Description

How to make creamy Slow Cooker Butter Chicken with tender chicken and a rich tomato sauce that’s perfect for busy weeknights.

Ingredients

Scale

Main Components:
2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into 1-inch pieces
28 oz can crushed tomatoes (100% tomatoes, not paste blend)
1 cup heavy cream
1 large yellow onion, finely chopped
1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated
4 cloves fresh garlic, minced
Flavor Builders:
4 tablespoons (1/4 cup) unsalted butter
1/2 cup low-sodium chicken broth
2 tablespoons tomato paste
1/4 cup unsweetened cashew butter
Essential Spices:
2 teaspoons garam masala
1 teaspoon turmeric powder
1 teaspoon Kashmiri chili powder
Finishing Touches:
1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped (for garnish)
1 teaspoon salt (or to taste)

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Instructions

Prep Ingredients: Chop onion, mince garlic, and grate ginger. Cut chicken thighs into 1-inch pieces. This initial prep makes the rest of your Slow Cooker Butter Chicken process seamless. Don’t forget to measure out all your spices beforehand!
Sauté Aromatics: In a pan, melt 2 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Sauté the chopped onion until softened, about 5-7 minutes. Then, add ginger and garlic, cooking for another minute until fragrant. This builds a foundational flavor.
Combine Sauce: Transfer the sautéed aromatics to your slow cooker. Add crushed tomatoes, chicken broth, tomato paste, cashew butter, garam masala, turmeric, Kashmiri chili powder, and salt. Stir well to combine all these wonderful flavors for your Slow Cooker Butter Chicken.
Add Chicken: Gently fold the 1-inch chicken thigh pieces into the sauce mixture in the slow cooker. Ensure the chicken is submerged, allowing it to absorb all the delicious spices. Avoid overfilling your slow cooker for best results.
Slow Cook: Cover and cook on LOW for 5-6 hours or on HIGH for 3-4 hours, until the chicken is tender and easily shredded. This slow cooking method ensures perfectly moist chicken for your butter chicken.
Finish Sauce: Once cooked, stir in the heavy cream and the remaining 2 tablespoons of unsalted butter until melted and fully incorporated. The sauce for The Easiest Slow Cooker Butter Chicken You’ll Ever Make will become incredibly rich and creamy.
Serve Garnish: Ladle your delicious Slow Cooker Butter Chicken into bowls. Garnish generously with fresh chopped cilantro. Serve hot with basmati rice or naan bread for a comforting and satisfying meal. Enjoy!

Notes

Sautéing aromatics is crucial; don’t skip it to build foundational flavor and depth for your butter chicken.

Store cooled butter chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days, checking for freshness before reheating.

Unsweetened almond or peanut butter can substitute cashew butter, but always verify labels to avoid an overly sweet dish.

Serve butter chicken hot, garnished with fresh cilantro, alongside fluffy basmati rice or warm naan bread for a comforting meal.

Prepare and freeze the sauce base (without chicken or cream) for quick weeknight meals; thaw before adding chicken and finishing.

**Allergy Information:** Dairy, Tree Nuts