Crockpot Butter Chicken: Tender, Slow-Cooked Delight (Print Version)

Crockpot Butter Chicken simmers to creamy perfection with minimal effort. Achieve rich, tender chicken and a flavorful sauce for a truly comforting meal.

# Recipe Info:

Prep Time: 15 Minutes minutes
Cook Time: 6 Hours minutes
Total Time: 21 minutes
Servings: 6 Servings
Difficulty: Beginner
Cuisine: Indian
Dietary: Contains Dairy, Contains Chicken

# Ingredients:

→ Main Ingredients

01 - 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into 1-inch pieces
02 - 1 (28 oz) can diced tomatoes, undrained
03 - 1 large yellow onion, finely diced
04 - 1 tbsp cooking oil (vegetable or olive)
05 - 1/2 cup water or chicken broth

→ Flavor Boosters

06 - 4 cloves garlic, minced
07 - 1 tbsp fresh ginger, grated
08 - 2 tbsp garam masala
09 - 1 tsp turmeric powder
10 - 1 tsp ground cumin
11 - 1 tsp ground coriander
12 - 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper (or to taste)
13 - Salt and black pepper to taste

→ Creamy Finishers

14 - 1/2 cup heavy cream
15 - 2 tbsp unsalted butter

→ Optional Extras & Serving

16 - Fresh cilantro, chopped (for garnish)
17 - Basmati rice, cooked (for serving)
18 - Naan bread (for serving)
19 - Pinch of sugar or honey (to balance acidity)

# Instructions:

01 - First things first, let's get that chicken ready. Dice your boneless, skinless chicken thighs into bite-sized pieces, roughly 1-inch cubes. You want them uniform so they cook evenly. I usually give them a quick pat dry with a paper towel too; it helps them absorb all those amazing flavors later. Don't worry if they're not perfectly square, mine never are!
02 - Now, grab your trusty skillet for a quick sauté. Heat a tablespoon of oil over medium heat. Toss in your finely diced onion and let it soften, about 5-7 minutes, until it's translucent and smelling sweet. This step is crucial for building flavor, don't rush it! I once got impatient and my onions were still crunchy – not a good look for butter chicken.
03 - Once the onions are soft, add your minced garlic and grated ginger. Oh, the aroma! Let them cook for just about a minute until fragrant, stirring constantly so they don't burn. Then, stir in your garam masala, turmeric, cumin, coriander, and cayenne. Cook for another minute, letting those spices bloom. The kitchen will smell incredible, trust me!
04 - Transfer that aromatic mixture from the skillet into your slow cooker. Add the diced chicken, the canned diced tomatoes (undrained, we need those juices!), and a splash of water or chicken broth. Give it a good stir to combine everything. This is where the magic really starts to happen, even if it just looks like a colorful mess right now.
05 - Cover your crockpot and set it to low for 6-8 hours, or high for 3-4 hours. Honestly, I prefer the low and slow method; it makes the chicken incredibly tender and allows all those flavors to meld beautifully. Go about your day, let the slow cooker do its thing! I usually sneak a peek and a sniff around hour 4, just because I can't resist, but try not to!
06 - Once the cooking time is up and the chicken is fall-apart tender, it's time for the grand finale! Stir in the heavy cream and butter. Let it sit for about 10-15 minutes, uncovered, for the sauce to warm through and thicken slightly. Taste and adjust seasonings – maybe a little more salt, a pinch of sugar to balance the acidity, or another dash of garam masala. This is *your* Crockpot Butter Chicken, make it sing!

# Notes:

01 - Don't skip sautéing the aromatics and spices before adding them to the crockpot. It truly deepens the flavor profile; I learned this the hard way trying to dump-and-go once!
02 - Always use full-fat heavy cream for that authentic, rich texture. Low-fat options just don't give the same lusciousness, and your sauce might separate. Trust me on this.
03 - Resist the urge to open the lid too often during slow cooking! Every time you lift it, you lose heat and add about 20-30 minutes to the cooking time. Patience is a virtue here.
04 - A tiny pinch of sugar (or even a teaspoon of honey) added at the end can really balance the acidity of the tomatoes and enhance the overall sweetness of the sauce. It's my secret weapon!

# Equipment Needed:

01 - Slow Cooker (Crockpot)
02 - Large Skillet
03 - Knife
04 - Cutting Board

# Nutrition (Per Serving):

Calories: 450
Total Fat: 30g
Total Carbohydrate: 20g
Protein: 25g

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