Slow Cooker Butter Chicken

When the day is packed, this Slow Cooker Butter Chicken is an easy, hands-off solution that makes dinner feel effortless. The slow cooker turns boring chicken into an easy, dump-and-go slow weeknight-friendly version using simple pantry ingredients and a few smart techniques.

Love slow cooker chicken? Try Slow Cooker Sweet and Sour Chicken and Slow Cooker Chipotle Honey Chicken.

Set It and Forget It: Creamy Slow Cooker Butter Chicken

Bring the flavors of your favorite Indian restaurant home with this Creamy Slow Cooker Butter Chicken-the ultimate Indian-inspired comfort food! Juicy chicken simmers slowly in a rich, buttery tomato sauce infused with warm spices like garam masala and cumin.

This easy slow cooker recipe transforms simple ingredients into a restaurant-quality curry that's perfect for busy weeknights or cozy weekends. Serve it with basmati rice or naan for a satisfying, flavor-packed meal that's as comforting as it is effortless.

Why You'll Love This Slow Cooker Butter Chicken

• Deep, restaurant-style flavor with very little active cooking time.
• Cozy, creamy sauce that's gently spiced (not overly hot), making it family friendly.
• Flexible, forgiving recipe with plenty of substitutions for dairy-free, lighter, or pantry-only versions.

Key Ingredients (And Why They Matter)

• Boneless, skinless chicken breast, cut into 1-1.5 inch pieces: Chicken breast will become tender, and flavorful even after hours in the slow cooker.
• Onion: Slowly softens and melts into the sauce, adding sweetness and body to balance the acidity of tomato.
• Garlic and ground ginger: Build a fragrant, savory base and add warmth that defines classic butter chicken.
• Tomato base (tomato sauce or tomato paste plus liquid): Provides acidity, color, and depth; the slow cooking mellows any sharpness and concentrates flavor.
• Butter: Adds richness and that signature velvety finish; the fat carries the spices and rounds out the acidity of the tomatoes.
• Heavy cream: Can also use half-and-half, coconut milk, or a mix. Creates the luxurious, silky sauce and tames the spices so the dish is comforting, not harsh.
• Warming spices (garam masala, turmeric, Kashmiri red chili powder, cumin, paprika, chili, etc.): Layer flavor, aroma, and gentle heat; using more than one spice blend adds complexity.
• Touch of sweetness (sugar, honey, or similar): Softens acidity from tomatoes and helps the spices taste round and balanced instead of sharp or bitter.
• Salt: Essential for bringing out the flavors in the tomatoes, dairy, and spices; under-salting is a common reason butter chicken tastes flat.

How To Make Slow Cooker Butter Chicken

1. Saute Onion: If your slow cooker has a sauté function, use that. If not, use a skillet. Melt the butter over medium heat. Add the onion and cook until softened and translucent, about 3-4 minutes. Add the garlic. Sauté for another minute.

2. Add Tomato Paste and Spices: Stir in the tomato paste, ground ginger, garam masala, cumin, turmeric powder, and Kashmiri red chili powder. Cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly.

3. Transfer to Slow Cooker. Transfer the sautéed mixture to the slow cooker. Stir in the tomato sauce, bouillon paste, water, and the sugar into the slow cooker, making sure everything is well combined.

4. Add the chicken to the slow cooker. Stir gently to coat with the sauce.

Season lightly with salt at this stage (you'll adjust more later).

5. Slow Cook. Cover and cook on LOW for 4-6 hours or on HIGH for 2.5-3.5 hours. Chicken breast cooks faster and can dry out if overcooked, so start checking for doneness on the earlier side of the time range. It should be tender and cooked through (internal temperature of 165°F).

6. Add Heavy Cream. Once the chicken is cooked, stir in the heavy cream.  Add more salt if needed.

7. Thicken the Sauce: If the sauce is thinner than you prefer, you can remove the lid and cook on HIGH for another 20-30 minutes to help it reduce. If it's too thick, stir in a little more chicken broth, a tablespoon at a time.

Enjoy!

Pro Tips for Best Flavor and Texture

• Use chicken breasts for the most authentic, juicy result.
• Choose full-fat cream or full-fat coconut milk for the creamiest texture; "light" versions tend to separate and taste thin.
• Cut the chicken into large slices before cooking; cook larger pieces, which keeps the meat tender and prevents it from disintegrating.
• Let the sauce sit on warm for a short time after adding cream so the flavors meld without boiling, which can cause dairy to break.
• Sauteeing the onion with the spices is an optional step if you want your butter chicken  exceptionally flavorful, taking the time to properly build the base of your sauce is key. If you're short on time, you can throw everything in the slow cooker at one time.
• To adjust the heat level, the Kashmiri red chili powder can be substituted; use sweet or smoked paprika for a milder flavor with less spice, or for a significant increase in heat, consider using a pinch of cayenne pepper, adjusting to your preference.

Why is my slow cooker butter chicken watery?

• The slow cooker traps steam, so your sauce naturally gets thinner as the chicken releases juices.
• Too much broth or added water also dilutes the tomato and cream base, especially if you use chicken breasts, which release more liquid.
• To Fix: Turn the slow cooker to high, remove the lid, and let the sauce simmer 20-30 minutes to reduce and thicken.
• Add a splash of cream, half‑and‑half, or full‑fat coconut milk at the end to bring back body and richness.

Why did my butter chicken sauce split or look curdled?

• Adding cream or yogurt too early, then cooking on high heat, often causes dairy to separate and look grainy or oily.
• Yogurt especially can curdle if stirred into boiling hot sauce or left to simmer for too long.
• Easy fixes (today): Take the insert off the heat and let it cool a few minutes, then whisk in a bit more cream or coconut milk to emulsify and smooth the sauce.
• Blend a cup or two of the sauce (with an immersion blender or regular blender), then stir it back in to disguise curdling and improve texture.
• Next time: Stir in cream, yogurt, or coconut milk right at the end on low heat or after turning the slow cooker off, then let the residual heat warm it through.
• Temper yogurt by whisking some warm sauce into it first, then adding that mixture back to the pot.

Serving Suggestions

Slow cooker butter chicken shines when paired with simple, soak-it-all-up sides.

• Basmati rice: The classic, aromatic partner that catches every bit of the sauce.
• Naan or flatbread: Perfect for scooping up the creamy curry and wiping the bowl clean. Also good with Dutch Oven Bread and Fluffy Condensed Milk Bread.
• Cauliflower rice or Slow Cooker Sweet Creamed Corn: A lighter, lower-carb alternative that still works beautifully with the rich sauce.
• Perfect with Simple sides: Mango Avocado Salad, Honey Roasted Carrots, or green beans to cut through the richness and add freshness.

Storage

Allow leftovers to cool completely before transferring it to an airtight container. It can be kept in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.

• To freeze, portion the chicken into freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags, and it will maintain good quality for up to 2-3 months. When you're ready to enjoy it again, thaw frozen butter chicken overnight in the fridge.
• To reheat, gently warm it in a saucepan on the stovetop over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, until it's heated through; you may need to add a splash of water, broth, or cream if the sauce has thickened too much during storage or reheating. Alternatively, individual portions can be reheated in the microwave, covered, stirring partway through.

More slow cooker recipes

• Slow Cooker Chicken Thighs
• Easy Slow Cooker Pot Roast
• Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken Thighs