Crockpot Chicken Saag: Easy Slow Cooker Indian Dinner for Busy Days
If you’ve ever wanted to make chicken saag at home without blending spinach, babysitting a stovetop, or waiting for onions to caramelize, this recipe is for you. This Crockpot Chicken Saag brings together chopped spinach, tender chicken thighs, and a warm blend of spices into one of the easiest Indian meals you’ll make all week. It’s bold, earthy, and the kind of meal that gets better the next day just the way it should be.
Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. This means I get a small commission if you decide to make a purchase through my links at no extra cost to you.
I didn’t grow up eating saag chicken – this isn’t a traditional South Indian dish by any means. But once I started cooking for my own family, I found myself coming back to flavors like this: bold, spiced, and comforting.
My version doesn’t use a blender, and doesn’t need cream. It just lets the spinach and spices do their thing. I make it on regular busy weekdays when I want real flavor without standing over the stove and cooking down the onions like it’s a Sunday project.
Pro Tip: Don’t skip the yogurt at the end. It rounds out the spices, softens the bitterness of the spinach, and gives this saag chicken curry that signature finish without needing a drop of cream or blended tomato. Just stir it in gently once the cooking is done.
Serving Suggestions
Serve this over hot basmati rice with warm garlic naan or roti on the side. A bowl of cucumber raita adds a cool contrast, and lemon wedges make the whole thing pop. Leftovers are excellent in wraps, grain bowls, or packed into meal prep containers with rice.
More Crockpot Chicken Recipes
- 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 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 pumpkin cottage cheese soup is creamy, gently spiced, and easy to make. It’s a warm, comforting bowl that comes together with almost no effort.
- These Crockpot Chicken Tacos use simple ingredients and turn out juicy and flavorful every time. This is the kind of recipe that makes weeknights easier. Serve with avocado, shredded lettuce, sour cream, or turn it into taco bowls with rice and beans. For more low-carb slow cooker inspiration, check out this full list of keto crockpot recipes.
- Making Indian food at home doesn’t have to mean extra effort. This Crockpot Butter Chicken is rich, creamy, and built for busy nights. It’s a slow cooker dinner that brings bold flavor with minimal prep.
Tried this Crockpot Saag Chicken? Let me know how you served it – with rice, naan, or even just by the spoonful. And if you’re saving easy crockpot chicken recipes, this one deserves a top spot on your list.
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 lb chicken thighs (boneless, skinless) cut into chunks
- 1 small onion finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1-inch piece ginger grated
- 1 green chili slit lengthwise
- 10 oz frozen chopped spinach thawed and squeezed dry
- 2 teaspoon garam masala
- 1½ teaspoon ground cumin
- ½ teaspoon ground coriander
- ½ teaspoon turmeric
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper optional
- 1-1½ teaspoon salt adjust as per taste
- 2 tablespoon oil or ghee
- ½ cup plain yogurt plus more for garnish
- 1 teaspoon kasuri methi (dried fenugreek leaves), optional
- ½ lemon juiced
- Fresh cilantro for garnish
Instructions
- Add the chicken, onion, garlic, ginger, green chili, thawed spinach, garam masala, cumin, turmeric, paprika, cayenne, salt, and oil or ghee to the slow cooker. Mix everything well so the chicken and spinach are evenly coated in the spices.
- Cover and cook on low for 6–7 hours or high for 3–4 hours, until the chicken is tender and fully cooked.
- In the last 15–20 minutes of cooking, add the yogurt. Also, rub the kasuri methi between your palms and add it. Mix gently to avoid breaking the chicken.
- Squeeze in lemon juice just before serving and adjust salt if needed. Garnish with chopped cilantro and a swirl of extra yogurt on top.
Notes
- Use frozen chopped spinach for ease, but be sure to squeeze it dry before adding to avoid excess water.
- Add the yogurt at the end to prevent it from curdling in the slow cooker.
- Want it thicker? Leave the lid slightly ajar for the last 30 minutes of cooking.
- Want a smoother version? Sauté the onion, garlic, ginger, and spinach in a pan first, then blend that mixture before adding it to the slow cooker with the chicken and spices.
- Chicken thighs work best as they stay juicy during long cook times. Skip breasts unless you reduce the cooking time.
