How to Make the Perfect Slow Cooker Butter Chicken
Indian · Medium · 380 min · 4 servings
This rich and velvety slow cooker butter chicken features tender chicken in a luscious tomato-cream sauce that is layered with warm Indian spices. It is even more flavorful than takeout and incredibly easy to prepare with pantry staples.
Why this recipe works
This Slow Cooker Butter Chicken recipe has been crafted to deliver restaurant-quality results in your home kitchen. At just 380 minutes from start to finish, it fits perfectly into a busy schedule without sacrificing flavor. Each serving comes in at 460 calories with 36g of protein, making it a balanced choice for any meal.
What you will need
This recipe uses 6 simple ingredients that you can find at any grocery store:
- 2 lbs boneless skinless chicken breasts cut into chunks
- 1 can crushed tomatoes 14 oz
- 0.5 cup heavy cream
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 tablespoons garam masala
- 1 tablespoon fresh ginger grated
Step by step instructions
Step 1: Season the Chicken
Toss the chicken chunks with the garam masala and a generous pinch of salt and pepper making sure every piece is well coated. For best results marinate the seasoned chicken in the refrigerator for 30 minutes before cooking.
Step 2: Build the Sauce
Add the crushed tomatoes butter and grated ginger to the slow cooker and stir to combine. Add the seasoned chicken pieces and nestle them into the sauce. The chicken does not need to be fully submerged.
Step 3: Slow Cook
Cover and cook on low for 6 hours or on high for 3 hours until the chicken is completely tender and easily broken apart. The butter will melt and enrich the tomato sauce creating a beautiful deep orange color.
Step 4: Add Cream and Serve
Stir the heavy cream into the sauce during the final 15 minutes of cooking. This gives the sauce its signature silky texture. Serve over fluffy basmati rice with warm naan bread and fresh cilantro on top.
Easy substitutions
Missing an ingredient? Here are some swaps that work perfectly:
- heavy cream → full-fat coconut milk for a dairy-free version that is equally creamy
- chicken breasts → paneer cubes for a delicious vegetarian alternative
Common mistakes to avoid
Watch out for these pitfalls that can affect your results:
- Adding the cream at the beginning which causes it to curdle during the long cooking process
- Under-seasoning the chicken before adding it to the sauce which results in a bland final dish
Nutrition facts
Per serving: 460 calories, 36g protein, 16g carbs, 28g fat, 2g fiber.
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