Slow Cooker Butter Chicken
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Skip the take-out and try this super easy, lightened-up creamy butter chicken right in the crockpot – it’s less calories and tastes a million times better!
I would always pick up two tikka masala bowls on my way home from work. But ever since I relocated out to the Bay Area, I haven’t had our Indian take-out fix in so long.
My cravings have taken over for weeks so I finally made this butter chicken right at home, and boy, am I glad I did because the homemade version is so much better, and healthier, than take-out!
If you’ve never had butter chicken, it’s a very popular Indian dish, and can be made mild or spicy to taste. I kept the recipe very mild but the heat seekers can certainly add more chili powder, to taste.
Now this is a super simple crockpot dish. There is a little bit of sauteeing but you’re pretty much throwing all the ingredients into a saucepan before throwing it into the slow cooker. Easy peasy, right?
From there, you can let that cook low and slow for 5 hours, leaving you to come home to the most fragrant, most flavorful and creamy butter chicken.
Best of all, it’s lightened up with coconut milk and whole wheat flour, saving you on a ton of calories this spring season!
Slow Cooker Butter Chicken
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 4 cloves garlic, crushed
- 1 onion, diced
- 1 (14-ounce) can light coconut milk
- 1 (6-ounce) can tomato paste
- 2 tablespoons whole wheat flour
- 2 teaspoons garam masala
- 1 teaspoon curry powder
- ½ teaspoon chili powder, or more, to taste
- ½ teaspoon ginger powder
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 3 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 2-inch pieces
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro leaves
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a large cast iron skillet over medium high heat. Add garlic and onion, and cook, stirring frequently, until onions have become translucent, about 2-3 minutes.
- Stir in coconut milk, tomato paste, flour, garam masala, curry powder, chili powder and ginger powder until well combined and slightly thickened, about 1-2 minutes; season with salt and pepper, to taste.
- Place chicken into a 6-qt slow cooker. Add sauce mixture and gently toss to combine. Cover and cook on low heat for 5 hours.
- Serve immediately, garnished with cilantro, if desired.
Did you make this recipe?
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I’m going to try this! FYI, garam masala isn’t a spice, it’s a mixture of a bunch of well-known spices. Google how to make your own. :). Also, Butter Chicken never originally had any butter in it. It was created in India by a man who just liked the name. True story!
I love Indian cuisine & this was very delicious. Thanks for sharing it! The second time I made this I tried to make it a spicy version by adding a little extra chili powder. It really wasn’t that much spicer. I used regular Mexican chili powder. What would you recommend to kick it up a bit without sacrificing the amazing flavor of your Butter Chicken?
You can try adding a little bit of crushed red pepper flakes for a kick of heat.
I just made this, and I’m in heaven! I’ve been using cream or milk in the past, but the consistency and taste were never as good as restaurants. UNTIL NOW! Who knew the secret was coconut milk! This is officially my most favorite butter chicken recipe EVER.
I also made an excess amount to use to make Paneer Makhani (Which is the vegetarian equivalent) and it worked fantastically. Thank you thank you thank you!!!!
And just heads up to my fellow ‘novice’ cooks. I would suggest mixing all your dry ingredients together before dumping into the coconut milk. I had a ton of small flower balls floating around the sauce. I couldn’t wisk hard enough to dissolve them. Rather than risk it I put the sauce into my vitamix to smooth it out before putting over the chicken in the crock pot. But that sauce is TO DIE FOR!!! Can’t wait to share it with my husband tonight.
I have all the ingredients except the ginger powder. All I have on hand is Chinese ginger powder. Would that work or should I use fresh grated ginger?
Looking forward to this over some brown rice!
If a substitution must be made, I recommend using freshly grated ginger, not Chinese ginger powder.
Thanks!
Hi, I want to try this but only have a small slow cooker, 1.5 Qt….Should I just use less chicken? don’t know if it will all fit :-/
It is hard for me to estimate if it will fit in your slow cooker – perhaps you can halve the recipe?
I love your recipes and have made quite a few of them; however, I wanted to say that it would be REALLY helpful if you would tell us how many chicken breasts instead of how many pounds. I have no idea how many breasts are in 3 lbs. Thanks. 🙂
Scarlett, the weight of each chicken Breast can vary tremendously so even though I can say 1 chicken breast, you can be using twice as much chicken breast than what the recipe calls for. It its best for me to list them in weight to be as accurate as possible. Additionally, the weight should be listed on your package of chicken for your reference.
If you’re gluten free would it be better to substitute coconut flour or almond flour for the whole wheat flour?
Alexx, unfortunately, without further recipe testing, I cannot advise on which ingredient is best to use. Please use your best judgment for this substitution.
I used an all purpose gluten free flour to be on the safe side.
Thw pics are mouth watering. I’m going to try the recipe today. Hopefully I can find the garam masala. There are several types of curry powder, which is best for this recipe?
I prefer to use McCormick curry powder.
ive made this recipe several times now, always a hit. For those who thought the sauce was bland, taste your sauce before adding it to the chicken. Season to taste. Also, I add crushed scotch bonnet pepper for a kick.
Would it be ok to use chicken thighs instead of boneless/skinless chicken breasts?
Yes, absolutely!
I used chicken thighs, and it made mine way too greasy. Hope yours came out better!
I made this recipe last night and even when I added more spice and salt, it just tasted like tomato sauce. I think 1 16oz can of tomato paste is way too much. Maybe go down to half? Or just 2 tbsp? Just a thought
Dani, did you use a 16-ounce can of tomato paste? The recipe calls for one 6-ounce can, not 16 ounces!
I would like to know what if anything can replace the coconut milk, my wife is allergic to coconut. thank you
Greg, you can try substituting milk or half and half.
Made this tonight with a side of spicy pineapple and an Indian-spiced cauliflower also found on Pinterest. WHOAH! What a great meal! Your chicken recipe has made my entire house smell amazing all day long. Recipe was very easy to put together and THE TASTE is just perfect. Thank you for sharing! It’s a keeper in our home. 🙂
Hi! Great recipe! Do you think I could use coconut flour instead of whole wheat flour? If so, do you know how much I should use that would be equivalent to the amount in your recipe?
You can certainly substitute coconut flour but I cannot speak for how much this will change the overall taste/texture of the dish. It is always best to use the ingredients listed in the recipe to obtain the best results possible.
Gotcha! And thanks so much for the quick reply! On my way to the grocery store now 🙂
Looks amazing. When you say chili powder, do you mean the Indian kind or the regular chili powder used in chili/Mexican food?
I am referring to the chili powder commonly used in Mexican cuisine.
I’m assuming cornstarch would be ok in place of wheat flour (I’m gluten intolerant)? Wonder if you’ve ever tried it that way or know anyone who has… thanks!
Unfortunately, I have never tried using cornstarch in place of wheat flour. Please use your best judgment for substitutions as I cannot speak for how much this will change the overall taste/texture of the dish.
Just made this right now and we are about to eat it. I didn’t use the slow cooker but had it boil a bit then simmer. Can’t wait to devour it!
What can I replace the whole wheat flower with to make it gluten free?
Ada, there are gluten-free flours that can be used instead.
That butter chicken looks damn delicious haha!
I made this last night and it was wonderful! Thank you so much. I’m looking forward to enjoying the leftovers!