Slow Cooker Butter Chicken

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This Slow Cooker Butter Chicken is a super easy recipe to make that is packed full of amazing flavour. Not only it is healthy, but it is also gluten free, dairy free and made using easy-to-find pantry ingredients.

A bowl of slow cooker butter chicken with some fresh coriander on top.

Making butter chicken in the slow cooker is one of my favourite meals and it is so easy to make when using a crock pot or slow cooker. This recipe only requires a few steps and the end result is an amazing tasting meal. You can serve with rice, quinoa and/or green vegetables.

If you are wanting a quicker method to cook butter chicken then you must check out my Instant pot butter chicken or you can also try this delicious Butterfly Chicken Recipe that I made recently.

INGREDIENTS YOU NEED

Chicken thighs or you can use chicken breasts
Coconut oil
Garlic
Brown onion
Coconut cream or coconut milk - both work really well in this recipe
Tomato paste
Tapioca flour or you can use arrowroot powder or even some gluten free flour
Spices and seasoning for this recipe are garam masala, curry powder, ginger powder, chili powder, Sea salt and black pepper
Fresh coriander - if you are not a coriander fan then you could add some fresh parsley at the end or simply omit.

SLOW COOKING TIPS

Use the low setting whenever possible. This will help to bring out the flavours of this dish you are cooking. I only recommend using the high setting, if you are running short on time.
Roll the meat in some tapioca flour (or other healthy thickener) to help thicken up the liquid while cooking.
Always add the greens towards the end of cooking, the last hour usually works well. This will ensure that they are not too soggy and/or discoloured.
Make sure you keep the lid on to ensure that no heat escapes and your meal is cooked properly.

RECIPE FAQS

What is the best way to store leftover butter chicken?

You can store in your refrigerator for up to 3 days or in your freezer for up to 3 months.
When ready to eat:
- If frozen, place the night before to thaw out in your refrigerator. Then you can either re-heat on your stove or in your microwave on low-medium heat.

What can I serve with this butter chicken?

I either like to serve it with quinoa or rice.

Can I add vegetables to this meal?

Absolutely! You can add your favourite vegetables in the last hour of cooking.

Can I cook this on high heat?

I do recommend cooking on low heat for 5 hours, but if you are short on time, then you can cook on high heat for 2.5-3 hours.

Slow Cooker Beef Ribs

Slow Cooker Lamb Shanks

Crock Pot Cashew Chicken

Slow Cooked Shredded Lemon Garlic Chicken

Slow Cooker Chicken Tikka Marsala

Lastly, if you make this slow cooker meal then I would love to hear from you. You can either leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! If you do make this recipe, please tag me on Instagram! It really makes my day when I see your creations of my recipes.

Slow Cooker Butter Chicken

If you are looking for a super easy Slow Cooker Butter Chicken then this is the recipe for you. Not only it is healthy, it is also gluten free, dairy free and made using easy to find pantry ingredients.

4.47 from 52 votes

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Category: Meat & Seafood

Cuisine: Indian

Prep Time: 10

Cook Time: 5

Total Time: 5 10

Servings:

Calories: 526kcal

Author: Vanessa Vickery

Equipment

1 Slow Cooker or Crock Pot

Ingredients

1 tablespoon coconut oil
3-4 cloves garlic crushed
1 onion diced
1 ¾ coconut milk or coconut cream
¾ cup tomato paste
2 tablespoons tapioca flour or arrowroot powder
2 teaspoons garam masala
1 teaspoon curry powder
½ teaspoon ginger powder
½ teaspoon chili powder add more if you like it hotter
Sea salt and black pepper to taste
2.75 lbs chicken thighs or breasts, cut into small pieces
fresh coriander or fresh parsley to serve

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

Saute onion and garlic. Heat coconut oil in a large saucepan on medium high heat. Add onion and garlic, cook, stirring frequently for approximately 3 minutes or until the onions have become translucent.
Make sauce. Add coconut milk, tomato paste, tapioca flour, garam masala, curry powder, chili powder and ginger powder, stirring until well combined and the sauce has started to thicken. Season with salt and pepper.
Cook. Add chicken to the slow cooker, then add the sauce and mix through the chicken. Cover and cook on low heat for 5 hours.
Serve. Serve with the coriander and your favourite sides (mine with quinoa).