Slow-Cooker Butter Chicken

Chicken makhani, also known as butter chicken, is draped in a rich, creamy tomato sauce spiced with ginger and garam masala. Though it’s typically cooked on the stovetop, using a slow cooker infuses the meat with lots of savory flavor while eliminating the need to babysit the simmering pot lest it scorch. With a few simple ingredients, most of them pantry staples, it’s easy to recreate this Indian restaurant favorite right in your own kitchen. Whether you’re a seasoned cook or just starting out, this recipe is a fantastic opportunity to explore the vibrant world of Indian cuisine. So gather your ingredients and get ready to savor the deliciousness of homemade butter chicken.

What is chicken makhani, or butter chicken?

Chicken makhani, often referred to as butter chicken, is believed to have originated in Delhi, India. It’s a popular dish known for its rich, creamy tomato sauce and tender chicken. The mild sauce is typically a vibrant red-orange color that comes from the tomatoes, onions, garlic, ginger, garam masala and either coconut milk or cream in the dish.

Ingredients for Slow-Cooker Butter Chicken

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• Butter: Cooking the aromatic vegetables in butter adds richness and helps them soften so they blend into a velvety and cohesive sauce.
• Onion and garlic: Chopped onion provides a base of savory flavor to the sauce and adds sweetness as it cooks. You can use white or yellow onion, whichever you prefer. And garlic, an essential ingredient in so many curry recipes, contributes sharp, pungent flavor that complements the warm spices in the butter chicken sauce.
• Spices: Ground ginger as well as three spice blends—garam masala, red curry powder and chili powder—form the backbone of the sauce’s complex and warming flavor profile. Though the spice mixture includes chili powder, it would be a stretch to call it spicy. Butter chicken is a mild dish.
• Whole wheat flour and olive oil: Adding a little flour and oil to the vegetables as they fry creates a version of a roux, a cooked flour paste that helps to thicken the sauce. You can substitute all-purpose flour or a gluten-free flour blend.
• Coconut milk: Canned coconut milk is the ingredient that gives the sauce for this slow-cooker butter chicken its creamy consistency and a touch of sweetness, balancing the warmth of the spices. You can substitute heavy cream instead, if you like.
• Tomato paste: Adding tomato paste to the sauce for butter chicken adds loads of color and tangy flavor without the liquid that crushed tomatoes or tomato sauce would add, so it doesn’t dilute the flavor or texture of the sauce.
• Chicken: Three pounds of boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch pieces, absorb lots of flavor from cooking slowly in the sauce. You can substitute a whole chicken cut into pieces, if you like, or use boneless skinless thighs instead.
• Rice: Hot cooked rice is an ideal accompaniment to a dish like butter chicken because it absorbs all that extra brick-red sauce. Basmati or another type of long-grain rice would be the preferred option here.
• Fresh cilantro leaves and naan bread (optional): A side of warm naan is ideal for dipping into the sauce, and a scattering of chopped fresh cilantro leaves will add brightness back to this slow-cooked curry. Not a fan of cilantro? Feel free to omit it.

Directions

Step 1: Start the butter chicken sauce

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Heat a large saucepan over medium-high heat, then add the butter and onion. Cook and stir until the onions are tender, two to three minutes. Add the garlic, and cook until fragrant, about one minute.

Step 2: Add the spices

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Add the garam masala, curry powder, chili powder and ginger, then cook and stir for another minute longer.

Step 3: Add the remaining sauce ingredients

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Add the flour, then drizzle in the olive oil, stirring, until a paste forms. Whisk in the coconut milk and tomato paste, then cook and stir until combined and slightly thickened, one to two minutes. Season with salt and pepper.

Step 4: Puree the sauce, and add the chicken

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Using an immersion blender, carefully puree the sauce. Transfer it to a 5-quart slow cooker, then add the chicken and gently stir to combine.

Step 5: Slow-cook the butter chicken

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Cook, covered, on low until the chicken is no longer pink, three to four hours. Serve the butter chicken with rice, and if desired, sprinkle it with cilantro and add a side of naan.

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Slow-Cooker Butter Chicken Variations

• Try a spicier version: Kick things up by adding some cayenne pepper along with the other spices to this recipe for butter chicken in a slow cooker.
• Lighten it up: Use Greek yogurt instead of coconut milk for a lower-fat option.
• Make it vegetarian: Replace the chicken with cubed extra-firm tofu or rinsed and drained canned chickpeas, and adjust the cooking time accordingly.

How to Store Slow-Cooker Butter Chicken

Once it has cooled, store any leftover crockpot butter chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to four days.

Can you freeze slow-cooker butter chicken?

If you’d like to enjoy some of your butter chicken at a later time, you can freeze it for up to three months.

Slow-Cooker Butter Chicken Tips

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What does butter chicken taste like?

Butter chicken and chicken tikka masala are two of the most popular Indian dishes in the United States. Butter chicken is a creamier, lighter dish with less spice in comparison to tikka masala. If you like creamy curries, this one is for you.

Can you cook this slow-cooker butter chicken on high heat instead of low?

Yes, you can make this slow-cooker recipe for butter chicken using the high heat setting instead of the low one. It will take about two hours to cook. Check the internal temperature of the chicken with a meat thermometer to ensure it reaches at least 165° before serving.

What do you serve with butter chicken?

Serve this butter chicken with spiced potato-filled samosas, a simple red lentil dal or warm garlic naan bread. If you’re feeling inspired, here are more of our favorite Indian recipes.

Can you make butter chicken in an Instant Pot?

Absolutely. Cook the aromatics for the sauce using the saute function, puree it directly in the pot using an immersion blender, then switch to the slow-cooker setting on an Instant Pot or any other multi-cooker after adding the chicken.