Discover a creamy, flavorful Slow Cooker Chicken Korma with Coconut Sauce recipe that’s simple, comforting, and perfect for busy nights. This dish combines tender chicken simmered in a rich coconut-based curry with aromatic spices that blend effortlessly in your slow cooker. Whether you’re a seasoned cook or a beginner, this Slow Cooker Chicken Korma with Coconut Sauce offers an easy, flavorful meal that fills your home with irresistible warmth and invites everyone to sit down and savor every bite.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Convenient Cooking: Toss all the ingredients in your slow cooker and let it do the work while you relax or focus on other things.
- Rich Flavor Profile: The combination of creamy coconut sauce and traditional Indian spices creates a mouthwatering taste that delights your palate.
- Perfectly Tender Chicken: Slow cooking ensures the chicken is juicy, tender, and infused with every bit of the delicious sauce.
- Family Friendly: This recipe is mild enough for kids but flavorful enough for adults, making it a hit for everyone around the table.
- Versatile Serving Options: Enjoy it with rice, naan, or lightly steamed veggies to suit your mood and cravings.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Each ingredient in this Slow Cooker Chicken Korma with Coconut Sauce is simple yet vital for achieving the perfect balance of creamy texture, vibrant color, and bold flavor. From fresh spices to rich coconut milk, every item is carefully chosen to make this dish shine.
- Chicken thighs: Use boneless, skinless thighs for tender, juicy meat that absorbs flavors beautifully.
- Coconut milk: The base of the sauce, adding richness and subtle sweetness that balances the spices.
- Greek yogurt: Enhances creaminess and adds a subtle tang for depth.
- Onions: Finely chopped to provide natural sweetness and texture in the curry.
- Garlic and ginger paste: Fresh or store-bought, these add vibrant, aromatic notes essential to the korma’s character.
- Ground spices: Including cumin, coriander, turmeric, and garam masala to create the authentic curry flavor.
- Tomato paste: Adds a hint of acidity and richness that enhances the sauce’s complexity.
- Vegetable oil or ghee: Helps fry the onions and spices for a flavorful base.
- Salt and pepper: Essential for seasoning and balancing the dish.
- Fresh cilantro: Optional garnish for a touch of color and freshness.
Variations for Slow Cooker Chicken Korma with Coconut Sauce
This Slow Cooker Chicken Korma with Coconut Sauce recipe is incredibly adaptable, so feel free to adjust ingredients to match your taste preferences or dietary needs. Experimenting with variations makes this dish your own personal favorite.
- Vegetarian version: Replace chicken with chickpeas or paneer for a hearty, plant-based option.
- Spice level adjustment: Add fresh green chilies or cayenne pepper for extra heat or omit chili for a milder curry.
- Nut-free version: Skip any nut garnishes and use coconut cream for extra richness if needed.
- Extra veggies: Toss in potatoes, carrots, or peas before cooking to make the meal more substantial.
- Lightened-up option: Use light coconut milk and Greek yogurt with reduced fat for a healthier take.
How to Make Slow Cooker Chicken Korma with Coconut Sauce
Step 1: Prepare the Aromatic Base
Heat oil or ghee in a skillet and sauté finely chopped onions until golden brown. Add garlic and ginger paste, cooking until fragrant to build a rich foundation for the curry sauce.
Step 2: Add Spices and Tomato Paste
Stir in the ground cumin, coriander, turmeric, and garam masala, toasting them slightly to release their flavors. Mix in tomato paste, cooking for a few more minutes to deepen the sauce’s complexity.
Step 3: Transfer to Slow Cooker and Add Chicken
Place the seared onion-spice mixture in the slow cooker. Add the chicken thighs, pouring the coconut milk and Greek yogurt over the top, then season with salt and pepper. Stir gently to combine without breaking up the chicken.
Step 4: Slow Cook Until Tender
Cover and cook on low for 6 to 8 hours or high for 3 to 4 hours until the chicken is tender and the sauce is thickened and creamy.
Step 5: Final Seasoning and Serve
Taste and adjust seasoning with salt or more spices if needed. Garnish with fresh cilantro before serving over basmati rice or with warm naan bread.
Pro Tips for Making Slow Cooker Chicken Korma with Coconut Sauce
- Use chicken thighs: They stay juicy and tender better than breast meat in slow cooking.
- Brown onions first: Enhances depth of flavor and prevents raw onion taste in the final dish.
- Choose full-fat coconut milk: For a richer, creamier sauce that perfectly complements the spices.
- Avoid over-stirring: Gently mix ingredients to keep the chicken intact and the sauce nicely textured.
- Slow cook on low: For the best tenderness and flavor development, low and slow is the way to go.
How to Serve Slow Cooker Chicken Korma with Coconut Sauce
Garnishes
Fresh cilantro leaves and a sprinkle of toasted slivered almonds or cashews add a vibrant finish and delightful crunch to the creamy curry.
Side Dishes
Basmati rice or fragrant jasmine rice pair perfectly by soaking up the luscious sauce, while warm naan or roti breads are perfect for scooping every last bite.
Creative Ways to Present
Serve in rustic bowls with a dollop of cooling raita or a squeeze of fresh lime juice on top for an added zing. For a colorful twist, add finely sliced red onions or cucumber salad on the side.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Place leftover chicken korma in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days to keep flavors fresh and vibrant.
Freezing
This dish freezes beautifully; store in freezer-safe containers for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
Reheating
Gently reheat on the stovetop over low heat, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking, or microwave in short intervals, ensuring the chicken stays tender and sauce creamy.
FAQs
Can I use chicken breast instead of thighs?
Yes, but chicken breast can dry out more easily during slow cooking, so keep an eye on the cooking time or add it later to prevent overcooking.
Is this recipe spicy?
This Slow Cooker Chicken Korma with Coconut Sauce is mild by default but can be easily adjusted with extra chili or cayenne if you prefer more heat.
Can I make this recipe vegan?
Absolutely! Replace chicken with tofu or vegetables and swap the yogurt for coconut cream or a plant-based yogurt to keep the creamy texture.
What should I serve with this korma?
Traditional sides like basmati rice, naan bread, or steamed vegetables complement the dish well and balance the rich, creamy sauce.
How long does it take to cook in the slow cooker?
On low setting, typically 6 to 8 hours, or 3 to 4 hours on high, until the chicken is tender and the sauce has thickened.
Final Thoughts
Giving this Slow Cooker Chicken Korma with Coconut Sauce a try is a delicious way to bring warm, comforting flavors into your home with minimum fuss. Its creamy, spiced sauce combined with tender chicken is guaranteed to become a favorite weeknight dinner that you’ll want to make again and again. So, fire up your slow cooker and get ready to enjoy a dish that’s truly satisfying and bursting with flavor!
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Slow Cooker Chicken Korma with Coconut Sauce
- Total Time: 6 hours 15 minutes to 8 hours 15 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
Discover a creamy and flavorful Slow Cooker Chicken Korma with Coconut Sauce that is easy to prepare and perfect for busy weeknights. Tender chicken thighs are slow-cooked in a rich coconut milk-based curry infused with authentic Indian spices, resulting in a comforting and aromatic dish that the whole family will love. Serve with basmati rice, naan, or steamed vegetables for a complete and satisfying meal.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs
- 1 can (13.5 oz) full-fat coconut milk
- 1/2 cup Greek yogurt
- 2 medium onions, finely chopped
- 2 tbsp garlic and ginger paste
- 1 tbsp ground cumin
- 1 tbsp ground coriander
- 1 tsp turmeric powder
- 2 tsp garam masala
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil or ghee
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
Optional Garnishes and Extras
- Fresh cilantro leaves, for garnish
- Toasted slivered almonds or cashews, for garnish
- Additional vegetables like potatoes, carrots, or peas (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the Aromatic Base: Heat the vegetable oil or ghee in a skillet over medium heat. Add the finely chopped onions and sauté until they turn golden brown. Stir in the garlic and ginger paste and cook for another 1-2 minutes until fragrant, creating a rich flavor base for the curry.
- Add Spices and Tomato Paste: Mix in the ground cumin, coriander, turmeric, and garam masala. Toast the spices for about 1 minute to release their aromas. Then, stir in the tomato paste and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes to deepen the sauce’s flavor.
- Transfer to Slow Cooker and Add Chicken: Transfer the sautéed onion-spice mixture into the slow cooker. Add the boneless, skinless chicken thighs. Pour the coconut milk and Greek yogurt over the chicken, then season with salt and black pepper. Gently stir to combine the ingredients without breaking up the chicken pieces.
- Slow Cook Until Tender: Cover and cook on the low setting for 6 to 8 hours or on high for 3 to 4 hours, until the chicken is tender and the sauce has thickened and become creamy.
- Final Seasoning and Serve: Taste the curry and adjust seasoning with additional salt or spices as needed. Garnish with fresh cilantro and toasted nuts if desired. Serve hot over basmati rice or with warm naan bread.
Notes
- Use chicken thighs rather than breasts for juicier, more tender meat after slow cooking.
- Browning the onions first enriches the flavor and prevents any raw onion taste.
- Opt for full-fat coconut milk to ensure a rich and creamy sauce.
- Avoid over-stirring the slow cooker contents to keep chicken pieces intact and sauce texture smooth.
- Slow cooking on low is recommended for optimal tenderness and flavor development.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 6 to 8 hours (slow cooker low) or 3 to 4 hours (slow cooker high)
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: Indian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 350 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 22 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 10 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg
