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overhead shot of slow cooker Indian butter chicken in slate plate
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Indian Butter Chicken

This slow cooker Indian butter chicken is a lightened-up creamy version of what you get with take-out, but tastes even better.
Course Main Course
Cuisine Indian
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 4 hours
Total Time 4 hours 10 minutes
Servings 6
Calories 252kcal
Author Ryan Beck

Ingredients

  • 1 ½ lbs boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1" cubes
  • ½ sweet onion, diced
  • 1 (14 oz can) coconut milk
  • 1 (6 oz can) tomato paste
  • ½ cup Greek yogurt
  • ¼ cup heavy cream
  • 4 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 tablespoon freshly grated ginger
  • 2 tablespoon garam masala
  • 2 teaspoon curry powder
  • 1 teaspoon Thai red curry paste
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon cumin
  • ½ teaspoon tumeric
  • ½ teaspoon kosher salt
  • 2 tablespoon unsalted butter
  • ¼ cup fresh cilantro, chopped
  • cooked white rice for serving

Instructions

  • In a large bowl, mix together the coconut milk, tomato paste, yogurt, heavy cream, garlic, ginger and spices.
  • In slow cooker, place onions on the bottom. Add the chicken and then pour the coconut milk mixture over the chicken until it's completely covered. Add the butter and place the lid on the slow cooker.
  • Cook on high for 2-3 hours or low for 4-5 hours. When ready to eat, serve over rice and top with some fresh cilantro.

Notes

  • Use chicken breasts or thighs. Whatever tastes better to you.
  • You can substitute heavy cream instead of coconut milk and regular yogurt instead of Greek yogurt if you prefer.
  • If you can't find/use fresh ginger, replace it with just ¼ teaspoon dried ginger as it is much more concentrated.
  • This slow cooker butter chicken uses a lot of spices so make sure they aren't expired as they'll lose of of their flavor.
  • When using a slow cooker, only cook chicken for 2-3 hours on high or 4-5 hours on low, otherwise it will be overcooked.
  • You know the chicken is cooked when it reaches 165°F with an instant-read thermometer or if you cut into the chicken and the juices run clear and there is no pink. Honestly, I always just cut the chicken to see when it is done. If it isn’t just cook slightly longer.

Nutrition

Serving: 0.5cup | Calories: 252kcal | Carbohydrates: 13g | Protein: 25g | Fat: 12g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Trans Fat: 0g | Cholesterol: 79mg | Sodium: 395mg | Potassium: 607mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 950IU | Vitamin C: 14mg | Calcium: 200mg | Iron: 2.9mg