Slow Cooker Butter Chicken Recipe

Preparing a flavorful, restaurant-quality butter chicken often feels daunting, especially for busy individuals or those new to cooking.

The thought of balancing multiple ingredients and lengthy cooking processes can be overwhelming, leaving many to opt for takeout instead.

This slow cooker butter chicken recipe simplifies the process, offering a straightforward method to achieve a rich, creamy dish with minimal effort. Enjoy a homemade meal with the convenience of a slow cooker and easy-to-follow instructions.

Ingredients

• 1 brown onion, diced
• 4 garlic cloves, thinly sliced
• 3 chicken breasts (about 1.2 kg), diced
• 50 grams butter
• 1 tablespoon oil
• 1 teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• 2 teaspoons mild curry powder
• ¼ teaspoon ground cumin
• ½ teaspoon ground cardamom
• ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
• ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
• ½ teaspoon ground coriander
• ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon ground ginger
• ¼ cup tomato paste
• 400 grams full-fat coconut cream
• ½ cup Greek-style yogurt (optional)
• Fresh coriander (optional, for garnish)

Instructions

1. Prepare Ingredients

Begin by dicing the brown onion and thinly slicing the garlic cloves. Next, trim and dice the chicken breasts into bite-sized cubes.

2. Prepare the Sauce

In a saucepan, melt the butter with the oil over low to medium heat. Add the diced onion and sliced garlic to the pan. Sauté until the onion becomes soft and translucent.

Stir in the salt, black pepper, curry powder, ground cumin, ground cardamom, ground nutmeg, ground cloves, ground coriander, ground cinnamon, and ground ginger. Cook for about one minute, allowing the spices to release their aromas.

Add the tomato paste to the pan and stir for another minute. Then, pour in the coconut cream and mix until well combined. Allow the sauce to simmer for 2-3 minutes to let the flavors meld together.

3. Slow Cook

Transfer the prepared sauce to a slow cooker. Add the diced chicken and stir gently to ensure the chicken is coated with the sauce.

Cover and cook on low for 5-6 hours or on high for 3-4 hours. The chicken is done when it is tender and easily shreds with a fork.

4. Final Touches

If desired, stir in the Greek-style yogurt for added creaminess.

Serve the butter chicken with naan bread, rice, or papadums. Garnish with fresh coriander if you like, or substitute with parsley if preferred.

Notes

• The addition of Greek yogurt is optional but enhances the dish’s creaminess.
• For those who prefer not to use coriander, parsley makes a suitable substitute.

Conclusion

The Slow Cooker Butter Chicken recipe offers a convenient and flavorful way to prepare a classic dish with minimal effort. By using a slow cooker, you ensure that the chicken becomes tender and absorbs the rich, aromatic spices over time. This recipe’s step-by-step instructions make it accessible for novice cooks, while the optional Greek yogurt adds a touch of creaminess to the final dish. Whether served with naan bread, rice, or papadums, this butter chicken is sure to be a satisfying and well-loved addition to your meal repertoire. Enjoy the ease of preparation and the comforting flavors of this slow-cooked favorite.