Why Make This Recipe
Slow Cooker Butter Chicken is a delicious and easy meal that is perfect for any day of the week. It’s comforting, full of flavor, and can be made with minimal effort. Using a slow cooker lets you walk away while it cooks, making it great for busy people. Whether you’re serving it for a family dinner or entertaining friends, this dish is sure to impress.
How to Make Slow Cooker Butter Chicken
Making Slow Cooker Butter Chicken is simple and straightforward. With just a few steps, you can have a rich and creamy dish ready to enjoy.
Ingredients:
- 2 lbs chicken thighs, boneless and skinless
- 1 cup tomato sauce
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter
- 1 onion, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon ginger, grated
- 2 tablespoons garam masala
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 cup heavy cream
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh cilantro for garnish
Directions:
- In a slow cooker, place the chicken thighs.
- In a pan over medium heat, melt the butter and add onion, garlic, and ginger; sauté until soft.
- Stir in the tomato sauce, garam masala, cumin, paprika, and cinnamon.
- Pour this mixture over the chicken in the slow cooker.
- Season with salt and pepper.
- Cover and cook on low for 6 hours or high for 3 hours.
- About 30 minutes before serving, stir in the heavy cream.
- Once done, garnish with fresh cilantro and serve over rice or with naan.
How to Serve Slow Cooker Butter Chicken
Serve your Slow Cooker Butter Chicken warm, garnished with fresh cilantro. It pairs perfectly with steamed rice or warm naan bread, which helps soak up the rich sauce. You can also add a side of vegetables or a salad for a complete meal.
How to Store Slow Cooker Butter Chicken
To store leftover butter chicken, let it cool to room temperature. Transfer it to an airtight container and refrigerate it. It will keep well in the fridge for up to 3 days. You can also freeze it for longer storage, up to 3 months. Make sure to thaw it overnight in the fridge before reheating.
Tips to Make Slow Cooker Butter Chicken
- Use chicken thighs for a juicier and more flavorful dish. Breast meat can dry out in the slow cooker.
- For extra richness, you can add more butter or cream.
- Adjust the spices based on your taste. If you like it spicier, add some chili powder or fresh chilies.
- Don’t skip the fresh cilantro; it adds a lovely freshness to the dish.
Variation
You can make a vegetarian version of this dish by using chickpeas or paneer instead of chicken. Just add them to the slow cooker with the same sauce ingredients.
FAQs
Can I use chicken breast instead of thighs?
Yes, you can use chicken breasts, but thighs will give a better flavor and stay juicier.
Can I cook this on the stovetop?
Yes, you can cook the butter chicken on the stovetop, but the cooking time will be shorter. Simmer on low heat for about 30-40 minutes until the chicken is cooked through.
How do I make it dairy-free?
You can replace the butter with coconut oil and the heavy cream with coconut milk for a dairy-free version.
Slow Cooker Butter Chicken
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 2 lbs chicken thighs, boneless and skinless Use for a juicier and more flavorful dish.
- 1 cup tomato sauce
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter Can add more for extra richness.
- 1 onion, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon ginger, grated
- 2 tablespoons garam masala Adjust based on taste.
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 cup heavy cream Stir in 30 minutes before serving.
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh cilantro for garnish Adds freshness to the dish.
Instructions
Preparation
- In a slow cooker, place the chicken thighs.
- In a pan over medium heat, melt the butter and add onion, garlic, and ginger; sauté until soft.
- Stir in the tomato sauce, garam masala, cumin, paprika, and cinnamon.
- Pour this mixture over the chicken in the slow cooker.
- Season with salt and pepper.
Cooking
- Cover and cook on low for 6 hours or high for 3 hours.
- About 30 minutes before serving, stir in the heavy cream.
- Once done, garnish with fresh cilantro and serve over rice or with naan.