: For a meatless version of this delicious Slow Cooker Indian Butter Chicken, substitute 1 pound (450g) of firm paneer cheese, cut into cubes, for the chicken. You can also add 2 cups of mixed vegetables like cauliflower, peas, and bell peppers for extra nutrition and texture. Add the paneer during the last 30 minutes of cooking to prevent it from becoming too soft.

Dairy-Free Butter Chicken: This recipe can easily be adapted for those with dairy restrictions. Replace the butter with coconut oil or ghee (if tolerated), and substitute the heavy cream with full-fat coconut milk for that creamy texture. For the yogurt, use a coconut or almond-based yogurt alternative. These substitutions maintain the richness of traditional butter chicken slow cooker recipes while making it accessible for dairy-sensitive diners.

Spicy Butter Chicken: For heat lovers, transform this into a fiery Indian butter chicken recipe by doubling the chili powder and adding 1-2 finely chopped green chilies or 1 teaspoon of cayenne pepper to the spice mix. For an authentic touch, add 1-2 dried Kashmiri chilies to the slow cooker during cooking and remove them before serving. This variation provides a beautiful color and distinctive heat that complements the creamy sauce perfectly.

Storage and Serving

Slow Cooker Indian Butter Chicken actually improves with time as the flavors continue to develop, making it perfect for meal prep. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. For longer storage, this dish freezes beautifully for up to 3 months. Just be sure to cool it completely before transferring to freezer-safe containers, leaving some room for expansion. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and reheat gently on the stovetop or microwave, adding a splash of cream if needed to restore the silky texture.

For serving, traditional basmati rice is the classic accompaniment to butter chicken, soaking up all that delicious sauce. For a lower-carb option, serve over cauliflower rice or with a side of steamed vegetables. Warm naan bread is essential for scooping up every last bit of sauce. For a complete Indian feast, serve alongside some cooling cucumber raita, a simple side salad with lemon-cumin dressing, or other Indian sides like saag (spinach) or chana masala (chickpea curry). Don’t forget to garnish with fresh cilantro and perhaps a drizzle of cream for restaurant-style presentation.

FAQs

Can I use chicken breasts instead of thighs for this Slow Cooker Indian Butter Chicken?
Yes, you can substitute chicken breasts, but reduce the cooking time by about 30 minutes to avoid dryness. Chicken breasts have less fat than thighs, so they cook faster and can become tough if overcooked.

My sauce is too thin. How can I thicken it?
If your butter chicken sauce is too thin, you have a few options. You can remove the lid during the last 30 minutes of cooking to allow some liquid to evaporate. Alternatively, create a slurry with 1 tablespoon of cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons of cold water, then stir it into the sauce and cook for an additional 15 minutes until thickened.

Is there a way to make this recipe less spicy for children?
Absolutely! To make a kid-friendly version of Slow Cooker Indian Butter Chicken, simply reduce or omit the chili powder and add a bit more cream to mellow the spices. You can always serve adults extra chili flakes or hot sauce on the side.

Can I prep this recipe the night before and start the slow cooker in the morning?
Yes! You can prepare all ingredients and store them separately: mix the spices, cut the chicken (store refrigerated), and prepare the onion-garlic-ginger mixture. Combine everything in the slow cooker in the morning and start cooking.

How important is the yogurt in this recipe?
The yogurt adds tanginess and helps tenderize the chicken, but if you don’t have it, you can omit it and still have a delicious crockpot butter chicken. Just add an extra tablespoon of lemon juice to maintain the flavor balance.

Conclusion

This Slow Cooker Indian Butter Chicken is comfort food at its finest — a velvety, aromatic dish that brings the exotic flavors of Indian cuisine right to your family table with minimal effort. It’s the kind of dish that transforms an ordinary weeknight into a special occasion, yet is simple enough to prepare even when life gets hectic. The slow cooker does all the heavy lifting, melding the warm spices with rich, creamy textures while you’re free to focus on other things. Whether you’re new to Indian cooking or a seasoned enthusiast, this foolproof recipe delivers restaurant-quality results that will have everyone asking for seconds. Serve it over fluffy basmati rice with warm naan for a complete meal that feels both indulgent and nourishing.

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