Lazy Day Slow Cooker Butter Chicken Recipe That Stuns

Crafting an authentic butter chicken in your slow cooker brings pure culinary magic right into your kitchen.

Aromatic spices dance through tender chicken, creating a rich North Indian classic that feels like a warm embrace.

Marinating meat overnight intensifies those incredible flavor profiles.

My grandmother taught me this technique decades ago in punjab, and her wisdom still resonates with every bite.

Creamy tomato sauce envelops each morsel, promising comfort and satisfaction.

Minimal effort yields maximum deliciousness when you follow these simple steps.

Pairing Suggestions for Slow Cooker Butter Chicken

• A light, slightly sweet Riesling cuts through the rich, creamy butter chicken, balancing its bold spices and providing a refreshing counterpoint to the heavy sauce.
• Create a homemade cucumber raita with yogurt, fresh mint, and a pinch of salt to complement the dish's warmth, offering a cooling contrast that calms the palate and enhances the butter chicken's complex flavors.
• Choose fragrant basmati rice to soak up the luxurious sauce, creating the perfect vehicle for enjoying every spoonful of this aromatic chicken dish while adding a delicate texture to each bite.

Storage Guidelines for Slow Cooker Butter Chicken

• Store leftover butter chicken in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Seal tightly and keep in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Ensure the container is clean and sealed properly to maintain freshness.
• Transfer cooled butter chicken to freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags. Remove excess air to prevent freezer burn. Label with the date and store for up to 3 months. Frozen portions stay delicious and ready for future meals.
• Place portion in a microwave-safe dish. Cover with a damp paper towel to prevent drying. Heat on medium power in 30-second intervals, stirring between each interval. Check internal temperature reaches 165°F for food safety.

FAQs

• Why use a slow cooker for butter chicken?

Slow cookers allow flavors to develop deeply, tenderize meat gradually, and require minimal active cooking time. The low, steady heat ensures chicken remains juicy and absorbs spices thoroughly.

• Can I use frozen chicken for this recipe?

Yes, but thaw chicken completely before cooking to ensure even heat distribution and prevent potential food safety risks. Frozen chicken can increase cooking time and potentially create uneven cooking.

• How do the spices impact the final taste?

Curry powder, garam masala, and chili powder create a complex flavor profile, adding warmth, depth, and subtle heat to the butter chicken. These spices blend together to produce an authentic Indian-inspired taste experience.

Slow Cooker Butter Chicken Features

• Savor Stress-Free Cooking: Minimal hands-on preparation transforms this butter chicken into a delightful meal that requires little effort, making it perfect for busy home cooks.
• Customize with Confidence: Easily adjust spice levels and ingredients to suit personal preferences or dietary needs, creating a versatile dish that adapts to your taste.
• Crowd-Pleasing Comfort: Delivers rich, authentic Indian flavors that appeal to both family members and guests, making it an ideal choice for gatherings or weeknight dinners.
• Minimal Cleanup Magic: One-pot cooking method means fewer dishes and less kitchen mess, allowing you to spend more time enjoying your delicious meal and less time scrubbing pots.

Ingredients for Slow Cooker Butter Chicken

• Chicken Breasts: Fresh chicken pieces that form the hearty base of this flavorful Indian-inspired dish.

• Salt, Pepper: Basic seasonings that enhance the natural flavor of the chicken.
• Curry Powder, Garam Masala, Chili Powder: Aromatic spice blend that provides warm, complex flavors characteristic of Indian cuisine.

• Onion, Garlic: Foundational ingredients that add depth and savory notes to the sauce.

• Tomato Puree: Provides a rich, tangy base for the sauce.
• Natural Yogurt: Adds creamy texture and helps tenderize the chicken.
• Coconut Milk: Contributes a smooth, rich consistency to the dish.
• Butter: Adds richness and creates a luxurious, velvety sauce.

• Fresh Coriander: Bright herb that adds a fresh, citrusy finish to the dish.

How to Make Slow Cooker Butter Chicken

Step 1: Prepare Chicken Pieces

Cut chicken breasts into bite-sized chunks. Sprinkle generously with salt and pepper, ensuring each piece gets an even coating of seasoning.

Step 2: Build Flavor Base

• Curry powder
• Garam masala
• Chili powder

Scatter chopped onions and minced garlic over the chicken to create a robust flavor foundation.

Step 3: Pour Creamy Liquids

• Tomato puree
• Natural yogurt
• Coconut milk

Strategically place pats of butter across the surface to create rich, velvety undertones.

Step 4: Create Smooth Blend

Gently mix all ingredients, ensuring spices and liquids coat every piece of chicken thoroughly.

This step helps distribute flavors and creates a cohesive sauce.

Step 5: Slow Cook to Perfection

Cover slow cooker and set to high heat.

Cook for four hours, allowing chicken to become incredibly tender and spices to develop deep, complex flavors.

Step 6: Plate and Garnish

Serve the butter chicken over steamed rice.

Sprinkle fresh cilantro on top for a burst of bright, herbal freshness.

Step 7: Savor and Enjoy

Dig into this comforting, restaurant-quality meal that brings the warmth of Indian cuisine straight to your kitchen.

Pro Tips for Slow Cooker Butter Chicken

• Ensure chicken pieces are cut uniformly for consistent cooking and tender results.
• Adjust spice levels by reducing or increasing chili powder to match personal heat preferences.
• Opt for boneless, skinless chicken thighs as an alternative for richer, more succulent meat texture.
• Enhance creaminess by stirring in heavy cream or cashew cream during the last 30 minutes of cooking for dairy-free options.
• Refrigerate overnight to develop deeper, more complex flavor profiles, allowing spices to fully infuse into the chicken.

Variations of Slow Cooker Butter Chicken

• Vegetarian Butter Chickpea: Replace chicken with chickpeas for a plant-based protein alternative. Adjust cooking time to 2-3 hours to prevent chickpeas from becoming mushy.
• Low-Carb Cauliflower Edition: Swap rice with cauliflower rice for a keto-friendly version. Reduce cooking liquid slightly to maintain desired consistency.
• Spicy Jalapeño Kick: Add diced fresh jalapeños or increase chili powder for a hotter flavor profile. Include red pepper flakes for extra heat intensity.
• Dairy-Free Coconut Cream Variation: Use coconut cream instead of yogurt and butter. Incorporate olive oil to maintain richness and replace dairy components completely.

Slow Cooker Butter Chicken Recipe

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4.9 from 10 reviews

• Total Time: 4 hours 20 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Creamy slow cooker butter chicken brings Indian cuisine’s rich flavors to your kitchen with minimal effort. Tender chicken simmers in aromatic spices, creating a comforting meal you’ll crave repeatedly.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 4 chicken breasts (finely chopped)
• 1/2 cup (100 g) unsalted butter
• 1 2/3 cups (400 ml) coconut milk
• 3/4 cup (200 g) natural yogurt
• 1/2 cup (100 g) tomato puree
• 1 tbsp curry powder
• 1 tbsp garam masala
• 1 tbsp chili powder
• 1 onion (finely chopped)
• 4 cloves garlic (minced)
• salt (as required)
• black pepper (as required)
• rice (cooked, for serving)
• fresh coriander (for garnishing)

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Instructions

1. Transform chicken breasts into consistent, bite-sized morsels, ensuring uniform seasoning with salt and pepper for robust flavor development.
2. Strategically arrange chicken pieces as the foundational layer inside the slow cooker, creating an even base for flavor infusion.
3. Liberally dust the chicken with an aromatic blend of curry powder, garam masala, and chili powder, distributing spices meticulously across the surface.
4. Scatter finely diced onions and minced garlic over the spiced chicken, introducing layers of complex aromatics.
5. Cascade tomato puree, natural yogurt, and coconut milk across the seasoned chicken, creating a rich, creamy liquid environment.
6. Delicately incorporate small butter portions throughout the mixture, allowing them to melt and integrate during cooking.
7. Gently fold ingredients to ensure comprehensive spice and liquid distribution, preventing ingredient segregation.
8. Seal the slow cooker and set to high temperature for 4 hours, allowing flavors to harmonize and chicken to become supremely tender.
9. Once cooking concludes, carefully transfer the butter chicken onto prepared rice, creating an inviting presentation.
10. Embellish with freshly chopped coriander, adding a vibrant, herbaceous finish that elevates the dish’s sensory experience.

Notes

• Slice chicken uniformly to guarantee consistent cooking and tender texture throughout the dish.
• Toast whole spices before adding to intensify their flavor profile and create deeper, more complex taste notes.
• Substitute dairy yogurt with coconut or almond yogurt for a vegan-friendly version that maintains rich, creamy consistency.
• Allow extra time for marinating chicken beforehand to enhance absorption of spices and develop more pronounced flavor depth.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 4 hours
• Category: Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Slow Cooking
• Cuisine: Indian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 545 kcal
• Sugar: 6 g
• Sodium: 210 mg
• Fat: 41 g
• Saturated Fat: 27 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 13 g
• Trans Fat: 0.5 g
• Carbohydrates: 10 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 38 g
• Cholesterol: 140 mg