Description
Slow Cooker Chicken Tikka Masala is a warm, comforting Indian-inspired dish featuring tender chicken pieces simmered in a rich, creamy tomato sauce infused with fragrant spices. This easy slow cooker recipe delivers authentic flavors with minimal effort, perfect for busy weeknights and meal prep, offering creamy, mildly spiced comfort food the whole family will enjoy.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Marinade
- 1.5 to 2 lbs chicken thighs, bone-in or boneless
- 1 cup plain Greek yogurt
- 1 tablespoon grated fresh ginger
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 teaspoons garam masala
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon ground coriander
Sauce
- 28 oz (800 g) crushed tomatoes
- 1 large onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon grated fresh ginger
- 1 cup heavy cream or coconut milk
- 3 tablespoons butter or ghee
- 1 teaspoon salt, or to taste
Garnish
- Fresh cilantro, chopped, for garnish
- Extra cream or coconut milk, for drizzling (optional)
Instructions
- Marinate the Chicken: Combine chicken pieces with yogurt, grated ginger, minced garlic, garam masala, cumin, and coriander in a large bowl. Mix thoroughly, ensuring the chicken is well coated. Marinate for at least 30 minutes, preferably overnight, to allow the flavors to deeply penetrate the meat.
- Prepare the Sauce: In a separate bowl, mix crushed tomatoes, heavy cream or coconut milk, melted butter or ghee, and salt. In a skillet, sauté chopped onions, garlic, and grated ginger until translucent and fragrant. Add sautéed aromatics and additional garam masala, cumin, and coriander as desired into the tomato-cream mixture to create a rich sauce base.
- Combine in the Slow Cooker: Place the marinated chicken into the slow cooker. Pour the prepared tomato-cream sauce over the chicken, stirring gently to coat all pieces evenly with the sauce.
- Cook Low and Slow: Cover and cook on low for 5 to 6 hours. This slow cooking tenderizes the chicken and allows the spices to infuse deeply into the sauce for rich flavor development.
- Finish and Garnish: Once cooked, optionally stir in extra cream or butter to enhance creaminess. Sprinkle chopped fresh cilantro over the top before serving for a fresh, vibrant finish.
Notes
- Marinate longer, ideally overnight, for juicier, more flavorful chicken.
- Use fresh, high-quality spices for the best flavor in the slow cooker.
- Greek yogurt is preferred to maintain creaminess and prevent curdling.
- If the sauce is too thin at the end, cook uncovered on high for 30 minutes to thicken.
- Add fresh herbs like cilantro at the very end to preserve flavor and color.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes (plus marinating time)
- Cook Time: 5 to 6 hours
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooker
- Cuisine: Indian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 400
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 28 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 8 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 110 mg