Butter Chicken Recipe Crockpot Recipe

Get ready to meet your new comfort food obsession! This Butter Chicken Recipe Crockpot version pairs all the luscious, deeply spiced flavor of the restaurant classic with true weeknight simplicity—just toss it together and let your slow cooker do the magic. It’s creamy, gently spiced, and absolutely irresistible, delivering a rich Indian-inspired dinner with hardly any hands-on work.

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Ingredients You’ll Need

One of the joys of this Butter Chicken Recipe Crockpot is how it leans on a handful of accessible, hardworking ingredients that each bring something special to the table. Let’s breeze through what you’ll need, with a few insider tips to lock in flavor and texture.

• Onion: Just one small onion, diced, forms the comforting base and brings a gentle sweetness that mellows as it cooks.
• Unsalted Butter: Four tablespoons of butter create that dreamy, ultra-rich mouthfeel that gives butter chicken its name.
• Minced Garlic & Grated Ginger: These aromatics are freshly sautéed for maximum flavor—don’t skip the ginger, it’s what makes the sauce addictively fragrant.
• Curry Powder, Chili Powder, Garam Masala, and Cumin: This blend of spices offers warmth, color, and the signature depth of butter chicken. Garam masala is especially important for authentic flavor!
• Salt: Just enough to make every flavor pop.
• Tomato Sauce & Tomato Paste: Tomato sauce brings gentle tang while tomato paste adds deep richness and a hint of natural sweetness.
• Heavy Cream: Room-temperature cream whirls into the sauce for a luxurious, non-grainy finish—don’t substitute with low-fat versions if you want the creamiest result.
• Cornstarch: This little trick thickens the sauce just before serving for that classic, dippable texture.
• Boneless-Skinless Chicken Breasts: Large chicken breasts stay juicy and hold their shape when cooked whole, making the chicken bites tender and not mushy.
• Cooked Jasmine Rice: Fluffy, aromatic jasmine rice soaks up every bit of that luscious sauce—prepare it fresh for best results.
• Fresh Cilantro: A hefty sprinkle on top brightens every bite and adds a burst of color.

Variations

Don’t be afraid to riff on this Butter Chicken Recipe Crockpot according to your cravings, pantry, or special diets! It’s endlessly adaptable and just as delicious with a few simple twists.

• Swap the Protein: Try boneless-skinless chicken thighs for extra-juicy, flavorful meat, or sub in cubed paneer or chickpeas for a vegetarian take.
• Adjust the Heat: Bump up the chili powder or add a pinch of cayenne to turn up the spice, or go mild with half the chili for a kid-friendly spin.
• Dairy-Free Option: Use full-fat coconut milk in place of heavy cream and swap the butter for vegan alternatives for a luscious dairy-free version.
• Low-Carb Swap: Serve this saucy chicken over cauliflower rice instead of jasmine rice for a lighter option that soaks up flavors beautifully.

How to Make Butter Chicken Recipe Crockpot

Step 1: Sauté the Aromatics & Spices

Start by melting the butter in a sauté pan over medium-high heat, then add your diced onion, garlic, ginger, and all those vibrant spices. Let this fragrant mixture cook for 2–3 minutes, stirring frequently—the goal is tender onions and maximum aroma (your kitchen will smell incredible at this point!).

Step 2: Build the Sauce in the Blender

Carefully transfer the sautéed onion-spice mix to your blender, then pour in the tomato sauce, tomato paste, and ¾ cup of heavy cream. Blend until completely smooth—the color should be a gorgeous, rich orange and the texture creamy. This shortcut ensures a silky curry with no lumps.

Step 3: Slow Cook the Chicken

Arrange the whole chicken breasts in the slow cooker insert and pour that luscious sauce right over the top. Make sure the chicken is well coated. Set your crockpot to high and cook for 2½ to 3 hours—the chicken will become incredibly tender and fully infused with flavor.

Step 4: Cut & Thicken

Once the chicken is cooked through, remove the breasts and let them rest for a few moments before slicing into bite-sized, 1-inch pieces. Meanwhile, whisk together the remaining ½ cup of heavy cream and cornstarch to make a slurry. Stir this into the sauce in your slow cooker and watch it thicken within a few minutes—no simmering required!

Step 5: Finish & Serve

Return the bite-sized chicken to your thickened sauce and gently fold to coat each piece without shredding. Serve your butter chicken alongside fluffy jasmine rice, with plenty of sauce, and a flourish of cilantro on top. The Butter Chicken Recipe Crockpot is now ready to make your dinner table feel (and smell!) truly special.

How to Serve Butter Chicken Recipe Crockpot

Garnishes

A bright shower of fresh cilantro is classic and balances the rich flavors, but feel free to get creative—add a drizzle of extra heavy cream, a sprinkle of toasted nuts for crunch, or even a handful of sliced scallions for a gentle zip.

Side Dishes

This Butter Chicken Recipe Crockpot begs for something to scoop and soak up the sauce—think fluffy jasmine rice, garlicky naan, or even warm pita. For a veggie boost, serve with roasted cauliflower or a simple cucumber-tomato salad on the side.

Creative Ways to Present

Try serving your butter chicken in wide shallow bowls with the rice mounded on one side and the chicken cozied up alongside—restaurant style! Or turn it into a cozy rice bowl for meal prep, or even serve it buffet-style so everyone can customize garnishes and sides.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Let leftovers cool fully, then transfer to an airtight container and store them in the fridge for up to 3–4 days. The flavors will develop even more as they sit, so don’t be surprised if you love it even more on day two.

Freezing

Butter Chicken Recipe Crockpot freezes impressively well! Portion the cooled chicken and sauce into freezer-safe bags or containers (leave some room for expansion) and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.

Reheating

To reheat, gently warm the butter chicken on the stovetop over medium-low or in the microwave at half power, stirring occasionally. If the sauce is extra thick, just splash in a bit of water or cream to revive that silky texture.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

If you’re craving something cozy, crowd-pleasing, and downright delicious, you have to try this Butter Chicken Recipe Crockpot. It’s pure comfort food magic made simple, and I just know it’ll find a regular spot at your dinner table. Happy slow cooking!

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