The Perfect Slow Cooker Butter Chicken Recipe for Busy Nights

Slow cooker butter chicken crafts ordinary ingredients into an extraordinary culinary experience that transports your senses to vibrant kitchens across india.

Warm, aromatic spices dance through a luscious sauce, creating a magical meal with remarkable simplicity.

Your kitchen will soon fill with an irresistible fragrance that promises pure comfort and satisfaction.

Each bite promises a harmonious blend of tender meat and velvety sauce that melts effortlessly on your palate.

Indian-inspired seasonings infuse every morsel with complex, multilayered flavors that elevate home cooking to restaurant-quality magic.

The gentle, slow-cooking process ensures maximum tenderness while concentrating each ingredient’s essential character and essence.

Minimal preparation meets maximum deliciousness in this foolproof recipe that guarantees culinary success.

Pro Tips for the Best Slow Cooker Butter Chicken

• Spice Balance Mastery: Adjust spice levels by gradually adding garam masala and chili powder to match your heat preference without overwhelming the dish.
• Meat Selection Secret: Choose bone-in chicken thighs for deeper flavor and more tender meat that falls apart effortlessly during cooking.
• Cream Incorporation Technique: Temper the heavy cream by adding a small amount of hot sauce slowly to prevent curdling and ensure a silky smooth texture.
• Butter Enhancement Trick: Use high-quality unsalted butter for a richer, more complex flavor profile that elevates the entire dish.
• Herb Freshness Boost: Chop fresh cilantro or mint right before serving to add a bright, aromatic finish that cuts through the rich, creamy sauce.

How to Save Leftovers from Slow Cooker Butter Chicken

• Refrigeration Method: Transfer leftover butter chicken to an airtight container within two hours of cooking. Seal tightly and store in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Keep the chicken and sauce together to maintain maximum flavor and moisture.
• Freezing Method: Portion the butter chicken into freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags. Remove excess air to prevent freezer burn. Freeze for up to 3 months. Label containers with the date to track freshness.
• Reheating Method: Warm refrigerated butter chicken in a microwave or stovetop. For microwave, place in a microwave-safe dish, cover with a damp paper towel, and heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each interval.

Delicious Sides to Serve with Butter Chicken

• Pair with Creamy Coconut Lassi: Blend cool, tangy yogurt with coconut milk to balance the rich, spicy butter chicken. Its smooth texture and subtle sweetness complement the dish's intense flavors perfectly.
• Match with Crisp Cucumber Salad: Prepare a refreshing side of diced cucumbers, red onions, and mint dressed in light lemon vinaigrette. This cool, zesty salad cuts through the chicken's warmth and adds a vibrant contrast.
• Select Aromatic Basmati Rice: Choose fragrant basmati rice with a hint of cardamom to soak up the luxurious sauce. Its delicate flavor enhances the butter chicken's complex spice profile without overwhelming the main dish.
• Pour Masala Chai Tea: Brew a strong, spiced chai with cardamom, cinnamon, and ginger. This traditional Indian beverage mirrors the recipe's warm spices and provides a comforting finish to the meal.

Butter Chicken Recipe Variations You Can Try Tonight

• Spicy Tandoori Remix: Replace chicken thighs with drumsticks and add extra chili flakes for a bolder heat level. Marinate chicken in yogurt beforehand to enhance the tandoori-style flavor profile.
• Vegetarian Chickpea Version: Swap chicken with firm chickpeas and plant-based butter alternative. Add extra vegetables like cauliflower and spinach for more nutritional depth and texture.
• Coconut Fusion Style: Substitute heavy cream with coconut milk for a tropical undertone. Include fresh lemongrass and a splash of coconut cream to elevate the sauce's complexity and create a Southeast Asian-inspired dish.
• Quick Pressure Cooker Edition: Transform the slow cooker method into a pressure cooker recipe by reducing liquid and cooking time. Use instant pot settings to achieve similar tender chicken and rich sauce in under 30 minutes.

Why Slow Cooker Butter Chicken Always Hits the Spot

• Effortless Flavor Explosion: Slow cooker method allows spices to meld beautifully, creating deep, complex flavors without constant monitoring or complicated cooking techniques.
• Protein-Packed Comfort: Loaded with high-quality chicken thighs, this dish delivers a whopping 37g of protein, making it perfect for muscle-building and satisfying hunger with minimal effort.
• Creamy Texture Magic: The addition of heavy whipping cream transforms the sauce into a luxuriously smooth, velvety experience that coats each chicken piece with rich, indulgent goodness.
• Minimal Prep, Maximum Taste: With just a few minutes of mixing ingredients and letting the slow cooker work its magic, you get restaurant-quality butter chicken that seems like it took hours to prepare.

What You’ll Need for Slow Cooker Butter Chicken

• Chicken Thighs: Tender meat that absorbs the rich, aromatic spices and provides the protein base for the dish. Dark meat works best for slow cooking as it stays moist and flavorful.
• Tomato Sauce: Creates the foundational base for the sauce, adding depth and tanginess to the butter chicken.
• Garam Masala, Cumin, Smoked Paprika, Turmeric, Chili Powder: Essential spice blend that gives authentic Indian flavor profile with warm, complex notes.
• Garlic, Ginger: Aromatic ingredients that provide a robust, sharp flavor base and traditional Indian cooking essence.
• Salt, Sugar: Balance and enhance the overall flavor of the dish, creating depth and preventing blandness.
• Butter, Heavy Whipping Cream: Add rich, luxurious texture and smooth, velvety finish to the sauce. Butter provides extra richness and depth.

How to Make Rich, Creamy Butter Chicken in a Slow Cooker

Step 1: Prepare the Flavor Base

• Cumin
• Garam masala
• Smoked paprika
• Turmeric
• Chili powder
• Salt
• Sugar

Blend all ingredients thoroughly until a smooth sauce forms.

Step 2: Add Chicken

Place chicken thighs into the spice mixture, ensuring they are completely covered. Scatter butter cubes on top to create extra richness.

Step 3: Slow Cook the Chicken

• High setting: 1.5-2 hours
• Low setting: 4-6 hours

Cook until chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.

Step 4: Shred the Chicken

Remove chicken from slow cooker and let it cool slightly. Cut or shred into bite-sized pieces.

Step 5: Create Creamy Sauce

Whisk heavy whipping cream into the remaining sauce until smooth and creamy.

Step 6: Combine Chicken and Sauce

Gently return shredded chicken to the creamy sauce, stirring to coat each piece evenly.

Step 7: Serve and Garnish

Plate the butter chicken over rice and naan bread. Sprinkle with fresh herbs like cilantro or parsley for a vibrant finish.

Slow Cooker Butter Chicken Recipe

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4.7 from 23 reviews

• Total Time: 6 hours 10 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Butter chicken brings aromatic Indian spices dancing through tender chicken pieces bathed in a silky, creamy tomato sauce. Simmered gently in a slow cooker, this classic dish promises comfort and rich flavor you’ll savor with each delightful bite.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Proteins:

• 2 lbs (907 grams) chicken thighs

Spices and Seasonings:

• 1 teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon granulated sugar (or honey)
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 2 teaspoons garam masala
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1 teaspoon ground turmeric
• ½ teaspoon chili powder

Base and Liquid Ingredients:

• 16 ounces (454 grams) tomato sauce (or passata)
• 5 cloves garlic (minced)
• 2 tablespoons fresh ginger (grated)
• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter (cut into small cubes)
• ½ cup (120 milliliters) heavy whipping cream

Garnish:

• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, mint, or cilantro (for garnish)

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Instructions

1. In a slow cooker, thoroughly combine minced garlic, grated ginger, tomato sauce, ground cumin, garam masala, smoked paprika, ground turmeric, chili powder, kosher salt, and granulated sugar, ensuring all spices are evenly distributed.
2. Carefully nestle chicken thighs into the spice mixture, making certain they are completely submerged in the aromatic sauce. Strategically place small cubes of unsalted butter across the top to enhance flavor and richness.
3. Secure the slow cooker lid and cook on HIGH setting for 1.5–2 hours (90-120 minutes) or LOW setting for 4–6 hours (240-360 minutes), until chicken reaches a safe internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
4. Carefully remove chicken from the slow cooker and let it rest for a few minutes. Gently shred or cut the chicken into bite-sized pieces using two forks.
5. Pour heavy whipping cream into the remaining sauce, whisking continuously to create a smooth, velvety texture that incorporates all the deep, complex spices.
6. Return the chicken pieces to the creamy sauce, gently stirring to ensure each morsel is lavishly coated with the rich, spiced liquid.
7. Plate the butter chicken over steamed basmati rice, garnish with freshly chopped cilantro, and serve alongside warm naan bread for an authentic and satisfying meal.

Notes

• Spice fusion transforms ordinary chicken into a mouthwatering Indian-inspired dish bursting with complex flavors.
• Slow cooking method guarantees tender, juicy meat that effortlessly absorbs aromatic spices and creamy sauce.
• Minimal prep work means anyone can create restaurant-quality butter chicken with just a few simple ingredients.
• Customize heat levels by adjusting chili powder or adding extra spices to match your personal taste preferences.
• Leftovers taste even better the next day as spices continue to develop and meld together during refrigeration.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 6 hours
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Slow Cooking
• Cuisine: Indian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 511 kcal
• Sugar: 2g
• Sodium: 678mg
• Fat: 34g
• Saturated Fat: 18g
• Unsaturated Fat: 12g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 14g
• Fiber: 1g
• Protein: 37g
• Cholesterol: 186mg