Slow Cooker Butter Chicken


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This slow cooker version of Butter Chicken is a must-try recipe. The homemade creamy and flavorful sauce has the perfect amount of spice (without being too much) and can be paired with many things to make a delicious meal. If you love Indian food and have always wanted to make it, this is the recipe to try.

Pair this Slow Cooker Butter Chicken with my Slow Cooker Honey Butter Rolls and a side of Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Carrots.

Butter chicken cooked in a crockpot.
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What is Butter Chicken

If you are familiar with Indian food, then you probably know that a traditional butter chicken recipe will have the flavors of a spiced tomato sauce. These are typically reinvented with a variety of spices including garam masala, cumin, turmeric, and ginger.

Once you add the chicken, you’ll have a flavorful dish ready for various side options in no time. The best part about this delicious meal is the ability to throw everything in the crockpot and leave it. It’s seriously the easiest and best butter chicken you can make, and your whole family (even the kiddos) is sure to love it.

Recipe Ingredients

Ingredients for butter chicken on a table.
  • Chicken: I use boneless skinless chicken breasts that are cut into 2″ cubes. This allows the chicken to cook evenly and tenderly.
  • Chicken Broth: Not only will the chicken broth add flavor but it also helps to create the butter chicken sauce.
  • Butter: I prefer to use salted butter for a recipe like this because it adds a bit more flavor than most people think.
  • Onion: Yellow onion won’t add much spice as it will have a subtle pop in taste as well as texture.
  • Coconut Milk: Instead of using regular milk, full fat coconut milk will not only help make the creamy sauce, but it will also merge with the spices.
  • Homemade Indian Butter Chicken Sauce: A variation of warm spices like garlic, ginger, cinnamon, salt, cumin, turmeric, garam masala, and sugar. You’ll also use tomato paste, lemon juice, and chicken broth.

Step-by-Step Directions

collage of images showing how to make butter chicken in a slow cooker.

Step One – Pour the chicken stock, tomato paste, lemon juice, garlic, ginger, cinnamon, salt, cumin, turmeric, garam masala, and sugar into the slow cooker.

Step Two – Whisk the ingredients together until well combined.

Step Three – Add the cut chicken breast, yellow onion, and cut butter.

Step Four – Then, stir well to coat the chicken with the sauce. Cover and cook on HIGH for 3-4 hours or LOW for 6 hours, until the chicken is cooked through and tender.

Step Five – Stir in the coconut milk and cook for another 30 minutes.

Step Six – Once the butter chicken has finished cooking, garnish it with fresh cilantro, and enjoy!

butter chicken cubes in a slow cooker with cilantro.

How to serve

  • One of the most common ways to serve the butter chicken recipe is with jasmine rice and naan bread.
  • You can also pair it with basmati rice, cauliflower rice, or brown rice.
  • Try serving a few chicken pieces alongside roasted green beans, frozen peas (cooked of course), or a small side salad.
plate of butter chicken with rice and naan.

Recipe FAQs

How do I store leftovers?

Allow any remaining butter chicken to cool to room temperature. Then, transfer the leftovers to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 4 days. You can also freeze them in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months.

How do I reheat the leftovers?

Thaw in the refrigerator overnight and reheat in a saucepan over medium heat until heated through. You may need to add some extra liquid, such as chicken stock or coconut milk.

Can I use chicken thighs in this recipe?

Yes. Just make sure they are boneless and skinless.

Can I substitute heavy cream for coconut milk?

Yes. The coconut milk adds a layer of flavor that the heavy cream can not. If possible, use coconut milk.

How can I make this recipe a bit spicier?

In addition to the regular seasonings, you can add chili powder and serrano peppers.

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butter chicken cubes in a slow cooker with cilantro.

Slow Cooker Butter Chicken

4.60 from 5 votes
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 4 hours
Total Time: 4 hours 10 minutes
Servings: 8
Packed with warm spices, diced chicken, broth, and a few other kitchen staples – this butter chicken recipe is one the entire family is sure to enjoy. Easily pair it with your favorite rice for a complete meal.

Ingredients 
 

  • ¾ cup Chicken Stock
  • 6 oz. tomato paste
  • juice from 1 lemon
  • 4 cloves garlic, Minced or Grated
  • 2 Tbsp. fresh ginger, Grated
  • 1 tsp. cinnamon
  • 1 tsp. salt
  • 2 tsp. cumin
  • 2 tsp. turmeric
  • 2 tsp. garam masala
  • 2 tsp. brown sugar
  • 3 lbs. chicken breast, boneless, skinless cut into 2” cubes
  • ½ cup yellow onion, grated or diced finely
  • ¼ cup salted butter, cut into pieces
  • 1 cup full fat coconut milk, from a can

Instructions 

  • In a slow cooker, combine the chicken stock, tomato paste, lemon juice, garlic, ginger, cinnamon, salt, cumin, turmeric, garam masala and sugar. Whisk to combine.
  • Add the cut chicken breast and yellow onion, stir well to coat the chicken with the sauce.
  • Add the butter pieces on top of the chicken mixture.
  • Cover and cook on HIGH for 3-4 hours or LOW for 6 hours, until the chicken is cooked through and tender.
  • Stir in the coconut milk and cook for another 30 minutes.
  • Serve the butter chicken with jasmine rice and naan bread. Garnish with fresh cilantro, enjoy!

How to Video

Sarah’s Notes

  • To store: Allow to cool to room temperature, transfer leftovers to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 4 days, or freeze in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months.
  • To reheat: Thaw in the refrigerator overnight and reheat in a saucepan over medium heat until heated through. You may need to add some extra liquid such as chicken stock or coconut milk.

Nutrition

Calories: 344kcal | Carbohydrates: 9g | Protein: 39g | Fat: 17g | Saturated Fat: 10g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Trans Fat: 0.3g | Cholesterol: 125mg | Sodium: 740mg | Potassium: 984mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 561IU | Vitamin C: 8mg | Calcium: 38mg | Iron: 3mg

Nutrition info is auto-generated. This information is an estimate; if you are on a special diet, please use your own calculations.

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Recipe Rating




12 Comments

  1. Mariann S. says:

    5 stars
    Great recipe! Will double the garam masala (2 tsp to 4 tsp) to make the dish spicier. Will make again. Thank you!

  2. BETHANY TUCKER says:

    I am going to try and make this vegetarian using cauliflower and chickpeas…to be continued…

    1. Sarah Olson says:

      Sounds great, let me know how it is!

  3. Charlie Karels says:

    Can I usually use turkey breast instead of chicken breast?

    1. Sarah Olson says:

      Yes! That will work great.

  4. Kayla says:

    3 stars
    I’ve tried several recipes from this site and have loved all of them until this one. It was ok, just not as much flavor as I expected.

  5. Anonymous says:

    Very easy but lacked in flavor. Needed more salt, maybe toasting the spices before putting them in the crockpot? Not my favorite.

  6. Deeg says:

    5 stars
    This was amazing! Feeds more like 6 since you eat a bunch!!! I used boneless skinless chicken thighs.

  7. Wendy Bertagnole says:

    5 stars
    I made this for a friend who is a world traveler. When she walked in she said it smelled just like she was back in India.
    It was delicious! So tender and fabulous seasoning.

  8. Deb says:

    5 stars
    Very tasty and super easy. I used light coconut milk and still tasted great!

  9. Jeff Gaiero says:

    How many people will this feed?

    1. Sarah Olson says:

      Eight!