Slow Cooker Chicken Tikka Masala

If you’re a fan of Indian cuisine, you’ll love this slow cooker chicken tikka masala recipe. It’s perfect for busy days when you want a flavorful, homemade meal without spending hours in the kitchen. This dish combines tender chicken thighs with a rich, creamy sauce that’s packed with spices. Serve it with rice or naan for a complete and satisfying meal. Let’s dive into the recipe!

Ingredients

• 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into 1-inch pieces
• 1/2 cup whole-milk plain yogurt (not Greek)
• 1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt, divided
• 1 large yellow onion, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon peeled and minced fresh ginger
• 2 teaspoons ground coriander
• 2 teaspoons garam masala
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon ground turmeric
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 1 (15-ounce) can diced tomatoes, drained
• 3/4 cup heavy cream or coconut milk
• Chopped fresh cilantro for garnish
• Cooked rice or naan for serving

Directions

Step 1: Prep the Chicken

1. Place the chicken, yogurt, and 1 teaspoon of the salt in a 4-quart or larger slow cooker. Stir to combine and ensure the chicken is well-coated with the yogurt and salt mixture.

Step 2: Sauté the Aromatics

2. Heat the oil in a large frying pan over medium heat until shimmering.
3. Add the diced onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until tender, about 8 minutes.
4. Add the minced garlic, ginger, ground coriander, garam masala, cumin, and turmeric. Cook until fragrant, about 1 minute.

Step 3: Build the Sauce

5. Add the tomato paste to the pan and cook until it darkens in color, about 1 minute.
6. Add the drained diced tomatoes and the remaining 1/2 teaspoon of salt. Bring the mixture to a simmer, scraping up the browned bits from the bottom of the pan.

Step 4: Slow Cook the Chicken

7. Transfer the contents of the frying pan to the slow cooker. Stir to combine with the chicken.
8. Cover and cook on the HIGH setting for 4 hours or the LOW setting for 8 hours.

Step 5: Finish the Dish

9. Stir in the heavy cream or coconut milk. For a thicker sauce, leave the slow cooker uncovered and cook on the HIGH setting for an additional 30 minutes.
10. Taste and season with salt as needed.

Step 6: Serve

11. Serve the chicken tikka masala garnished with chopped fresh cilantro. Pair it with cooked rice or warm naan for a complete meal.

Nutrition Information

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cooking Time: 4 hours
• Total Time: 4 hours 20 minutes
• Calories: 420 kcal per serving
• Servings: 6

Conclusion

This slow cooker chicken tikka masala is a great way to enjoy a classic Indian dish with minimal effort. The slow cooker does all the hard work, leaving you with tender chicken and a rich, flavorful sauce. Whether you’re cooking for a family dinner or meal prepping for the week, this recipe is sure to become a favorite. Enjoy!