Crockpot Butter Chicken for the Easiest Slow Cooker Indian Dinner Ever
A warm, cozy bowl of Crockpot Butter Chicken is the kind of dinner that hits all the right notes. Rich, creamy, and gently spiced, this slow cooker version brings all the flavor of the classic Indian dish with none of the extra steps.
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Just add the ingredients to your crockpot, let it simmer low and slow, and come back to tender chicken swimming in a velvety, tomato-butter sauce.
Butter chicken isn’t something I grew up eating, but once I started exploring more restaurant-style Indian dishes at home, this one quickly made its way into the rotation. It’s rich, creamy, and the kind of dish that brings people to the table fast.
I love how the slow cooker handles the heavy lifting here. The flavors have time to settle and deepen, and the sauce turns out just as luscious as the stovetop version, without hovering over a pan.
Serving Suggestions
Crockpot Butter Chicken pairs perfectly with fluffy basmati rice, warm garlic naan, or even jeera rice if you’re feeling extra indulgent. Add a side of cucumber raita or a fresh kachumber salad to keep things balanced. For a refreshing side, pair this rich and creamy butter chicken with my Spicy Korean Cucumber Salad to balance the flavors. If you’re building a festive menu, you can pair this with Indian cookies like nankhatai.
It also works great for lunch the next day, just reheat gently and top with fresh cilantro. Serve this rich curry alongside a festive harvest salad for a lighter side with autumn flavors. For more low-carb slow cooker inspiration, check out this full list of keto crockpot recipes.
More Crockpot Recipes
- When you want something creamy but don’t want the fuss, this dump-and-go Crockpot Chicken Alfredo delivers all the cozy comfort of a pasta night, with almost zero effort. Just toss everything in the slow cooker, let it do its thing, and come back to tender chicken, rich Alfredo sauce, and perfectly cooked fettuccine.
- This Crockpot Chicken Parmesan is one of those easy dinners that delivers every time. It’s simple to prep, slow-cooked in marinara, topped with melty cheese and golden breadcrumbs, and perfect for a cozy weeknight meal.
- This crockpot tomato cottage cheese soup is cozy, creamy, and slow-cooked to perfection. It’s the kind of easy comfort food that pairs perfectly with grilled cheese or crusty bread. A perfect addition to your weeknight dinner rotation.
- This Crockpot Vegan Chickpea Tikka Masala is the kind of dinner that makes itself while you handle everything else. It’s rich, cozy, and full of flavor, no extra steps, just real comfort in a bowl.
- Crockpot Saag Chicken is a simple way to bring comforting Indian-inspired curry to your weeknight routine. Let it simmer low and slow while you handle everything else, just serve with warm rice or naan.
Tried this Crockpot Butter Chicken? Let me know how you served it – with rice, naan, or even just by the spoonful. And if you’re saving easy Indian-inspired crockpot chicken recipes, this one deserves a top spot on your board.
Equipment
Ingredients
For the Chicken:
For the Sauce:
- 1 can crushed tomatoes (15 oz)
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 1 tablespoon garam masala
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon turmeric
- ½ teaspoon chili powder optional, to taste
- Salt and pepper to taste
To Finish:
- 1 cup heavy cream
- ¼ cup unsalted butter cubed
- ¼ cup plain Greek yogurt optional, for extra creaminess
- 2 tablespoons cilantro for garnish
Instructions
- Add the chopped onion, garlic, and ginger to the bottom of a 5–6 quart slow cooker. Place the chicken on top.
- In a bowl, combine the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, sugar, garam masala, cumin, paprika, turmeric, chili powder, salt, and pepper. Mix well and pour the sauce over the chicken.
- Cover and cook on LOW for 6 hours or HIGH for 4 hours, until the chicken is fully cooked and tender.
- Stir in the heavy cream and cubed butter. Cover and cook for another 10–15 minutes on LOW, until the sauce is creamy and smooth. If using yogurt, stir it in slowly at this stage to avoid curdling.
- Garnish with chopped cilantro and serve hot with basmati rice or naan.
Notes
- Chicken breasts can be used, but thighs give better texture and flavor.
- Adjust chili powder for the spice level.
- Use tomato puree if you prefer a smoother sauce.
- Yogurt is optional but adds a nice tang if stirred in at the end.
- Leftovers reheat well and are perfect for meal prep.
Delicious! I was impressed with how easy yet authentic this recipe was.
Hi Katherine,
Thank you so much! I’m glad you enjoyed it. I try to keep it simple without losing that classic flavor. Appreciate you taking the time to share your feedback!
– Shilpa
My husband and I loved this recipe! It was delicious and protein packed, but surprisingly easy to just throw in the slow cooker.
I’m so glad you both enjoyed it! That’s exactly what I love about this recipe. Big flavor, great protein, and hardly any effort. Thanks so much for taking the time to share your feedback!
– Shilpa