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Crockpot Butter Chicken

Crockpot Butter Chicken: Easy, Creamy Comfort Food at Home

Crockpot Butter Chicken is an easy, creamy comfort food recipe that's perfect for a cozy night in.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 3 hours
Total Time 3 hours 10 minutes
Course main dish
Cuisine Indian
Servings 4 servings
Calories 640 kcal

Equipment

  • Slow Cooker
  • Nonstick Pan

Ingredients
  

Base Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon coconut oil *or olive oil*
  • 1 large yellow onion *finely diced (1-½ cups)*
  • 1 tablespoon ginger paste *see note 1*
  • 1 tablespoon minced garlic
  • 1.25 teaspoons smoked paprika
  • 1.25 teaspoons ground cumin
  • 1.25 teaspoons ground turmeric
  • 1.25 teaspoons salt [see ingredient link](https://urlgeni.us/amazon/cmaallpurposesalt)
  • 2.25 teaspoons garam masala *see note 2*
  • ⅛ teaspoon red pepper flakes *optional*
  • 1 teaspoon sugar *optional*
  • 1 14.5-ounce can diced tomatoes *or crushed; fire-roasted is delicious*
  • 2 pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs *see note 3*
  • 8 tablespoons unsalted butter *sliced into tablespoons*
  • ½ cup heavy cream
  • ⅓ cup finely chopped cilantro *optional*

For Serving

  • Naan *warmed, for serving, see note 4*
  • Cooked rice *for serving*

Instructions
 

Cooking Steps

  • Heat a large nonstick pan over medium-high heat. Add the oil, and once hot, sauté onion, garlic, and ginger, stirring occasionally, until golden (3–6 minutes). Add all the spices and stir constantly for 1–3 minutes until fragrant. Stir in the tomatoes, scraping the bottom of the pan, and let the mixture cool slightly. Transfer to the slow cooker.
  • Trim large pieces of fat and gristle from chicken thighs but leave some fat for added flavor. Add the chicken to the slow cooker and stir to coat in the sauce. Arrange thighs in a single layer, smooth side down. Cover and cook on high for 2-½–4 hours or low for 4–6 hours, until the chicken reaches 165°F.
  • Remove the chicken and chop it into bite-sized pieces. Use an immersion blender (or transfer sauce to a regular blender) to purée the sauce until smooth (see Note 5).
  • Return blended sauce to the slow cooker. Stir in the butter and heavy cream until fully combined and smooth.
  • Add chopped chicken back into the sauce. Stir in cilantro (if using) and adjust seasoning as needed. Serve hot with rice and naan.

Notes

Pre-prepared ginger and garlic paste saves time. Garam masala is critical for flavor—don’t skip it! Chicken thighs are ideal as they stay juicy and tender. Use any type of rice for ease. Warm naan properly before serving.

Nutrition

Serving: 1servingCalories: 640kcalCarbohydrates: 10.83gProtein: 32gFat: 39gSaturated Fat: 20gPolyunsaturated Fat: 3gMonounsaturated Fat: 15gCholesterol: 423mgSodium: 3329mgPotassium: 178mgFiber: 2gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 2409IUVitamin C: 55mgCalcium: 688mgIron: 36mg
Keyword Comfort Food, Creamy Chicken, Crockpot Butter Chicken, easy recipe, Slow Cooker
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