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Slow Cooker Butter Chicken

Slow Cooker Butter Chicken

This Slow Cooker Butter Chicken is a cozy, hands off dinner made with tender chicken thighs simmered in a rich tomato sauce, warm spices, butter, and cream. Everything cooks low and slow in the crock pot, then finishes creamy and comforting with minimal prep. It’s an easy weeknight meal that feels special without extra effort.

Course Main Course
Cuisine Indian
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 6 hours
Total Time 6 hours 15 minutes
Servings 8

Ingredients

  • 2 pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs
  • 16 ounces tomato sauce
  • 5 cloves garlic minced
  • 2 tablespoons fresh ginger grated
  • 2 teaspoons garam masala
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon ground turmeric
  • ½ teaspoon fine sea salt
  • ½ teaspoon coarse ground black pepper
  • 3 tablespoons butter cut into small cubes
  • ½ cup heavy whipping cream
  • hopped fresh cilantro (for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Add the chicken thighs to the slow cooker. In a bowl, mix together the tomato sauce, garlic, ginger, garam masala, smoked paprika, cumin, turmeric, salt, and black pepper. Pour the sauce over the chicken.

  2. Scatter the butter pieces over the top. Cover and cook on low for 4 to 6 hours or on high for about 2 hours, until the chicken is fully cooked.

  3. Remove the chicken from the slow cooker and cut into bite sized pieces once cool enough to handle.

  4. Stir the heavy whipping cream into the sauce until smooth and creamy.

  5. Return the chicken to the slow cooker and stir gently to coat. Serve warm with rice or cauliflower rice and garnish with fresh cilantro if desired.

Recipe Notes

  • Stir the cream in at the end for the smoothest sauce
  • Let the chicken rest briefly before cutting
  • Great for meal prep and leftovers
  • Serve with rice, naan, or cauliflower rice
  • Flavors deepen even more the next day