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.
Ingredients
Scale
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
Instructions
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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