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 know it is called butter chicken, but would it be possible to substitute lamb for chicken?
I’ve never tried it myself but I don’t see why it wouldn’t work! You may have to adjust cooking time as needed though.
Can I use curry paste instead of powder?
Kayla, you can certainly substitute paste but unfortunately, I cannot speak for how much this will change the taste/texture of the overall dish. It is best to use the ingredients listed in the recipe to obtain the best results possible.
I added a Tblsp of salt, 2 Tblsp of chopped Cilantro and 1/4 block of Cream Cheese … and this made all the difference.
Sounds amazing! Will definitely have to try the cream cheese addition next time.
Can I just use regular flour, have everything else, don’t want to go to the store!
Yes, all-purpose flour will work just fine.
I’ve been looking for a butter chicken recipe, thank you!! The only thing is, I don’t have a slow cooker. Do you think it’s possible to make this in a cast iron pot and let it simmer with the closed lid for about an hour? That’s what I usually do with slow cooker recipes.
I’ve never tried that myself but I don’t see why it wouldn’t work!
Hi from Australia 🙂 had this for dinner, very delicious. I used a mix of chicken thighs & breasts cos i have them in the freezer. Also prepared the sauce the night before and marinade the chicken pieces with it & dump them into the slow cooker the next day. We like our butter chicken sweet so I added some sugar and it was perfect!! Thank you!
Hi There!
Is it possible to cook this for longer on low say about 8 hours, as my slow cooker doesn’t have a timer to shut off?
Thanks,
Lisa
Lisa, you can certainly cook it for longer but I worry that the chicken will be overcooked and result in a tough texture.
Thanks for the recipe. I did it today and for some reason I did not get a juicy meat. It is tender but did not take in the flavor of the sauce. I followed the recipe and sauce is very yummy but the meat is another story :-(. I am new to slow cooking so want to understand what went wrong. I used cut chicken breast and the slow cooker that I am using is Instant Pot. Any suggestions?
Thanks
The chicken breast should not be cut or diced into very small pieces – this will leave them to be overcooked.
Chung-Ah thanks for your response. I bought a whole chicken breasts and cut them to have a smaller pieces (like on your picture). What part of the chicken are you using?
Olga, I used chicken breast cut into 2-inch pieces. You can alternatively leave them to cook in less time, adjusting as necessary, until the desired texture is reached.
Thanks,
I will try it today. I also decided to marinade them a little before cooking in olive oil and onions
Thanks for this recipe! It’s probably my favorite Indian dish. Do you know if there is a measurement difference between curry powder and paste. I prefer paste and usually have it on hand. Also, what would I substitute to make it non lightened-up? Just the flour and coconut milk?
Unfortunately, as I have never used curry paste, I can’t tell you the measurement difference. As for the non lightened up version, yes, you should substitute both the flour and coconut milk milk.
I have made 3 of your recipes this week and they have all been keepers! When I turned off the slow cooker today I wasn’t impressed with the consistency or flavor of the chicken. Went to yoga and BAM, the chicken absorbed some of the sauce and the consistency is now perfect. Thanks!
Can I substitute whole wheat flour for GF plain flour?
Yes, absolutely.
Would this be a good dish to make ahead and freeze? How would you adapt it to do that?
Unfortunately, Millie, I cannot really answer this question with certainty as I have not frozen this myself. That being said, I don’t think there is a need to change anything in the recipe to freeze it. I do recommend freezing in individual servings, thawing overnight, and heating over stovetop. Hope that helps!
Hi!
I would love to make this during the week but don’t have a programmable crock pot. What do you think would happen if I cooked it on low for 8 hours? Would the meat get too tender?
Thanks!
Yes, the meat will be a bit too tender.
Hi. I recommend cutting the chicken a bit larger if you’re cooking longer to prevent it from being too tender and to use lean white meat to hold it’s shape while cooking low and slow. Hope this helps.
My schedule also didn’t work with cooking on low for 5 hours. Instead, I cooked it on high for 2.5 and it turned out great!
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I have this recipe in the crock pot as I write this. When I was putting the sauce together, I wondered if the chili powder you use in the recipe is actually cayenne pepper powder? Or is is the traditional spice labelled “Chili Powder” that is found at the local grocery store? I have some friends from India and they told me “Chili Powder” in India is actually “Cayenne.” I used American Chili Powder, but I wondered which you recommend? Thanks.
Sue, I used chili powder, not cayenne pepper.
I made this amazing and delicious dish tonight! The husb approved with a high five! Did add a little bit of a kick by adding a dash of cayenne and red pepper flakes!
Sounds so yummy! Can I use chicken thighs?
Yes, chicken thighs would be a great substitute.
I can’t wait to try it out, looks so yummy.
But, the Bay Area (particularly Fremont) has WONDERFUL indian places!
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Heeeey. Glad you enjoyed my recipe.:) Slow cooker comfort food made healthy is really the best, isn’t it?!
Yes! Thanks so much for the great recipe. We loved it!
Hi
I love your recipe, but I have a few questions.
1. The recipe came out a bit thinner I expected, is there anything I can do to make it thicker?
2. The chicken tasted a bit dry, is there anything I could do to make it less dry?
You can add a bit of cornstarch (mixed with water) until the desired consistency is reached. You can also reduce cooking time to prevent dryness. Hope that helps!
I made this for my family last night my daughter who goes out for Indian food kept saying I am impressed you cooked this. Now I do not have to go out for this. Thanks for posting