Description
A flavorful and creamy butter chicken made in a crockpot, perfect for a comforting meal with minimal effort. This recipe yields tender chicken in a rich, aromatic sauce that pairs beautifully with rice and naan.
Ingredients
Scale
Aromatics:
- 1 tablespoon melted coconut oil (or olive oil)
- 1 large yellow onion, finely diced (1–1/2 cups)
- 1 tablespoon ginger paste
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic
- 1–1/4 teaspoons smoked paprika
- 1–1/4 teaspoons ground cumin
- 1–1/4 teaspoons ground turmeric
- 1–1/4 teaspoons salt
- 2–1/4 teaspoons garam masala
- 1/8 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1 teaspoon sugar (optional)
- 1 can (14.5-ounce) diced tomatoes or crushed tomatoes
Chicken:
- 2 pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs
- 8 tablespoons unsalted butter, sliced
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/3 cup finely chopped cilantro (optional)
- Naan (warmed, for serving)
- Cooked rice (for serving)
Instructions
- Sauté Aromatics: Heat oil in a pan, sauté onion, garlic, and ginger until golden. Add spices, cook until fragrant, then add tomatoes. Transfer to slow cooker.
- Cook Chicken: Trim excess fat from chicken thighs, add to slow cooker, cook on high for 2.5-4 hours or low for 4-6 hours until cooked.
- Blend Sauce: Remove chicken, chop, blend sauce until smooth.
- Add Butter and Cream: Return sauce to cooker, add butter and cream, stir until smooth.
- Finish: Add chicken back to sauce, stir in cilantro, adjust seasoning. Serve hot with rice and naan.
Notes
- Garam masala can be adjusted to taste for more or less spice.
- For a spicier dish, increase the amount of red pepper flakes.
- For a richer sauce, add more butter or cream to taste.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days or frozen for up to 3 months.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 4 hours
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: Indian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 780mg
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 15g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 9g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 38g
- Cholesterol: 200mg
Keywords: Crockpot Butter Chicken, Indian Butter Chicken, Slow Cooker Chicken Recipe
