Slow-Cooker Butter Chicken Recipe You’ll Ever Try

Crafting a mouthwatering slow-cooker butter chicken recipe brings comfort to your kitchen in ways you never expected.

Fragrant spices swirl through tender chicken, creating a symphony of flavors that dance on your palate.

Indian culinary traditions merge seamlessly with modern convenience, turning an ordinary meal into an extraordinary experience.

Creamy tomato sauce coats each morsel with rich, velvety goodness that melts in your mouth.

Minimal prep work means maximum enjoyment, letting you spend less time cooking and more time savoring.

Forget complicated techniques and embrace this simple, soul-warming dish that promises to become a staple in your meal rotation.

One bite will transport you to a world of delectable warmth and satisfaction.

Slow-Cooker Butter Chicken That’s Full of Flavor

• Effortlessly create a delicious meal with minimal prep time and hands-off cooking in a slow cooker.
• Blend sweet, savory, and slightly spicy notes with peanut butter, soy sauce, and red pepper flakes for a crowd-pleasing dish.
• Prepare a hearty protein-packed meal that feeds the whole family and creates easy leftovers for quick lunches or next-day dinners.
• Swap chicken types, adjust spice levels, and choose different garnishes to match personal preferences and dietary needs.

Slow-Cooker Butter Chicken Ingredients List

• Chicken Thighs, Chicken Breasts: Juicy and tender meat that absorbs the rich sauce, with thighs offering more flavor and breasts providing a leaner option.

• Peanut Butter: Creamy base that adds richness and depth to the sauce, creating a smooth and nutty flavor profile.
• Soy Sauce: Provides a salty and umami foundation that enhances the overall taste of the dish.
• Coconut Milk: Adds creaminess and a subtle tropical sweetness to balance the savory elements.

• Rice Vinegar: Brings a light tanginess that cuts through the richness of the sauce.
• Honey: Adds a natural sweetness and helps to balance the salty and spicy components.
• Garlic: Fresh and aromatic ingredient that provides a robust flavor base.
• Ginger: Adds a warm, slightly spicy note that complements the other ingredients.
• Crushed Red Pepper Flakes: Introduces a gentle heat and slight kick to the dish.

• Green Onions, Cilantro: Fresh herbs that add brightness and color to the final presentation.
• Peanuts: Crunchy topping that provides textural contrast and additional nutty flavor.

• Rice, Noodles: Neutral base that soaks up the delicious sauce and completes the meal.

How to Make Slow-Cooker Butter Chicken Easily

Step 1: Create Aromatic Sauce

• Greek yogurt
• Tomato paste
• Garam masala
• Ground cumin
• Ground turmeric
• Paprika
• Minced garlic
• Fresh ginger
• Salt
• Black pepper

Whisk ingredients until smooth and well combined, creating a rich, fragrant base for the chicken.

Step 2: Prepare Chicken

Place chicken pieces into the slow cooker, ensuring they are evenly spread across the bottom of the pot.

Pour the prepared sauce over the chicken, carefully coating each piece completely.

Step 3: Slow Cook To Perfection

Cover the slow cooker and set to low heat.

Cook for 6-7 hours or on high heat for 3-4 hours until chicken becomes incredibly tender and easily falls apart.

Step 4: Finish The Dish

Gently shred the chicken using two forks directly in the slow cooker.

Stir the shredded chicken to fully incorporate with the sauce.

Add heavy cream or butter for extra richness if desired.

Step 5: Serve And Garnish

Transfer to serving dish.

• Fresh chopped cilantro
• Sliced green onions
• Toasted cashews

Serve alongside steamed basmati rice or warm naan bread.

Cooking Tips for Slow-Cooker Butter Chicken Richness

• Customize Protein Selection: Choose boneless, skinless chicken thighs for richer flavor or lean chicken breasts for a lighter option, ensuring consistent tenderness throughout cooking.
• Control Spice Levels: Adjust crushed red pepper flakes according to your heat preference- reduce for mild palates or increase for a spicier kick that tingles your taste buds.
• Perfect Sauce Consistency: Whisk sauce ingredients thoroughly to prevent separation and create a smooth, well-integrated coating that clings beautifully to the chicken.
• Enhance Flavor Depth: Toast peanuts before garnishing to release their natural oils and add a deeper, nuttier dimension to the final dish, elevating the overall taste profile.
• Meal Prep Friendly: Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days, or freeze for convenient future meals that reheat wonderfully with minimal effort.

Storing and Reheating Slow-Cooker Butter Chicken

• Store leftover butter chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days, keeping the meat moist and flavors intact.
• Transfer cooled chicken to freezer-safe containers or bags, removing excess air, and freeze for up to 3 months without losing quality.
• Warm gently in a skillet over medium-low heat, adding a splash of coconut milk to prevent drying and maintain saucy consistency.
• Heat in short 30-second intervals, stirring between each to distribute heat evenly and prevent rubbery chicken texture.

Pairings for Slow-Cooker Butter Chicken Meals

• Select a slightly sweet Riesling wine that balances the rich, spicy flavors of the butter chicken, cutting through the creamy peanut sauce with bright, refreshing acidity.
• Prepare a quick cucumber salad with fresh herbs, a touch of rice vinegar, and a sprinkle of salt to provide a light, crisp contrast to the heavy, warm chicken dish.
• Cook jasmine rice with a hint of butter and toasted sesame seeds to complement the nutty peanut sauce and absorb the delicious cooking liquid from the chicken.
• Brew a cold Thai iced tea with sweetened condensed milk, offering a creamy, sweet counterpoint that echoes the richness of the slow-cooker chicken while providing a cooling effect.

Variations to Try with Slow-Cooker Butter Chicken

• Dairy-Free Delight: Replace coconut milk with almond milk or unsweetened oat milk for a lighter dairy-free option.
• Vegetarian Version: Swap chicken with firm tofu or chickpeas, adjusting cooking time to prevent overcooking plant-based proteins.
• Spice-Lovers' Kick: Add extra sriracha or jalapeños to increase heat level for those who enjoy bold, spicy flavors.
• Gluten-Free Option: Use tamari instead of soy sauce and ensure all ingredients are certified gluten-free to accommodate sensitive diets.

Butter Chicken FAQs for Slow-Cooker Users

• Can I use a different type of nut butter?

Yes, almond butter or cashew butter work great as substitutes for peanut butter in this recipe, providing similar creamy texture and rich flavor.

• Is this recipe spicy?

The crushed red pepper flakes add a mild heat, but you can adjust the amount or omit them entirely to control the spice level according to your preference.

• Can I make this recipe dairy-free?

The recipe is already dairy-free. Coconut milk provides creaminess, and other ingredients are naturally dairy-free, making it suitable for dairy-sensitive diets.

• What kind of chicken works best?

Chicken thighs are recommended for their tenderness and ability to absorb flavors, but boneless, skinless chicken breasts can also be used successfully in this slow-cooker recipe.

Slow-Cooker Butter Chicken Recipe

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4.6 from 17 reviews

• Total Time: 6 hours 10 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Succulent butter chicken embraces Indian culinary traditions with tender, spice-laden chicken simmering in a luxurious creamy sauce. Warm aromas and complex flavors invite home cooks to savor this comforting dish that brings authentic restaurant-style magic directly to your kitchen.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Proteins:

• 1.5 pounds (680 grams) boneless, skinless chicken thighs

Sauces and Liquids:

• ½ cup creamy peanut butter
• ¼ cup low-sodium soy sauce
• ¼ cup coconut milk
• 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
• 1 tablespoon honey

Aromatics and Spices:

• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon grated ginger
• ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes

Garnish:

• ¼ cup chopped peanuts
• 2 green onions, chopped
• Fresh cilantro, chopped

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Instructions

1. Craft a silky, aromatic sauce by vigorously whisking together tangy peanut butter, umami-rich soy sauce, creamy coconut milk, zesty rice vinegar, golden honey, pungent minced garlic, spicy grated ginger, and fiery crushed red pepper flakes until the mixture achieves a luxurious, uniform consistency.
2. Nestle plump chicken thighs or breasts into the slow cooker’s ceramic basin, then lavishly cascade the prepared peanut sauce over the protein, meticulously ensuring each piece is thoroughly bathed and coated.
3. Secure the slow cooker’s lid and allow the contents to gently simmer and meld flavors – on low setting for 6-7 hours or high setting for 3-4 hours – until the chicken transforms into tender, easily pierced morsels.
4. After cooking, deploy two forks to systematically deconstruct the chicken into succulent, sauce-saturated strands, stirring thoroughly to guarantee uniform sauce distribution and maximize flavor integration.
5. Present the lustrous, shredded chicken atop a bed of fluffy rice or tender noodles, then elevate the dish by scattering a vibrant garnish of crunchy chopped peanuts, verdant green onions, and fresh, aromatic cilantro.

Notes

• Swap chicken thighs for tofu or tempeh to create a delicious vegetarian version that maintains the rich, creamy sauce profile.
• Reduce honey or use a sugar-free alternative like stevia for a low-carb and diabetic-friendly adaptation.
• Control spice levels by adjusting crushed red pepper flakes, allowing personalization for heat-sensitive palates.
• Prep sauce ingredients the night before and store in a sealed container to save morning cooking time and enhance flavor marination.

• 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: 4
• Calories: 500
• Sugar: 6 g
• Sodium: 550 mg
• Fat: 30 g
• Saturated Fat: 9 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 22 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 35 g
• Cholesterol: 120 mg