Slow Cooker Butter Chicken Simple and Flavorful Dish

December 22, 2025June 10, 2025 by Charlotte

Do you crave a dish that combines warmth and rich flavor? Slow Cooker Butter Chicken is your answer! This simple yet tasty recipe brings together tender chicken, creamy sauce, and aromatic spices while freeing up your time. With just a few easy steps, you can enjoy a comforting meal perfect for any day. Let’s dive into how you can make this delight right in your own kitchen!

Why I Love This Recipe

Rich and Creamy Flavor: The combination of butter and coconut milk creates a luxurious sauce that is incredibly satisfying.
Easy Preparation: This slow cooker recipe requires minimal hands-on time, making it perfect for busy weeknights.
Customizable Spice Level: You can easily adjust the chili powder to suit your heat preference, making it family-friendly.
Delicious Leftovers: This butter chicken tastes even better the next day, making it ideal for meal prep!

Ingredients

Main Ingredients

– 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs

– 1 large onion

– 4 cloves garlic

– 1 tablespoon fresh ginger

Spices and Sauces

– 4 tablespoons unsalted butter

– 2 tablespoons garam masala

– 1 teaspoon turmeric powder

– 1 teaspoon cumin powder

– 1 teaspoon paprika

– 1 teaspoon chili powder

Additional Ingredients

– 1 can crushed tomatoes

– 1 cup coconut milk

– Fresh cilantro for garnish

– Cooked basmati rice or naan for serving

When making slow cooker butter chicken, I always start with high-quality chicken thighs. They stay tender and juicy after long cooking. You can use chicken breast, but it may become dry. I like to chop a large onion, mince four cloves of garlic, and grate a tablespoon of fresh ginger. These ingredients create a great base for flavor.

Next, I add the spices. Four tablespoons of unsalted butter give a rich taste. I mix in two tablespoons of garam masala for warmth and depth. One teaspoon each of turmeric, cumin, paprika, and chili powder adds layers of flavor. You can adjust the chili powder for extra kick.

The sauce comes together with one can of crushed tomatoes and one cup of coconut milk. These ingredients make the dish creamy and rich. Finally, I garnish with fresh cilantro and serve with cooked basmati rice or naan. This dish is simple yet packed with flavor, making it a perfect choice for any occasion.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Preparing the Chicken

1. Start by chopping the onion, garlic, and ginger.

2. Cut the chicken thighs into bite-sized pieces.

Chopping the onion, garlic, and ginger gives the dish a great base. These three ingredients add lots of flavor. I like to use fresh ginger for the best taste. Make sure your knife is sharp for easy chopping.

Mixing the Sauce

1. In a bowl, whisk together the crushed tomatoes, coconut milk, and spices.

2. Incorporate the butter into the sauce mixture.

Whisking together the crushed tomatoes and coconut milk creates a smooth sauce. Adding spices like garam masala, turmeric, and cumin makes it rich. The butter adds creaminess and depth to the flavor. Don’t rush this step; a well-mixed sauce is key!

Cooking in the Slow Cooker

1. Layer the onion mixture and chicken in the slow cooker.

2. Pour the prepared sauce over the chicken.

3. Set the cooking time and temperature.

Layering the onion and chicken first helps to infuse flavor. Pour the sauce gently to cover all the chicken pieces. Set your slow cooker to low for 6-8 hours or high for 3-4 hours. The slow cooking makes the chicken tender and delicious.

Tips & Tricks

Perfecting Flavor

To make your butter chicken shine, adjust the spice levels with chili powder. If you like it mild, use less. For a spicy kick, add more. This dish grows in flavor as it cooks. Allow the spices and sauce to meld during slow cooking for the best taste.

Serving Suggestions

Serve your butter chicken over fluffy basmati rice or with warm naan. Both options soak up the delicious sauce well. Add a garnish of fresh cilantro right before serving. This adds a nice pop of color and a fresh taste.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

One common mistake is overcrowding the slow cooker. This can lead to uneven cooking. Make sure there is enough space for the chicken to cook properly. Another mistake is not seasoning adequately. Always taste and adjust the seasoning before serving. A little salt can make a big difference.

Pro Tips

Use Bone-In Thighs for More Flavor: If you prefer a richer taste, consider using bone-in chicken thighs instead of boneless. They will add depth to the sauce during cooking.
Adjust Spice Levels: To customize the heat level, start with less chili powder and taste the sauce before serving. You can always add more to suit your preference.
Let it Simmer Longer: For even more tender chicken and infused flavors, let the dish simmer on low for the full 8 hours if your schedule allows.
Fresh Herbs Make a Difference: Garnishing with fresh cilantro not only adds a pop of color but also brightens the dish. Don’t skip this step!

Variations

Ingredient Substitutions

You can easily swap chicken thighs for chicken breast. Chicken breast is leaner but still tasty. If you prefer a different base, use yogurt instead of coconut milk. Yogurt adds creaminess and a tangy touch.

Flavor Enhancements

To make the dish even better, add veggies like peas or bell peppers. They add color and nutrition. You can also try different herbs like cilantro or mint. Each herb brings a new twist to the flavor.

Cooking Methods

If you want a faster option, use an Instant Pot. Cook the butter chicken in about 30 minutes. For a traditional method, try the stovetop. It gives you a chance to watch the sauce bubble and thicken. Each method offers a unique taste and texture.

Storage Info

Refrigeration

Store leftovers in an airtight container. Keep them in the fridge for up to four days. This will help keep the flavors fresh and safe to eat.

Freezing

For freezing butter chicken, let it cool first. Then, pack it in a freezer-safe container or bag. Remove as much air as possible. It can last for up to three months in the freezer. To thaw, place it in the fridge overnight. You can also use the microwave for quick thawing. Just set it on defrost mode.

Reheating

To reheat butter chicken, use the microwave or stovetop. If using the microwave, heat it in short bursts. Stir between each burst for even heating. On the stovetop, warm it over low heat. Stir often to prevent sticking. Add a splash of water or coconut milk if it seems thick.

FAQs

What is butter chicken?

Butter chicken is a rich and creamy dish from India. It dates back to the 1960s. The dish combines tender chicken in a spiced tomato sauce. You will find a mix of flavors like garlic, ginger, and garam masala in it. The key ingredients include:

– Chicken thighs

– Onion

– Garlic

– Fresh ginger

– Crushed tomatoes

– Coconut milk

– Butter

– Garam masala

– Turmeric

– Cumin

– Paprika

– Chili powder

– Salt

Butter chicken is known for its bold taste and smooth texture. It is often served with rice or naan.

Can I make slow cooker butter chicken ahead of time?

Yes, you can make slow cooker butter chicken ahead of time. This dish holds well in the fridge. Cook it in the slow cooker and let it cool. Once cooled, store it in an airtight container. It will stay fresh for up to three days. You can also freeze it for longer storage. Just thaw it in the fridge overnight before reheating.

What can I serve with butter chicken?

Butter chicken pairs well with many side dishes. Here are some great options:

– Basmati rice

– Naan bread

– Roti

– Cucumber salad

– Steamed vegetables

These sides complement the rich flavors of butter chicken. They make your meal complete and satisfying.

This article outlined how to make delicious slow cooker butter chicken. We covered key ingredients, step-by-step cooking instructions, and helpful tips. You also learned about variations and storage methods.

With these steps, you can enjoy a flavorful meal that warms your heart. Take your time, experiment with flavors, and be sure to have fun in the kitchen. Now, you’re ready to create a dish that impresses everyon

$- 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs - 1 large onion - 4 cloves garlic - 1 tablespoon fresh ginger - 4 tablespoons unsalted butter - 2 tablespoons garam masala - 1 teaspoon turmeric powder - 1 teaspoon cumin powder - 1 teaspoon paprika - 1 teaspoon chili powder - 1 can crushed tomatoes - 1 cup coconut milk - Fresh cilantro for garnish - Cooked basmati rice or naan for serving When making slow cooker butter chicken, I always start with high-quality chicken thighs. They stay tender and juicy after long cooking. You can use chicken breast, but it may become dry. I like to chop a large onion, mince four cloves of garlic, and grate a tablespoon of fresh ginger. These ingredients create a great base for flavor. Next, I add the spices. Four tablespoons of unsalted butter give a rich taste. I mix in two tablespoons of garam masala for warmth and depth. One teaspoon each of turmeric, cumin, paprika, and chili powder adds layers of flavor. You can adjust the chili powder for extra kick. The sauce comes together with one can of crushed tomatoes and one cup of coconut milk. These ingredients make the dish creamy and rich. Finally, I garnish with fresh cilantro and serve with cooked basmati rice or naan. This dish is simple yet packed with flavor, making it a perfect choice for any occasion. {{ingredient_image_1}} 1. Start by chopping the onion, garlic, and ginger. 2. Cut the chicken thighs into bite-sized pieces. Chopping the onion, garlic, and ginger gives the dish a great base. These three ingredients add lots of flavor. I like to use fresh ginger for the best taste. Make sure your knife is sharp for easy chopping. 1. In a bowl, whisk together the crushed tomatoes, coconut milk, and spices. 2. Incorporate the butter into the sauce mixture. Whisking together the crushed tomatoes and coconut milk creates a smooth sauce. Adding spices like garam masala, turmeric, and cumin makes it rich. The butter adds creaminess and depth to the flavor. Don't rush this step; a well-mixed sauce is key! 1. Layer the onion mixture and chicken in the slow cooker. 2. Pour the prepared sauce over the chicken. 3. Set the cooking time and temperature. Layering the onion and chicken first helps to infuse flavor. Pour the sauce gently to cover all the chicken pieces. Set your slow cooker to low for 6-8 hours or high for 3-4 hours. The slow cooking makes the chicken tender and delicious. To make your butter chicken shine, adjust the spice levels with chili powder. If you like it mild, use less. For a spicy kick, add more. This dish grows in flavor as it cooks. Allow the spices and sauce to meld during slow cooking for the best taste. Serve your butter chicken over fluffy basmati rice or with warm naan. Both options soak up the delicious sauce well. Add a garnish of fresh cilantro right before serving. This adds a nice pop of color and a fresh taste. One common mistake is overcrowding the slow cooker. This can lead to uneven cooking. Make sure there is enough space for the chicken to cook properly. Another mistake is not seasoning adequately. Always taste and adjust the seasoning before serving. A little salt can make a big difference. Pro Tips Use Bone-In Thighs for More Flavor: If you prefer a richer taste, consider using bone-in chicken thighs instead of boneless. They will add depth to the sauce during cooking. Adjust Spice Levels: To customize the heat level, start with less chili powder and taste the sauce before serving. You can always add more to suit your preference. Let it Simmer Longer: For even more tender chicken and infused flavors, let the dish simmer on low for the full 8 hours if your schedule allows. Fresh Herbs Make a Difference: Garnishing with fresh cilantro not only adds a pop of color but also brightens the dish. Don't skip this step! {{image_2}} You can easily swap chicken thighs for chicken breast. Chicken breast is leaner but still tasty. If you prefer a different base, use yogurt instead of coconut milk. Yogurt adds creaminess and a tangy touch. To make the dish even better, add veggies like peas or bell peppers. They add color and nutrition. You can also try different herbs like cilantro or mint. Each herb brings a new twist to the flavor. If you want a faster option, use an Instant Pot. Cook the butter chicken in about 30 minutes. For a traditional method, try the stovetop. It gives you a chance to watch the sauce bubble and thicken. Each method offers a unique taste and texture. Store leftovers in an airtight container. Keep them in the fridge for up to four days. This will help keep the flavors fresh and safe to eat. For freezing butter chicken, let it cool first. Then, pack it in a freezer-safe container or bag. Remove as much air as possible. It can last for up to three months in the freezer. To thaw, place it in the fridge overnight. You can also use the microwave for quick thawing. Just set it on defrost mode. To reheat butter chicken, use the microwave or stovetop. If using the microwave, heat it in short bursts. Stir between each burst for even heating. On the stovetop, warm it over low heat. Stir often to prevent sticking. Add a splash of water or coconut milk if it seems thick. Butter chicken is a rich and creamy dish from India. It dates back to the 1960s. The dish combines tender chicken in a spiced tomato sauce. You will find a mix of flavors like garlic, ginger, and garam masala in it. The key ingredients include: - Chicken thighs - Onion - Garlic - Fresh ginger - Crushed tomatoes - Coconut milk - Butter - Garam masala - Turmeric - Cumin - Paprika - Chili powder - Salt Butter chicken is known for its bold taste and smooth texture. It is often served with rice or naan. Yes, you can make slow cooker butter chicken ahead of time. This dish holds well in the fridge. Cook it in the slow cooker and let it cool. Once cooled, store it in an airtight container. It will stay fresh for up to three days. You can also freeze it for longer storage. Just thaw it in the fridge overnight before reheating. Butter chicken pairs well with many side dishes. Here are some great options: - Basmati rice - Naan bread - Roti - Cucumber salad - Steamed vegetables These sides complement the rich flavors of butter chicken. They make your meal complete and satisfying. This article outlined how to make delicious slow cooker butter chicken. We covered key ingredients, step-by-step cooking instructions, and helpful tips. You also learned about variations and storage methods. With these steps, you can enjoy a flavorful meal that warms your heart. Take your time, experiment with flavors, and be sure to have fun in the kitchen. Now, you’re ready to create a dish that impresses everyone!$