Slow Cooker Butter Chicken
Introduction
Slow Cooker Butter Chicken is a rich, creamy, and flavorful dish that brings the essence of Indian cuisine into your kitchen with minimal effort. By combining tender chicken with a fragrant spice blend and a velvety tomato-based sauce, this recipe offers a truly comforting meal. Using the slow cooker allows the chicken to absorb all the delicious flavors while remaining tender and juicy. Serve it alongside jasmine rice and a sprinkle of fresh cilantro for an irresistible meal that will quickly become a household favorite.
Ingredients
- 3 pounds (5-6 large) boneless-skinless chicken breasts
- 1 cup (1 small) onion, diced
- 4 tbsp unsalted butter
- 1 cup tomato sauce
- 1¼ cups heavy cream, room temperature & divided
- 6 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 tbsp minced garlic
- 1 tbsp grated ginger
- 2½ tsp curry powder
- 2 tsp chili powder
- 2 tsp garam masala
- ½ tsp cumin
- ½ tsp salt
- 2 tbsp cornstarch
- 4 cups cooked jasmine rice (according to package directions)
- Fresh cilantro for garnish
Directions
1. Prepare the Spice Mix
- In a sauté pan over medium-high heat, melt the butter.
- Add the diced onions, garlic, ginger, curry powder, chili powder, garam masala, cumin, and salt.
- Sauté for 2-3 minutes until the onions are tender and the spices become fragrant.
2. Create the Sauce
- Transfer the cooked onion and spice mixture to a blender.
- Add the tomato sauce, tomato paste, and ¾ cup of heavy cream to the blender. Blend until the mixture becomes smooth and creamy.
3. Slow Cook the Chicken
- Place the chicken breasts into the slow cooker.
- Pour the blended sauce over the chicken, ensuring the chicken is fully coated with the sauce.
- Cook on high for 2 ½ to 3 hours, until the chicken is fully cooked through and tender.
4. Shred and Thicken the Chicken
- Once cooked, remove the chicken breasts and cut them into bite-sized, 1-inch pieces.
- In a small bowl, combine the remaining ½ cup of heavy cream with cornstarch to create a slurry.
- Stir the slurry into the sauce in the slow cooker to thicken it.
5. Finish and Serve
- Add the bite-sized chicken pieces back into the slow cooker and gently stir to coat them with the thickened sauce. Be cautious not to break the chicken pieces.
- Turn off the slow cooker once the chicken is well coated and the sauce has thickened.
- Serve the butter chicken by placing ¾ cup of cooked jasmine rice in a bowl, keeping most of it to one side. Spoon the butter chicken next to the rice and garnish with fresh cilantro.
Recipe Details
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 2½ to 3 hours
- Total Time: 3 hours
- Servings: 6 servings
- Calories: 480 kcal per serving
Tips for Success
- Customizing Spice Levels: If you prefer a spicier dish, feel free to increase the amount of chili powder or add a pinch of cayenne pepper. Conversely, you can reduce the spices if you prefer a milder flavor.
- Thickening the Sauce: If your sauce isn’t as thick as you’d like after adding the cornstarch slurry, you can let the sauce sit for a few more minutes in the slow cooker to thicken further.
- Make Ahead: This butter chicken can be made ahead and stored in the refrigerator for up to three days. It also freezes beautifully, making it a perfect meal prep option for busy weeks.
Final Thoughts
Slow Cooker Butter Chicken is a perfect blend of spices, cream, and tender chicken that will warm your soul with every bite. It’s an excellent recipe for family dinners, meal prepping, or any time you crave a comforting yet flavorful dish. The convenience of the slow cooker ensures that you can create an authentic Indian-inspired dish with little effort, while still impressing your family or guests with its rich and creamy flavor. Enjoy this butter chicken with fluffy jasmine rice and fresh cilantro for an unforgettable meal.
Slow Cooker Butter Chicken
- Total Time: 3 hours
- Yield: 6 1x
Description
This Slow Cooker Butter Chicken is the definition of comfort food. Juicy chicken breasts are slow-cooked in a fragrant, creamy sauce infused with the bold flavors of curry powder, garam masala, and chili powder. The rich tomato base, thickened with heavy cream and a cornstarch slurry, creates a velvety sauce that perfectly coats the chicken, resulting in a dish that’s bursting with flavor. The subtle heat from the spices is balanced by the creaminess of the sauce, making every bite indulgent yet comforting.
Ingredients
3 pounds (5-6 large) boneless-skinless chicken breasts
1 cup (1 small) onion, diced
4 tbsp unsalted butter
1 cup tomato sauce
1¼ cups heavy cream, room temperature & divided
6 tbsp tomato paste
1 tbsp minced garlic
1 tbsp grated ginger
2½ tsp curry powder
2 tsp chili powder
2 tsp garam masala
½ tsp cumin
½ tsp salt
2 tbsp cornstarch
4 cups cooked jasmine rice (according to package directions)
Fresh cilantro for garnish
Instructions
In a sauté pan over medium-high heat, melt the butter. Add the diced onions, garlic, ginger, curry powder, chili powder, garam masala, cumin, and salt. Sauté for 2-3 minutes until the onions are tender and the spices are fragrant.
Transfer the cooked onion and spice mixture to a blender. Add tomato sauce, tomato paste, and ¾ cup of heavy cream. Blend until smooth.
Place the chicken breasts in the slow cooker. Pour the blended sauce over the chicken, ensuring it’s fully covered. Cook on high for 2 ½ to 3 hours, until the chicken is fully cooked.
Once cooked, remove the chicken breasts and cut them into bite-sized, 1-inch pieces.
In a small bowl, combine the remaining ½ cup of heavy cream with cornstarch to make a slurry. Stir this slurry into the sauce in the slow cooker to thicken it.
Add the bite-sized chicken pieces back into the slow cooker. Gently stir to coat the chicken with the thickened sauce. Be careful not to break up the chicken pieces too much.
Turn off the slow cooker once the chicken is well coated and ready to serve.
To serve, place ¾ cup of cooked jasmine rice into a bowl, keeping most of it to one side. Spoon the butter chicken next to the rice and garnish with fresh cilantro.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 2½ to 3 hours
Nutrition
- Calories: 480