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+ servings
slow cooker butter chicken over a bed of steamed white rice on a white plate
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5 from 2 votes

Slow Cooker Butter Chicken

Slow cooker butter chicken is an easy at home version of your favorite Indian dish. Perfectly spiced, you'll never know this fall apart chicken didn't come from the local Indian restaurant.
Prep Time15 minutes
Cook Time6 hours
Total Time6 hours 15 minutes
Course: Chicken, Dinner, Entree, Main Course
Cuisine: Indian
Servings: 6
Calories: 430kcal

Ingredients

  • 1 tbsp butter
  • 1/3 cup diced yellow onion
  • 1 1/2 tbsp minced garlic
  • 2 tbsp ginger paste
  • 8 oz tomato paste
  • 1 tbsp garam marsala
  • 1 tsp brown sugar
  • salt & pepper to taste
  • 1/2 tsp turmeric
  • 1 15 oz can full fat coconut milk
  • 1/2 cup chicken broth
  • 1 tbsp lime juice can sub lemon juice
  • 2 - 2 1/2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs roughly chopped
  • steamed white rice for serving
  • naan bread for serving
  • cilantro leaves for garnish

Instructions

  • Add the butter to a hot skillet set over medium heat. Add the onion and saute, stirring often, just until they've begun to soften.
  • Stir in the ginger & garlic, cooking another couple minutes. Transfer this mixture to the bottom of the bowl of your slow cooker.
  • In a mixing bowl add the tomato paste, seasonings, and sugar. Stir together until evenly combined. Add the milk, broth, and lime juice- whisk together just until evenly combined.
  • Add the chicken to the slow cooker, and pour the sauce evenly out overtop. Stir to combine.
  • Cover and cook on LOW for 6 hours, or HIGH for 3-4 hours.
  • Serve the butter chicken over steamed white rice, and garnish with fresh cilantro leaves.

Notes

  • You can substitute chicken breasts for chicken thighs if you want.
  • Don't use reduced fat coconut milk. You want the extra creaminess from the fat for this dish.
  • Can't find ginger paste? Grate some fresh ginger in its place.
  • Want a little heat? Sprinkle in some crushed red pepper flakes.

Nutrition

Calories: 430kcal | Carbohydrates: 12g | Protein: 40g | Fat: 25g | Saturated Fat: 17g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 185mg | Sodium: 567mg | Potassium: 1035mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 682IU | Vitamin C: 11mg | Calcium: 52mg | Iron: 5mg