Description
Creamy, aromatic butter chicken emerges as a delightful journey through Indian culinary traditions, bringing comfort and rich flavors to your dinner table. Tender chicken simmered in a velvety tomato-based sauce promises a satisfying meal you’ll savor with every delectable bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 1 ½ lbs (680g) boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts, cut into chunks
Main Vegetables and Aromatics:
- 1 small onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated
Sauce and Spices:
- 1 can (14 ounces/400g) tomato sauce (or pureed tomatoes)
- 1 cup heavy cream (or coconut milk for dairy-free option)
- 3 tablespoons butter (or ghee)
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon garam masala
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon ground coriander
- ½ teaspoon turmeric
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon chili powder (optional, for heat)
- ½ teaspoon salt (adjust to taste)
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Serving Suggestions:
- Cooked basmati rice or naan bread
- Fresh cilantro, chopped
- Extra butter or ghee for drizzling (optional)
Instructions
- Nestle trimmed chicken pieces into the slow cooker’s base, layering them with finely diced onions, minced garlic, and freshly grated ginger for a robust flavor foundation.
- Drizzle tomato sauce and paste over the chicken, ensuring complete coverage with a thorough coating technique that distributes flavors evenly.
- Splash tangy lemon juice across the mixture, creating a bright acidic undertone that will tenderize the meat during slow cooking.
- Sprinkle a harmonious blend of aromatic spices – including garam masala, cumin, and turmeric – massaging them gently into the chicken to maximize flavor penetration.
- Cover the slow cooker and set to low heat, allowing the ingredients to meld and transform over 4-6 hours into a rich, creamy sauce that infuses every chicken morsel.
- Thirty minutes before serving, stir in heavy cream to create a luxurious, silky texture that elevates the dish’s overall complexity and visual appeal.
- Once cooking completes, gently shred or slice the chicken, ensuring each piece is lavishly coated in the luxurious, spice-laden sauce.
- Garnish with freshly chopped cilantro and serve alongside fluffy basmati rice or warm naan bread to complement the dish’s intricate flavor profile.
Notes
- Marinate chicken beforehand in yogurt and spices for deeper, more intense flavor absorption.
- Choose boneless, skinless chicken thighs for extra tenderness and richness compared to chicken breasts.
- Adjust spice levels by reducing or increasing garam masala and cayenne pepper according to personal heat preference.
- For a lighter version, substitute heavy cream with coconut milk or Greek yogurt to lower calories and create a dairy-free alternative.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 4-6 hours
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: Indian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 640
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 48g
- Saturated Fat: 29g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16g
- Trans Fat: 1g
- Carbohydrates: 18g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 34g
- Cholesterol: 150mg