Slow Cooker Butter Chicken

Slow Cooker Butter Chicken is a beautifully rich and flavorful dish that’s perfect for a comforting meal. With tender chicken thighs simmered in a creamy, spiced tomato sauce, this recipe offers a delicious twist on a classic Indian favorite.

Using your slow cooker, you can effortlessly create a meal that’s both satisfying and easy to prepare. Serve it with basmati rice and naan for an authentic dining experience, and enjoy the wonderful blend of spices that makes this dish truly special.

Ingredients & What You’ll Need

• Garlic: You’ll want your garlic minced – it’s essential for that aromatic base we’re building!
• Fresh Ginger: Grated ginger really adds a zing and depth to the sauce, so get that ready.
• Tomato Sauce: This is the backbone of our creamy, spiced sauce.
• Ground Cumin: One of the key spices for that authentic Indian flavor.
• Garam Masala: A warming blend of spices that truly defines Butter Chicken.
• Smoked Paprika: Adds a lovely smoky depth and a beautiful reddish hue.
• Ground Turmeric: For color and a unique earthy note.
• Chili Powder: To give it just the right amount of gentle heat.
• Salt: To season our dish perfectly.
• Granulated Sugar or Honey: Either works wonderfully here to balance out the flavors in the sauce.
• Chicken Thighs: These are amazing for slow cooking as they become incredibly tender and soak up all that delicious sauce. After cooking, you’ll cut them into bite-sized pieces.
• Unsalted Butter: This is crucial! You’ll scatter small cubes over the chicken before cooking – it melts beautifully and enhances the overall richness and flavor of the dish.
• Heavy Whipping Cream: The secret to that luscious, creamy texture we all love in Butter Chicken.
• Fresh Parsley, Mint, or Cilantro: Choose your favorite! These are for garnishing at the very end, adding a lovely burst of freshness and color to your plate.

Instructions

Now for the fun part – letting your slow cooker do all the magic! Follow these simple steps, and you’ll be enjoying a homemade butter chicken feast in no time.

Build Your Flavor Base: Start by adding all your aromatic and spice powerhouses into your slow cooker. That’s the minced garlic, grated ginger, tomato sauce, ground cumin, garam masala, smoked paprika, ground turmeric, chili powder, salt, and your choice of sugar or honey. Give everything a really good stir until it’s all beautifully combined. This creates the delicious sauce base that all our chicken will cook in.

Add the Chicken & Butter: Gently place your chicken thighs into the slow cooker, making sure each piece is well coated with that amazing sauce. Now for a little secret ingredient for extra richness: scatter small cubes of unsalted butter right over the top of the chicken. As it cooks, this butter will melt and truly enhance the flavor of the dish.

Slow Cook to Perfection: Pop the lid on your slow cooker! You can choose to cook this on HIGH for about 1.5 to 2 hours, or if you’ve got more time, set it on LOW for 4 to 6 hours. The chicken is perfectly done when it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F. Once it’s cooked through, carefully remove the chicken from the slow cooker and place it on a cutting board to cool down just a bit.

Creamy Finishing Touch: While the chicken cools, stir the heavy cream into the sauce that’s still in the slow cooker. Whisk it gently until the sauce becomes wonderfully creamy and all the ingredients are perfectly combined.

Combine & Serve: Cut your slightly cooled chicken into lovely bite-sized pieces and return them to the rich, creamy sauce in the slow cooker. Give it another gentle stir to make sure all that tender chicken is evenly coated. Now, it’s time to serve up!

This Slow Cooker Butter Chicken is absolutely divine served with fluffy basmati rice and warm naan bread. Don’t forget to garnish with a sprinkle of fresh parsley, mint, or cilantro for that added burst of freshness and color.

Enjoy the rich, creamy flavors of this comforting dish with your loved ones!

Recipe Tips

Butter for Richness: Don’t skip scattering those small cubes of unsalted butter over the chicken before cooking! It melts into the sauce, adding a wonderful depth and richness that makes this dish truly special.

Check for Doneness: For perfectly cooked and safe chicken, remember it’s done when it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F. A quick check with a meat thermometer ensures tenderness every time.

The Perfect Companions: For an authentic and complete dining experience, serve your butter chicken with basmati rice and naan bread. They’re the ideal way to soak up all that incredible sauce!

Freshness Factor: A sprinkle of fresh parsley, mint, or cilantro right before serving isn’t just for looks! It adds a beautiful touch of freshness and vibrant color that brightens up the whole dish.

Conclusion

There you have it! Slow Cooker Butter Chicken truly is a rich and creamy dish that effortlessly brings the authentic, comforting flavors of Indian cuisine right to your table.

The beautiful combination of tender chicken thighs and that perfectly spiced tomato sauce creates a satisfying meal that’s just perfect for any occasion, whether it’s a busy weeknight or a relaxed weekend dinner.

Serve it with basmati rice and naan for a complete and utterly delightful dining experience, and truly enjoy the wonderful taste and aroma of this comforting dish. Happy cooking, and enjoy every single bite!