Lazy Day Magic: Slow-Cooker Butter Chicken Recipe That Wows

Creamy, aromatic butter chicken simmers with rich, velvety spices that dance across your palate.

This tender Indian-inspired slow-cooker butter chicken brings restaurant-quality flavors directly to your kitchen.

Fragrant garam masala and smooth tomato sauce create a harmonious blend of warmth and comfort.

Succulent chicken pieces absorb the luxurious marinade, promising a meal that delights every sense.

Each bite promises a delectable journey through traditional and modern culinary techniques.

The recipe transforms simple ingredients into an extraordinary dining experience that will transport you to the vibrant streets of northern India.

Prepare to savor every single, mouthwatering spoonful of this incredible dish.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 6 hours (on low) or 3 hours (on high)

Total Time: 6 hours 10 minutes

Calories: 500 kcal

Servings: 4

Ingredients for Creamy Slow-Cooker Butter Chicken

• Chicken Thighs or Chicken Breasts: Tender meat that absorbs rich flavors and creates a hearty base for the dish, choosing bone-in or boneless based on personal preference.

• Peanut Butter: Creamy foundation that adds nutty depth and silky texture to the sauce, selecting natural unsweetened variety for best results.
• Coconut Milk: Provides luxurious creaminess and subtle tropical undertones, opting for full-fat version for richer consistency.
• Soy Sauce: Delivers savory umami flavor and helps balance the sauce's complexity, choosing low-sodium option for better control.

• Rice Vinegar: Introduces bright, tangy notes that cut through richness, selecting clear version for clean taste.
• Honey: Adds gentle sweetness and helps caramelize the sauce, using raw honey for deeper flavor profile.
• Garlic: Provides aromatic intensity and classic savory punch, using fresh cloves for maximum zestiness.
• Ginger: Contributes warm, spicy undertones and enhances overall flavor complexity, preferring fresh grated root.
• Crushed Red Pepper Flakes: Brings gentle heat and subtle kick, adjusting quantity based on spice tolerance.

• Green Onions: Adds fresh, sharp crispness and vibrant color to finished dish.
• Peanuts: Introduces delightful crunch and nutty accent, using roasted and chopped variety.
• Cilantro: Provides bright, herbaceous freshness and aromatic lift to the final presentation.

Equipment for Making Butter Chicken in a Slow Cooker

• Slow Cooker: Essential for hands-off, tender cooking of chicken in the sauce.
• Medium Bowl: Perfect for whisking together the flavorful peanut sauce ingredients.
• Whisk: Crucial for blending sauce ingredients smoothly and evenly.
• Two Forks: Ideal for shredding the cooked chicken directly in the slow cooker.
• Cutting Board: Useful for chopping garnishes like peanuts, green onions, and cilantro.
• Knife: Needed for precise cutting of garnish ingredients.

Save and Reheat Slow-Cooker Butter Chicken Like a Pro

• Fridge Fresh Tactic: Store leftover butter chicken in an airtight container for up to 4 days, keeping the rich flavors sealed and delicious.
• Freezer Friendly Option: Transfer cooled chicken to freezer-safe containers, which maintain quality for 2-3 months without losing taste or texture.
• Reheating Magic: Warm gently in microwave or stovetop, adding tiny splash of coconut milk to restore original creamy consistency and prevent drying.
• Smart Portioning Strategy: Divide into single-serving containers for quick lunch prep, making weekday meals effortless and ensuring perfect grab-and-go portions.

How to Cook Slow-Cooker Butter Chicken with Ease

• Create Flavor Base

Blend tomato sauce, yogurt, and aromatic spices into a rich, creamy mixture that will transform ordinary chicken into a mouthwatering masterpiece.

• Layer Chicken in Cooker

Nestle tender chicken pieces into the slow cooker, generously coating each morsel with the vibrant, spice-infused sauce.

• Let Magic Happen

Allow the slow cooker to work its wonder, gently simmering the chicken for several hours until it becomes impossibly tender and infused with incredible depth of flavor.

• Break Down Chicken

Gently pull apart the chicken using two forks, letting it absorb the luscious sauce and create a velvety, succulent texture.

• Finish and Plate

Sprinkle fresh herbs over the dish, creating a burst of brightness that complements the rich, warm flavors. Serve alongside fluffy basmati rice for a complete culinary experience.

Tips to Add Heat or Creaminess to Butter Chicken

• Peanut Butter Chicken Magic Secrets: Easy Cooking Hacks and Delicious Twists
• Meat Selection Magic: Choose skinless, boneless chicken thighs for extra tenderness or swap with chicken breasts for a leaner protein option.
• Spice Level Control: Adjust crushed red pepper flakes to create mild, medium, or fiery hot versions that match your personal heat preference.
• Make-Ahead Master Trick: Prepare sauce and chicken mixture up to 24 hours in advance, refrigerate, then slow cook when ready to serve for deeper flavor development.
• Diet-Friendly Transformations: Create gluten-free version by using tamari instead of soy sauce, or make it dairy-free by selecting coconut milk without additives.
• Protein Power Swap: Replace chicken with firm tofu or tempeh for a vegetarian alternative that absorbs the rich, creamy peanut sauce beautifully.

Serving Ideas for Butter Chicken with Rice or Bread

• Cozy Rice Bowl Bliss: Spoon the tender shredded chicken over fluffy jasmine or basmati rice for a comforting one-bowl meal that hugs your taste buds.
• Noodle Nest Delight: Toss the saucy chicken over warm rice noodles or egg noodles, creating a silky, flavor-packed dinner that's quick and satisfying.
• Fresh Flavor Boost: Sprinkle extra chopped peanuts, green onions, and cilantro on top for added crunch, brightness, and a restaurant-style presentation that makes every bite exciting.
• Wrap It Up: Use the shredded chicken in warm tortillas or lettuce wraps for a fun, handheld meal that's perfect for lunch or casual dinners with family and friends.

Effortless Slow-Cooker Butter Chicken Recipe

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4.5 from 8 reviews

• Total Time: 6 hours 10 minutes
• Yield: 5 1x

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Description

Butter chicken, a beloved Indian classic, emerges as a slow-cooker sensation that brings rich, creamy flavors to your home kitchen. Tender chicken simmers in a velvety tomato-based sauce, inviting you to savor each aromatic bite of this comforting meal.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1.5 lbs (680 g) boneless, skinless chicken thighs
• ½ cup creamy peanut butter
• ¼ cup low-sodium soy sauce
• ¼ cup coconut milk
• 2 tbsps rice vinegar
• 1 tbsp honey
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tsp grated ginger
• ½ tsp crushed red pepper flakes
• ¼ cup chopped peanuts
• 2 green onions, chopped
• Fresh cilantro, chopped

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Instructions

1. Sauce Preparation: Whisk peanut butter, soy sauce, coconut milk, rice vinegar, honey, garlic, ginger, and red pepper flakes into a smooth, well-blended mixture, ensuring no lumps remain.
2. Chicken Arrangement: Place chicken thighs or breasts in the slow cooker, completely covering them with the prepared peanut sauce, guaranteeing thorough coating.
3. Slow Cooking: Cover and cook on low for 6-7 hours or high for 3-4 hours until chicken becomes fork-tender and easily shreds.
4. Shredding and Mixing: Use two forks to pull chicken into delicate strands, stirring to incorporate sauce evenly and enhance overall flavor profile.
5. Serving: Plate the succulent, sauce-infused chicken over rice or noodles, then garnish with chopped peanuts, green onions, and fresh cilantro for a vibrant, textural finish.

Notes

• Prevent Sauce Separation: Whisk sauce ingredients thoroughly to create a stable, emulsified mixture that won’t split during slow cooking.
• Chicken Selection Matters: Choose bone-in chicken thighs for maximum flavor and tenderness, ensuring juicier results compared to leaner chicken breasts.
• Control Spice Intensity: Adjust crushed red pepper flakes to personalize heat level, starting with less and adding incrementally to suit individual taste preferences.
• Enhance Texture Variation: Toast chopped peanuts before garnishing to introduce a deeper, nuttier flavor and create an exciting crunch against the tender, saucy chicken.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 6 hours (on low) or 3 hours (on high)
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Slow Cooking
• Cuisine: Indian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 482
• Sugar: 6 g
• Sodium: 586 mg
• Fat: 30 g
• Saturated Fat: 9 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 21 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 23 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 31 g
• Cholesterol: 145 mg