I’m always looking for ways to make my favorite dishes even easier, and this Slow Cooker Butter Chicken is the perfect solution. It’s rich, flavorful, and incredibly simple to prepare. This dish is a blend of tender chicken cooked in a creamy, spiced tomato sauce, making it a comforting meal that’s perfect for busy days or special occasions.
What I love most about this butter chicken recipe is how hands-off it is. Once you’ve added the ingredients to your slow cooker, all you need to do is let it cook and come back to a delicious, aromatic meal. It’s a great option for a cozy family dinner, or even a dinner party when you want to impress your guests with minimal effort.
Tender, Creamy, and Full of Flavor
Butter chicken, or “Murgh Makhani,” is a popular Indian dish that’s known for its creamy texture and rich flavors. In this version, we skip the stovetop sautéing and use a slow cooker to allow the chicken to become melt-in-your-mouth tender. The sauce is made with a mix of aromatic spices, tomatoes, garlic, and ginger, giving it that perfect balance of richness and spice.
The best part about this recipe is its versatility. You can serve it with rice, naan, or even steamed vegetables for a well-rounded meal. And if you want to make it a little lighter, you can adjust the amount of butter and cream to your preference.
Whether you’re new to cooking Indian food or you’re an experienced home cook, this Slow Cooker Butter Chicken is sure to be a hit in your kitchen!
Ingredients for Slow Cooker Butter Chicken
To create this creamy, flavorful butter chicken, you’ll need a mix of fresh ingredients that will simmer together to create the perfect balance of taste and texture.
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Chicken Breast or Thighs – Skinless, boneless chicken breasts or thighs work well for this recipe. I recommend thighs for a juicier result, but both cuts are great.
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Butter – The star of the dish, butter gives the sauce its rich and creamy texture. Don’t be afraid to use a generous amount!
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Heavy Cream – This adds smoothness and creaminess to the sauce. It helps balance the spices and makes the dish luxuriously rich.
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Tomatoes (Canned or Fresh) – If you’re using canned tomatoes, choose whole peeled tomatoes, as they break down nicely in the slow cooker. Fresh tomatoes can also be used if you prefer a lighter sauce.
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Garlic and Ginger – Fresh garlic and ginger provide the base flavors that make this dish aromatic and fragrant.
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Onion – A finely chopped onion adds sweetness and depth to the sauce.
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Spices – A mix of garam masala, cumin, turmeric, coriander, and chili powder give the butter chicken its signature flavor. Adjust the chili powder for your preferred level of heat.
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Salt – To season the dish and enhance the flavors.
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Lemon Juice – A squeeze of fresh lemon juice at the end brightens up the dish and balances the richness of the cream.
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Fresh Cilantro – For garnish, cilantro adds a fresh, herbaceous touch that lifts the flavors.
How to Make Slow Cooker Butter Chicken
Making butter chicken in a slow cooker is a breeze. Here’s how to prepare this mouthwatering dish:
Step 1:
Start by preparing the chicken. If you’re using chicken breasts, cut them into chunks for quicker cooking. You can also leave them whole, but chunks tend to absorb more flavor from the sauce.
Step 2:
Add the chicken to the slow cooker along with the diced onion, minced garlic, minced ginger, and spices (garam masala, cumin, turmeric, coriander, and chili powder). Stir to coat the chicken and evenly distribute the spices.
Step 3:
Pour in the crushed tomatoes, heavy cream, and a bit of butter. Give everything a good mix to combine. The sauce will thicken as it cooks, so make sure the chicken is submerged in the liquid.
Step 4:
Set the slow cooker to low and cook for 4-6 hours, or until the chicken is tender and easily shreds with a fork.
Step 5:
Once the chicken is cooked, shred it directly in the slow cooker using two forks. Stir the shredded chicken into the sauce to make sure it’s well coated.
Step 6:
Add the remaining butter and a squeeze of fresh lemon juice to finish the sauce. Stir everything together until the butter has melted, creating a velvety texture.
Step 7:
Garnish with freshly chopped cilantro and serve. Enjoy your slow cooker butter chicken with naan, rice, or your favorite sides!
How Long to Cook Butter Chicken
Cooking butter chicken in a slow cooker ensures that the flavors meld together beautifully and the chicken becomes tender and juicy. However, the cooking time can vary based on the size of the chicken pieces and your specific slow cooker. Here are some guidelines to help you determine when it’s ready:
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Small Chicken Pieces – Cook for 4-5 hours on low. The smaller pieces will cook faster and absorb the sauce’s flavors more quickly.
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Larger Chicken Pieces (Whole Breasts or Thighs) – If you prefer to keep the chicken pieces larger, it may take 5-6 hours on low for them to cook thoroughly and become tender.
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Overcooked Chicken – While the slow cooker is forgiving, you want to ensure the chicken doesn’t become too dry. It’s best to check the chicken at around 4 hours, and if it’s shredding easily with a fork, it’s done. If not, give it a bit more time, but keep an eye on it.
How to Store Leftovers
If you have any leftovers, you can store them easily and enjoy them for another meal. Here’s how to keep them fresh:
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Refrigerator – Place the leftover butter chicken in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days. Reheat it gently in the microwave or on the stove. If the sauce thickens too much, add a splash of water or cream to loosen it up.
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Freezer – Butter chicken can also be frozen for up to 3 months. Let it cool completely, then transfer it into an airtight container or freezer bag. When ready to enjoy, thaw it in the refrigerator overnight and reheat on the stove.
Tips for Perfect Butter Chicken
Here are a few tips to make sure your butter chicken turns out as delicious as possible:
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Use Bone-In Chicken – If you have the time and prefer more flavor, bone-in chicken (thighs or drumsticks) can be used in place of boneless chicken. The bones add extra richness to the sauce.
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Adjust the Spices – If you like a milder flavor, reduce the amount of chili powder and garam masala. You can also add more of these spices if you want a stronger kick.
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Cream Alternatives – If you’re looking to lighten the dish, you can substitute heavy cream with coconut milk or Greek yogurt for a slightly different flavor.
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Freshly Toasted Spices – Toasting your spices in a dry pan before adding them to the slow cooker will enhance their aroma and bring out their flavors more vividly.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Can I make this recipe with chicken breast instead of thighs?
Yes, you can use chicken breast instead of thighs in this slow cooker butter chicken recipe. While chicken thighs are typically juicier and more flavorful, chicken breasts will also work. However, make sure not to overcook them, as breasts can dry out faster. If using chicken breasts, check for tenderness around the 4-hour mark to avoid overcooking.
2. Can I make this butter chicken without a slow cooker?
Yes! If you don’t have a slow cooker, you can make this butter chicken on the stove. Simply cook the chicken, onions, garlic, and spices in a large pot, then add the tomatoes, cream, and butter. Simmer everything together on low heat for about 30-40 minutes, or until the chicken is fully cooked and tender. Shred the chicken as directed, and finish with the butter and lemon juice.
3. Can I adjust the spiciness of this dish?
Absolutely! The level of spice can easily be adjusted based on your preference. If you prefer a milder butter chicken, reduce the amount of chili powder or skip it entirely. For more heat, you can add extra chili powder or some fresh chopped chili peppers to the slow cooker. Taste the sauce before serving to make sure it’s at the level of spice you enjoy.
4. How do I make this dish dairy-free?
To make this butter chicken dairy-free, you can substitute the butter and cream with coconut oil and coconut milk. The coconut milk will provide a rich and creamy texture similar to heavy cream, while the coconut oil will replace the butter for sautéing. The result will still be a deliciously creamy, flavorful butter chicken, but with a different flavor profile due to the coconut.
Slow Cooker Butter Chicken
- Total Time: 5 hours 10 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Description
This Slow Cooker Butter Chicken is a simple yet rich dish that brings all the flavors of creamy, spiced chicken to your dinner table. Tender chicken is cooked to perfection in a slow cooker with a savory tomato-based sauce, finished off with butter and cream for that luxurious texture. It’s perfect for busy nights, cozy dinners, or even a meal to impress your guests.
Ingredients
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4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
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1/4 cup butter (divided)
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1 cup heavy cream
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1 (14 oz) can crushed tomatoes
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1 medium onion, chopped
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4 garlic cloves, minced
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1 tbsp fresh ginger, minced
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1 tbsp garam masala
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1 tsp cumin
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1/2 tsp turmeric
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1/2 tsp coriander
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1/2 tsp chili powder (adjust to taste)
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Salt, to taste
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1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
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Fresh cilantro, for garnish
Instructions
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Add the chicken to the slow cooker and season with salt, garam masala, cumin, turmeric, coriander, and chili powder. Add chopped onion, garlic, and ginger to the slow cooker as well.
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Pour in the crushed tomatoes, cream, and half of the butter. Stir to combine, ensuring the chicken is fully submerged in the sauce.
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Cover and cook on low for 4-6 hours, or until the chicken is tender and easily shreds with a fork.
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Once cooked, shred the chicken directly in the slow cooker using two forks. Stir to coat the chicken with the sauce.
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Add the remaining butter and lemon juice. Stir until the butter melts, creating a creamy, velvety sauce.
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Garnish with freshly chopped cilantro and serve with rice, naan, or your favorite side dish.
Notes
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For added texture, sprinkle some toasted almonds or cashews over the dish before serving.
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You can store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days in the refrigerator. Reheat on low heat to preserve the creamy texture.
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To make it lighter, reduce the butter or use Greek yogurt instead of cream.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 hours