Description
This Crockpot Butter Chicken recipe is a delicious and creamy Indian-inspired dish that is perfect for a cozy night in. Tender chicken thighs are cooked in a flavorful tomato-based sauce with a blend of aromatic spices and finished with butter and cream. Serve this comforting dish with rice and naan for a satisfying meal.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Sauce:
- 1 tablespoon melted coconut oil (or olive oil)
- 1 large yellow onion, finely diced (about 1–1/2 cups)
- 1 tablespoon ginger paste
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic
- 1–1/4 teaspoons smoked paprika
- 1–1/4 teaspoons ground cumin
- 1–1/4 teaspoons ground turmeric
- 1–1/4 teaspoons salt
- 2–1/4 teaspoons garam masala
- 1/8 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1 teaspoon sugar (optional)
- 1 (14.5-ounce) can diced tomatoes or crushed tomatoes
For the Chicken:
- 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs
- 8 tablespoons unsalted butter, sliced
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/3 cup finely chopped cilantro (optional)
- Naan, warmed (for serving)
- Cooked rice (for serving)
Instructions
- Sauté Aromatics: Heat a large nonstick pan over medium-high heat. Sauté onion, garlic, and ginger until golden. Add spices and cook until fragrant. Stir in tomatoes and transfer to the slow cooker.
- Cook Chicken: Trim excess fat from chicken thighs. Add chicken to the slow cooker and cook on high for 2-1/2–4 hours or low for 4–6 hours.
- Blend Sauce: Remove chicken, chop it, then blend the sauce until smooth.
- Add Butter and Cream: Return sauce to the slow cooker, add butter and cream, and stir until smooth.
- Finish: Add chopped chicken back into the sauce. Stir in cilantro and adjust seasoning. Serve hot with rice and naan.
Notes
- You can find ginger paste in the international aisle of most grocery stores.
- Garam masala is a blend of ground spices commonly used in Indian cuisine.
- For a spicy kick, add the red pepper flakes.
- Warm naan in the oven or on a stovetop for a few seconds on each side.
- An immersion blender is ideal for blending the sauce directly in the slow cooker.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 4 hours
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Crockpot
- Cuisine: Indian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 430
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 780mg
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 15g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 8g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 36g
- Cholesterol: 195mg
Keywords: Crockpot Butter Chicken, Indian Butter Chicken, Slow Cooker Chicken Recipe
