Creamy Indian-Inspired Slow Cooker Butter Chicken

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This Slow Cooker Butter Chicken is a warm hug in a bowl—featuring tender chicken slowly simmered in a luxurious tomato-cream sauce infused with aromatic Indian spices like garam masala, curry, and cumin. The richness of butter and cream adds a comforting depth while keeping the flavors mellow and family-friendly.

Whether you’re craving something cozy on a weeknight or want to impress dinner guests with minimal effort, this dish delivers. Serve it over jasmine or basmati rice and pair it with naan to soak up every last drop of that glorious sauce. It’s a restaurant-style experience you can enjoy in your own kitchen with the help of your slow cooker.

Full recipe:

Ingredients:

3 pounds boneless-skinless chicken breasts
1 cup onion, diced
4 tbsp unsalted butter
1 cup tomato sauce
1¼ cups heavy cream, divided
6 tbsp tomato paste
1 tbsp minced garlic
1 tbsp grated ginger
2½ tsp curry powder
2 tsp chili powder
2 tsp garam masala
½ tsp cumin
½ tsp salt
2 tbsp cornstarch
4 cups cooked jasmine rice
Fresh cilantro for garnish

Directions:

Melt butter in a sauté pan over medium-high heat. Add onions, garlic, ginger, curry powder, chili powder, garam masala, cumin, and salt. Cook for 2-3 minutes until onions are tender and spices are fragrant.
In a blender, combine the sautéed mixture with tomato sauce, tomato paste, and ¾ cup heavy cream. Blend until smooth.
Place chicken breasts in the slow cooker and cover with the blended sauce.
Cook on high for 2½–3 hours.
Once cooked, remove chicken and cut into 1-inch pieces.
Mix remaining ½ cup heavy cream with cornstarch to create a slurry. Add to the sauce in the slow cooker and stir until thickened.
Return chicken pieces to the slow cooker, gently stirring to coat without breaking the pieces.
Serve with jasmine rice and garnish with chopped cilantro.

Prep Time: 15 minutes | Cooking Time: 3 hours | Total Time: 3 hours 15 minutes
Kcal: 688 kcal | Servings: 6 servings

A Delicious Journey into Slow Cooker Butter Chicken

If you’re a fan of creamy, rich, and flavorful dishes that don’t demand hours of standing over the stove, Slow Cooker Butter Chicken might just become your new go-to recipe. Known as Murgh Makhani in India, this beloved dish has made its way into homes across the globe. It combines tender, slow-cooked chicken with a luscious tomato-based sauce infused with butter, cream, and aromatic Indian spices. What sets this version apart is its use of a slow cooker, delivering deep flavor with minimal effort.

Butter chicken is often one of the first Indian dishes people try, thanks to its mild heat and velvety texture. Whether you’re feeding picky eaters or seasoned spice lovers, it’s a comforting, crowd-pleasing favorite that pairs beautifully with rice or naan. Best of all? This slow cooker adaptation allows even the busiest home cook to create a restaurant-worthy dish with ease.

The Origins of Butter Chicken

Butter chicken has a fascinating and humble beginning. It was first created in Delhi, India, in the 1950s by chefs at the legendary Moti Mahal restaurant. Leftover tandoori chicken was simmered in a buttery tomato gravy to prevent it from drying out. The result? A dish so delicious that it became a staple on menus worldwide.

The traditional recipe typically involves marinating chicken in yogurt and spices before grilling or baking it, then simmering it in a sauce made with butter, cream, and tomatoes. In this modern adaptation, we skip the grill and lean into the convenience of the slow cooker, which allows the chicken to absorb all the aromatic flavors over several hours while remaining juicy and fork-tender.

Why Use a Slow Cooker for Butter Chicken?

The magic of this recipe lies in the slow cooking process. By using a crockpot, you allow the spices and sauce ingredients to gradually meld together, creating a deep, balanced flavor profile that stovetop cooking can’t always achieve in the same timeframe.

Slow cookers are a game-changer for busy families and professionals. You can prepare the ingredients in the morning, set your slow cooker, and come home to a mouthwatering meal ready to serve. It’s the definition of “set it and forget it.”

This method also preserves the moisture in the chicken, preventing it from drying out while ensuring each bite is packed with flavor. Plus, there’s minimal cleanup involved since it all happens in one pot.

Key Ingredients That Make This Dish Shine

While the ingredient list for Slow Cooker Butter Chicken may seem long, each item plays a crucial role in building the dish’s signature flavor:

Boneless Chicken Breasts: Lean and protein-rich, these stay juicy during slow cooking.
Tomato Sauce and Tomato Paste: These form the base of the sauce and add richness and tang.
Heavy Cream and Butter: This combo gives the dish its creamy, indulgent texture.
Onions, Garlic, and Ginger: These aromatics provide the foundational flavor.
Garam Masala, Curry Powder, Chili Powder, Cumin: These Indian spices are what elevate the sauce into something extraordinary.

Together, these ingredients create a warm, comforting blend of sweet, savory, and mildly spicy notes that make butter chicken irresistible.

Health Benefits and Customization Options

At first glance, butter chicken might not seem like a “healthy” dish due to its rich and creamy profile. However, it offers a number of redeeming qualities:

High in Protein: Thanks to the chicken, one serving delivers around 54g of protein, making it a great option for muscle maintenance and satiety.
Full of Antioxidants: Spices like cumin, chili powder, and garam masala aren’t just flavorful—they’re packed with antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties.
Gluten-Free: As written, the recipe is naturally gluten-free, making it suitable for people with gluten sensitivity or celiac disease.

Want to make it even healthier? Swap out the cream for coconut milk or a plant-based cream alternative. Use cauliflower and chickpeas in place of chicken for a vegan version that doesn’t skimp on flavor.

What Makes This the Best Butter Chicken Recipe?

There are countless butter chicken recipes out there—but here’s what makes this version stand out:

Sauteed Aromatics: Unlike some slow cooker recipes where ingredients are simply dumped in, this recipe takes a crucial extra step: sautéing the onions, garlic, ginger, and spices in butter before blending. This unlocks the full flavor potential of each spice, making the sauce deeper and more aromatic.
Balanced Spice Profile: The heat level in this dish is mild, but not bland. It’s been perfectly crafted for those who enjoy flavorful food without overwhelming spice. Want more heat? A pinch of cayenne or a sliced chili can easily be added.
Creamy, Luxurious Texture: The combination of tomato paste, tomato sauce, and heavy cream results in a smooth, velvety sauce that clings to every bite of chicken. It’s rich, but not overly heavy.
Perfectly Cooked Chicken: Slow cooking means the chicken stays moist and tender, soaking in all the spicy, buttery goodness over hours. No dry chicken here!
Family Friendly and Adaptable: This recipe is a hit with kids and adults alike. It’s easy to scale up for meal prep or a dinner party, and stores beautifully for leftovers.

Tips for Success

To get the best results with your Slow Cooker Butter Chicken, keep these tips in mind:

Use Full-Fat Dairy: For maximum flavor, stick with full-fat heavy cream and real butter. Low-fat substitutes can result in a thinner, less satisfying sauce.
Don’t Skip the Blender: Pureeing the sauce after sautéing ensures it’s creamy and smooth, without chunks of onion or garlic.
Serve with the Right Sides: Butter chicken is best enjoyed with fluffy jasmine or basmati rice, and warm naan or roti to scoop up the sauce.
Garnish with Cilantro: A sprinkle of fresh cilantro at the end adds color and a fresh burst of flavor.

Perfect for Make-Ahead Meals and Leftovers

One of the best parts of this recipe is how well it stores and reheats. Butter chicken often tastes even better the next day, after the flavors have had time to deepen.

In the Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Keep the rice separate to prevent it from soaking up all the sauce.
In the Freezer: Freeze cooled butter chicken (without rice) for up to 3 months. Reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave.

It’s an ideal dish for meal prepping—simply portion into containers for easy lunches and dinners throughout the week.

Serving Suggestions to Elevate Your Meal

Looking to make a complete meal out of your butter chicken experience? Here are a few side dish ideas:

Steamed Vegetables: Lightly steamed broccoli, carrots, or green beans pair well without overpowering the dish.
Raita: This cooling yogurt-based side dish with cucumber and mint helps balance the warm spices.
Indian-Inspired Salad: Try a cucumber-tomato-onion salad with lemon and salt for a refreshing crunch.
Garlic Naan or Paratha: Bread is essential for soaking up that delicious sauce.

Don’t forget a chilled drink to complement the spices—a mango lassi, sweetened iced tea, or even a cold beer work perfectly.

Conclusion

Slow Cooker Butter Chicken is the perfect example of how traditional flavors can meet modern convenience. With its roots in Indian culinary tradition and a simplified process that suits today’s busy lifestyles, it offers the best of both worlds: flavor and ease. This dish brings restaurant-quality results into your home kitchen, all without the need for specialty equipment or hard-to-find ingredients.

Whether you’re new to Indian cuisine or a longtime fan, this slow cooker version delivers everything you love—creamy, savory sauce, aromatic spices, and perfectly tender chicken—in a way that’s foolproof and satisfying. Once you try it, you’ll find yourself returning to this recipe again and again, not just for its taste, but for the comfort and joy it brings to the table.

Let this dish be your gateway to a world of bold flavors and comforting meals. Your slow cooker just found its new signature recipe.

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