Slow Cooker Butter Chicken
This Slow Cooker Butter Chicken is bursting with flavor!
Slow Cooker Butter Chicken is such a flavorful family-friendly dish that you can whip up on any weeknight right in your slow cooker. Tender chicken cook up in a flavorful tomato based sauce spiced with garam masala, ginger and garlic. Heavy cream at the end makes the sauce nice and rich. Serve this over some rice with some naan bread and you will have a delicious dinner.
I love easy dinners that are full of flavor and that everyone loves. This dinner is easy and I like that I can just throw in the slow cooker and this Butter Chicken is always a favorite.
I love that I can just throw everything in the slow cooker and have a delicious, flavorful dinner that everyone really enjoys. Whenever I find a dinner that everyone in my house likes that is amazing because I have some picky eaters but they love this chicken! And for it to be in the slow cooker? That’s a double win!
This Butter Chicken is full of rich, savory flavor. This is a filling dish that is budget-friendly. The base of this dish is chicken tenderloins which are always a more affordable option and we serve it over rice, also very budget-friendly.
This Slow Cooker Butter Chicken is full of flavor from the rich chicken, onion, garlic, garam masala, tomato paste and heavy whipping cream. It goes perfectly over a bed of white rice which absorbs all that delicious sauce. You can also serve it over mashed potatoes or noodles. Plus the leftovers just get better and better!
This Butter Chicken is always such a family favorite, the sauce is flavorful but mild which is always a favorite with my kids. You can also stretch it and customize it by adding veggies like carrots or broccoli.
I love that you can tweak this to your family’s taste, you can add more spice or even swap out the chicken for pork.
This is great served with a little side salad and some naan bread but I like to serve it with these nice and fluffy Lunch Lady Rolls.
Everyone is feeling the pinch with the grocery bill right now and you can’t get much cheaper than chicken and rice. So this is a fabulous dinner when you are trying to save a few pennies and it makes a lot! The leftovers are amazing!
Next time you want a family friendly dinner just throw these ingredients together and let the slow cooker take care of the rest!
I promise your whole family will love this Slow Cooker Butter Chicken.
You will want to make this dinner again and again! We do!
WHY THIS RECIPE WORKS
- Easy and delicious.
- Family-friendly.
- Budget-friendly.
- Full of flavor.
- A set it-and forget-it meal.
- Perfect for weeknights.
- Rich and Savory flavor.
My favorite slow cooker for this recipe is this Hamilton Beach one.
Gather all your ingredients.
Mix up your sauce.
Place everything in the slow cooker.
Add the cream.
Garnish and serve!
INGREDIENTS
- Chicken tenderloins- Cut into bite size pieces. You can also use boneless chicken thighs or breasts.
- Yellow onion- I love to use a sweet yellow onion in this recipe but feel free to use whatever onion you have on hand.
- Garlic- Fresh or jarred will work perfect here.
- Ground ginger- You can use fresh if you prefer but use less.
- Garam masala- This is the main spice and flavor of the dish.
- Tomato paste- This helps give the dish a base.
- Chicken broth- You only need a little bit to make up the sauce.
- Butter- Of course you need butter in butter chicken, you can use salted or unsalted.
- Heavy whipping cream- This makes the dish rich and creamy.
- Cilantro- If you dont like cilantro you can skip it or substitute for green onions or parsley.
How to make Slow Cooker Butter Chicken
- FULL RECIPE BELOW
- Into your 6 quart slow cooker add the chicken, onion, garlic, ginger, garam masala, tomato paste, chicken broth and butter.
- Cover and cook on low 6 hours or high 4 hours.
- Right before serving stir in the heavy cream.
- Garnish with cilantro and serve over rice.
When To Serve This Recipe
This Slow Cooker Butter Chicken is one of those recipes that’s perfect for just about any night of the week. It’s easy enough for busy weeknights when you don’t have time to stand over the stove, but it’s also special enough to serve when friends or family come over for dinner. I love making it on chilly evenings when everyone is craving something warm and comforting, but honestly, it’s a meal we enjoy year-round. Serve it with fluffy basmati rice and warm naan for a restaurant-style dinner right at home.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use chicken thighs instead of chicken breasts?
Absolutely! Boneless, skinless chicken thighs are a great substitute and actually stay even more tender during the long cooking time. They have a little more flavor and are less likely to dry out, making them an excellent choice for this recipe.
Is Butter Chicken spicy?
Traditional Butter Chicken is known for being mild and creamy rather than spicy. The rich tomato and cream sauce balances the spices beautifully. If your family enjoys more heat, you can always add cayenne pepper or a pinch of red pepper flakes before serving.
Can I freeze Butter Chicken?
Yes! Butter Chicken freezes beautifully. Allow it to cool completely before transferring it to freezer-safe containers. Freeze for up to 3 months and thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating gently on the stove or in the microwave.
What should I serve with Butter Chicken?
Basmati rice is the classic choice because it soaks up all of that delicious sauce. Naan bread is also perfect for scooping up every last bite. Roasted vegetables or a simple cucumber salad make wonderful side dishes as well.
Storage & Make Ahead
Store leftover Butter Chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. The flavors continue to develop overnight, making the leftovers even better the next day. Reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave, stirring occasionally until warmed through.
More Easy Slow Cooker Chicken Recipes
If your slow cooker is your favorite kitchen helper, you’re going to love these easy chicken recipes! From creamy comfort food and hearty family dinners to flavorful sandwiches and cozy classics, these crock pot meals make busy weeknights so much easier. Just set it, forget it, and come home to a delicious dinner everyone will love.
- Slow Cooker Chicken Stroganoff – tender chicken in a rich, creamy mushroom sauce served over noodles for the ultimate comfort meal.
- Slow Cooker Buffalo Chicken Chili – a hearty, creamy chili with just the right amount of buffalo flavor that’s perfect for game day or chilly evenings.
- Slow Cooker Chicken Cordon Bleu – all the classic flavors of chicken, ham, and Swiss cheese come together in this easy crock pot dinner.
- Slow Cooker Chicken Pot Pie – a creamy, veggie-filled chicken dinner with all the comforting flavors of homemade pot pie.
- Slow Cooker Chicken & Noodles – tender chicken and thick egg noodles simmer together in a rich, comforting sauce that’s always a family favorite.
- Slow Cooker Caesar Chicken Sandwiches – juicy shredded chicken tossed in creamy Caesar flavors and piled onto buns for an easy, flavorful meal.
Slow Cooker Butter Chicken
Butter Chicken is such a flavorful family-friendly dish that you can whip up on any weeknight right in your slow cooker. Tender chicken cook up in a flavorful tomato based sauce spiced with garam masala, ginger and garlic. Heavy cream at the end makes the sauce nice and rich. Serve this over some rice with some naan bread and you will have a delicious dinner.
Ingredients
- 1.5 pounds chicken tenderloins, cut into bite size pieces
- 1 medium yellow onion, diced
- 5 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon ground ginger
- 2 tablespoons garam masala
- 1/2 cup tomato paste
- ½ cup chicken broth
- 3 tablespoons butter
- ½ cup heavy whipping cream
- Cilantro for topping
Instructions
- Into your 6 quart slow cooker add the chicken, onion, garlic, ginger, garam masala, tomato paste, chicken broth and butter.
- Cover and cook on low 6 hours or high 4 hours.
- Right before serving stir in the heavy cream.
- Garnish with cilantro and serve over rice.
Notes
- You can use boneless skinless chicken thighs if you prefer.
- Store leftovers in refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 4 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving:Calories: 517Total Fat: 26gSaturated Fat: 14gTrans Fat: 1gUnsaturated Fat: 10gCholesterol: 202mgSodium: 342mgCarbohydrates: 13gFiber: 3gSugar: 6gProtein: 56g
