Description
A rich, creamy, and flavorful butter chicken recipe made easy in the crockpot, perfect for busy weeknights and family dinners.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 large onion, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon grated fresh ginger
- 1 ½ cups canned tomato sauce
- ½ cup heavy cream
- 1 tablespoon garam masala
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon chili powder (adjust to taste)
- ½ teaspoon ground turmeric
- Salt to taste
- Black pepper to taste
- 1 tablespoon honey
- Fresh cilantro for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Prep your ingredients: chop the onion finely, mince the garlic, grate the ginger, and cut chicken thighs into bite-sized pieces if needed.
- Heat 2 tablespoons of butter in a skillet over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and cook until translucent and starting to brown, about 5 minutes. Add garlic and ginger and sauté for 2-3 minutes until fragrant.
- Stir in garam masala, cumin, chili powder, turmeric, salt, and pepper. Toast the spices for about 1 minute, stirring constantly.
- Transfer the sautéed mixture to the crockpot. Add the chicken pieces on top, then pour the tomato sauce over everything. Stir gently to combine.
- Cover and cook on low for 4 to 6 hours or on high for 2 to 3 hours until the chicken is tender and cooked through.
- About 15 minutes before serving, stir in the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter, heavy cream, and honey. Mix well and let heat through.
- Garnish with chopped fresh cilantro and serve hot over steamed basmati rice or with warm naan bread.
Notes
Sautéing the onions and spices before adding to the crockpot adds deeper flavor. Use chicken thighs for juiciness and tenderness. Adjust spice levels to taste. Butter added at the end gives a glossy, rich sauce. If sauce is too thick, add water or chicken broth; if too thin, cook uncovered on high for 15-20 minutes to reduce. For dairy-free, substitute butter with coconut oil and heavy cream with full-fat coconut milk.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 4 to 6 hours
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Indian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: About 1 cup
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 5
- Sodium: 400
- Fat: 22
- Saturated Fat: 14
- Carbohydrates: 8
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 30
Keywords: butter chicken, crockpot recipe, slow cooker, family dinner, easy dinner, creamy chicken, Indian cuisine