Easy Slow Cooker Butter Chicken Recipe for Busy Weeknights

If you’re a fan of rich, creamy, and aromatic dishes, Slow Cooker Butter Chicken is a recipe you need to try. This dish brings the magic of authentic Indian butter chicken into your kitchen, with the convenience of a slow cooker. The result? Tender chicken pieces swimming in a creamy, spiced sauce that’s sure to become a household favorite.

Whether you’re new to Indian cuisine or a seasoned pro, this easy-to-make recipe offers the perfect introduction to the complex flavors of Indian cooking. Plus, it’s a great option for busy weeknights when you need something flavorful and hearty, but don’t want to spend hours in the kitchen.

What Is Slow Cooker Butter Chicken?

Slow Cooker Butter Chicken, also known as Murgh Makhani, is a popular Indian dish known for its rich, creamy texture and mildly spiced sauce. The dish is typically made by marinating chicken in a blend of spices and then cooking it in a tomato-based sauce enriched with butter, cream, and yogurt. The slow cooker version of this recipe makes the process even easier, allowing the flavors to meld together beautifully over several hours.

This recipe adapts traditional butter chicken, incorporating a few healthy tweaks while retaining the authentic taste. By using a slow cooker, you allow the chicken and vegetables to absorb all the spices and flavors, creating a melt-in-your-mouth dish that’s both comforting and satisfying.

Ingredients for Slow Cooker Butter Chicken

For the best results, you’ll need the following ingredients, which come together to create that iconic creamy sauce and juicy chicken:

Protein Base: Chicken

• Chicken Breasts or Thighs: Both cuts work well in this recipe. Chicken breasts are leaner, while thighs provide a bit more richness. You can use either depending on your preference.

• Healthy Variation: If you’re looking for a lighter version, consider using chicken thighs, which have a slightly higher fat content and can make the dish more tender and flavorful.

Vegetables: The Hidden Veggies

• Cauliflower: A surprising yet healthy addition. Cauliflower adds bulk to the dish and blends seamlessly with the chicken in the creamy sauce. Plus, it absorbs the spices beautifully.

• Additional Veggies: If you prefer, you can swap cauliflower with potatoes or even add peas for extra color and nutrients.

Spices: Authentic Indian Flavors

• Garam Masala: A blend of warm spices like cinnamon, cloves, and cumin. This spice mix is a staple in Indian cuisine and forms the backbone of many dishes.

• Curry Powder: Adds depth with its mix of spices, such as turmeric, coriander, and cumin.

• Chili Powder: If you want a mild kick, add a pinch. However, the key is balancing heat with creaminess, so go easy if you’re not a fan of spice.

Creaminess: The Signature Butter Chicken Sauce

• Butter: While using butter is a hallmark of the dish, you can adjust the amount based on your preferences.

• Half-and-Half or Coconut Milk: Traditional butter chicken uses heavy cream, but we’re using half-and-half or coconut milk here for a lighter, yet still creamy, result.

• Greek Yogurt: A twist to add richness without the heavy fat. Greek yogurt not only gives the sauce a creamy consistency but also adds a bit of tanginess.

Additional Ingredients

• Tomato Sauce and Tomato Paste: These two ingredients form the foundation of the sauce. Tomato paste enhances the depth of the sauce, while tomato sauce gives it a smooth consistency.

• Garlic, Ginger, and Onion: These aromatics are essential in creating the flavor base. They add depth and warmth to the dish.

How to Make Slow Cooker Butter Chicken: Step-by-Step

Ready to dive in and start cooking? Here’s how to make your own Slow Cooker Butter Chicken in a few easy steps.

Step 1: Prepare the Ingredients

Start by prepping the chicken and vegetables. If you’re using chicken breasts, cut them into bite-sized pieces. If you prefer chicken thighs, feel free to keep them whole or cut them into chunks. Chop the cauliflower into florets and set it aside.

Next, mince your garlic, ginger, and onion. These will help create the flavor base when cooked in the slow cooker.

Step 2: Make the Flavorful Base

In a pan, heat a tablespoon of coconut oil or your preferred cooking oil. Add the diced onion and cook it until it begins to soften (about 5 minutes). Add the minced ginger and garlic, then stir in your curry powder, garam masala, chili powder, and salt. Let this cook for about 1 minute until fragrant. Stir in the tomato paste and cook for another 30 seconds.

Transfer this spiced mixture to your slow cooker. This will act as the flavor base for the chicken and cauliflower.

Step 3: Layer the Slow Cooker

Once the flavor base is in the slow cooker, layer your ingredients. Place the chicken pieces on top of the spice mixture, followed by the cauliflower florets. Pour in the tomato sauce and give everything a quick stir to combine. Don’t worry about fully mixing everything—just make sure the chicken and cauliflower are coated with the sauce.

Scatter small pieces of butter over the top to add richness.

Step 4: Slow Cook the Butter Chicken

Cover the slow cooker and set it to cook on low for 4 to 6 hours or on high for 1.5 to 2.5 hours. The chicken should reach an internal temperature of 165°F (75°C). After the chicken is cooked, you may find that the cauliflower needs a little more time to become tender. If that’s the case, leave the slow cooker on high for another 30 minutes to 1 hour.

Step 5: Add the Creaminess

Once the chicken is fully cooked and the cauliflower is tender, it’s time to add the creamy elements. First, remove the chicken from the slow cooker and cut it into bite-sized pieces. Return it to the slow cooker with the cauliflower.

Now, stir in the half-and-half or coconut milk, followed by Greek yogurt. Be sure to wait a few minutes before adding the yogurt to avoid curdling. Stir everything together, and let it cool slightly before serving.

Serving Suggestions for Slow Cooker Butter Chicken

One of the best things about this dish is how versatile it is when it comes to serving. Here are a few suggestions on how to serve your Slow Cooker Butter Chicken:

• With Rice: Serve your butter chicken over steamed rice, whether it’s white, brown, or even cauliflower rice for a low-carb alternative.

• With Naan: The perfect accompaniment to soak up the creamy sauce. You can make homemade naan or buy it from the store.

• With Quinoa: For a protein-packed option, serve it with quinoa. It pairs wonderfully with the spices in the butter chicken.

You can also sprinkle fresh cilantro over the top for added flavor and color.

Storing and Reheating Slow Cooker Butter Chicken

One of the best things about Slow Cooker Butter Chicken is how well it keeps as leftovers. This dish is just as tasty the next day, if not more, as the flavors continue to meld together.

How to Store Leftovers

After enjoying a hearty meal, make sure to store your leftovers properly to maintain their quality and freshness.

• Refrigeration: Place leftover butter chicken in an airtight container and store it in the refrigerator. It will stay fresh for up to 4 days.

• Freezing: If you want to make a larger batch and save some for later, Slow Cooker Butter Chicken freezes wonderfully. Allow it to cool completely before transferring to a freezer-safe container. It will keep in the freezer for up to 3 months.

When you’re ready to enjoy the leftovers, reheating is easy.

How to Reheat

• Microwave: Simply scoop your desired portion of butter chicken into a microwave-safe dish and heat it on medium heat for 1-2 minutes or until thoroughly warmed. Be sure to stir halfway through to ensure even heating.

• Stovetop: For more even heating, transfer your leftovers to a pot and gently reheat on low heat, stirring occasionally.

Pro Tip: If you find the sauce has thickened too much after storing, you can add a splash of water or extra coconut milk to thin it out. This will restore the creamy texture.

Making Slow Cooker Butter Chicken for a Crowd

If you’re hosting a dinner party or making a large batch for the week, this recipe scales up beautifully. The beauty of slow cooker meals is that you can increase the quantity with little extra effort.

• Doubling the Recipe: If you’re cooking for a larger group, simply double the ingredients and increase the cooking time by 30 minutes to an hour. Ensure that the slow cooker is large enough to hold the extra ingredients. It’s best to use a 6-quart slow cooker or larger.

• Serving Suggestions for a Crowd: Serve the Slow Cooker Butter Chicken with a variety of sides to keep guests happy. In addition to rice or naan, you could offer a colorful salad, a cucumber raita (yogurt and cucumber sauce), or roasted vegetables for variety.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

While Slow Cooker Butter Chicken is easy to make, there are a few common mistakes that you should avoid to ensure you get the best results every time.

1. Overcooking the Chicken: Since slow cookers work at low temperatures, it’s easy to think that the longer you cook, the better it will be. However, overcooking the chicken can lead to dry, tough meat. Always check the internal temperature and be sure to remove the chicken when it hits 165°F (75°C).

2. Not Adjusting for Slow Cooker Variances: Different slow cookers can have slight temperature variations. If you’re trying this recipe for the first time, keep an eye on the cooking time to avoid undercooking or overcooking. It’s always a good idea to check early and often.

3. Skipping the Yogurt Step: Adding yogurt at the end is what gives the dish its signature creamy tang. Don’t skip this step, or the sauce might taste flat or overly greasy.

4. Using Low-Fat Versions of Dairy Products: While you may be tempted to substitute low-fat versions of butter or half-and-half to reduce calories, the rich and creamy texture of the dish comes from the full-fat versions of these ingredients. Using reduced-fat options can compromise the flavor and texture.

Variations to Make Your Slow Cooker Butter Chicken Unique

One of the best parts of cooking is getting creative with the recipe to suit your personal preferences. Slow Cooker Butter Chicken is an adaptable dish, and you can experiment with various ingredients and flavors to suit your taste. Here are some fun and easy variations to try:

1. Slow Cooker Butter Chicken with Potatoes

If you want to make your Slow Cooker Butter Chicken even heartier, try adding potatoes. Baby potatoes work best in this variation. Simply dice them and add them alongside the cauliflower. As the dish cooks, the potatoes absorb the spices and create a creamy, comforting texture. This version is perfect if you’re feeding a larger group and want to add extra vegetables without losing the dish’s signature flavor.

2. Vegan Slow Cooker Butter Chicken

For a plant-based twist on this dish, swap out the chicken for cauliflower and chickpeas. You can still use the same spiced tomato-based sauce and add coconut milk for creaminess. Instead of Greek yogurt, opt for a non-dairy yogurt or coconut yogurt. To replace butter, use coconut oil or vegan butter. This vegan version is just as flavorful and creamy as the original, but with a lighter, plant-based touch.

3. Paleo and Whole30 Butter Chicken

Making this recipe paleo-friendly or Whole30-approved is simple. Substitute the half-and-half with coconut milk to keep it dairy-free, and use ghee (clarified butter) instead of regular butter. Ghee is rich in flavor and is a staple in many traditional Indian recipes. By following these simple swaps, you can enjoy a dairy-free, gluten-free version of this rich and creamy butter chicken without sacrificing flavor.

4. Keto-Friendly Butter Chicken

This recipe is already quite keto-friendly, thanks to the use of cauliflower instead of rice. However, if you’d like to make it even more low-carb, you can reduce the amount of tomato sauce and increase the amount of chicken or cauliflower. Pair it with a side of cauliflower rice for a full keto meal that still packs in plenty of flavor and texture.

Slow Cooker Butter Chicken Recipe

Ingredients

• 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts (or thighs)

• 1 tablespoon coconut oil (or preferred cooking oil)

• 1 small yellow onion, diced (about 1 cup)

• 1 tablespoon minced fresh ginger

• 4 cloves minced garlic (about 4 teaspoons)

• 1 ½ tablespoons curry powder

• 1 tablespoon garam masala

• 1 ½ teaspoons chili powder

• ¾ teaspoon kosher salt

• 1 (6-ounce) can no-salt-added tomato paste

• 1 small cauliflower, cut into florets (about 4 ½ cups)

• 1 (14-ounce) can tomato sauce

• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter (use coconut oil for dairy-free)

• ½ cup half-and-half or full-fat coconut milk (do not use light coconut milk)

• ½ cup plain nonfat Greek yogurt (or non-dairy yogurt for dairy-free)

Instructions

1. Prepare the Aromatics: Heat coconut oil in a pan over medium-high heat. Add diced onion and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Add ginger, garlic, curry powder, garam masala, chili powder, and salt. Cook for 1 minute until fragrant, then stir in tomato paste for another 30 seconds.

2. Layer in Slow Cooker: Transfer the spiced mixture to your slow cooker. Place chicken breasts on top, followed by cauliflower florets. Pour in tomato sauce, stirring lightly to combine. Scatter butter over the top.

3. Cook the Chicken: Cover and cook on high for 1.5 to 2.5 hours or on low for 4 to 6 hours, until the chicken reaches 165°F internally. Check early to avoid overcooking.

4. Finish the Sauce: Once the chicken is done, remove it from the slow cooker and cut it into bite-sized pieces. Stir the cauliflower into the sauce to ensure it’s well-coated, and let the cauliflower cook on high for an additional 30 minutes to 1 hour.

5. Add Creaminess: Stir in half-and-half (or coconut milk) and Greek yogurt. Allow to cool slightly before serving.

6. Serve: Serve the butter chicken over rice, quinoa, or naan, garnished with fresh cilantro.

Notes

• For a Vegan Version: Replace chicken with cauliflower and chickpeas. Use coconut milk, vegan butter, and non-dairy yogurt.

• For a Dairy-Free Option: Use coconut oil in place of butter and coconut milk instead of half-and-half.

• Adjust Spice Level: If you like more heat, increase the chili powder or add fresh chilies to the dish.

• Store Leftovers: Refrigerate for up to 4 days or freeze for up to 3 months. Reheat gently in the microwave or stovetop.

Nutritional Facts (Per Serving)

Recipe Details

• Prep Time: 10 minutes

• Cook Time: 5 hours (on low), 1.5 to 2.5 hours (on high)

• Total Time: 5 hours 10 minutes

• Method: Slow Cooker

• Cuisine: Indian

• Servings: 6 servings

• Calories: 346 kcal per serving

• Yield: 6 servings