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Slow Cooker Indian Butter Chicken

Liz DellaCroce Avatar

LIZ DELLA CROCE

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This Slow Cooker Indian Butter Chicken gets a healthy makeover in this quick and easy slow cooker recipe packed with warm spices like garam masala, cumin and fenugreek.

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prep time15 minutes

Liz squeezing lime on indian butter chicken

Some of my favorite days are where dinner is prepped or cooking away in the slow cooker before lunch. There’s just something about making dinner so early that it makes me feel so accomplished. Is it just me or do you feel this way, too?

indian butter chicken closeup

Whether it’s a quick prep on a weekday morning before school or if I spend some extra time smashing intoxicating spices from around the world with my mortar and pestle on a weekend, having this dish in the crockpot all day is simply the best.

Liz cutting cauliflower

When it comes to healthy eating on a budget, I always recommend stretching more expensive ingredients (i.e. organic chicken breasts) with inexpensive, filling vegetables like broccoli, kale or, in this case, cauliflower.

indian butter chicken plated

Curries, soups, pastas and stir-fries are ideal for this because you can really stretch a pound of meat to feed a crowd.

How to Make Indian Butter Chicken

adding spices to slow cooker

I personally think it makes a big difference grinding the spices myself. Plus, I just really enjoy it. If that’s not your thing, you can absolutely get these spices already ground at the store.

whisking indian butter chicken in crock pot

Whisking the yogurt, coconut milk, and spices together before adding the chicken and cauliflower helps ensure the flavors are even.

cubing chicken

I like to cube my chicken raw before adding to the slow cooker, but you can add them whole and cut or shred later.

adding ingredients for indian butter chicken to slow cooker

Now for the best part of a slow cooker meal – set it and forget it! You can easily freeze and save for later or set your crockpot on low for 8 hours. Stir in your green peas (or any other green veggie will do) right before serving so they don’t get mushy.

indian butter chicken vertical hero

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Indian Butter Chicken?

Chicken Makhani (aka Indian Butter Chicken) is a classic Indian dish developed in the 1950s by restaurant owners in India. They combined tomato gravy, rich in butter and cream, with leftover tandoori chicken.

Is Indian Butter Chicken spicy?

It can be. You can adjust the level of heat by reducing or increasing the amount of cayenne.

Can I substitute Indian chili powder?

Cayenne and Indian chili powder are pretty similar, and cayenne is more readily available. If you have Indian chili powder already, however, then I recommend using that instead of cayenne. It’ll add a more smoky flavor than just the cayenne can provide, making it taste more like tandoori chicken.

What if I don’t have all those spices?

That’s okay – you can skip a few and still get a super flavorful dish. A little curry powder goes a long way.

indian butter chicken vertical hero

Warm, aromatic, slightly spicy and totally satisfying, this healthier Slow Cooker Indian Butter Chicken with Cauliflower is ideal for busy weeknights. To save even more time during the dinner rush, we love using Trader Joe’s frozen brown rice but you could even skip the rice and pick up some naan bread at the store.

Liz eating indian butter chicken

Your fork is waiting.

Have you tried my


Slow Cooker Indian Butter Chicken?

Leave a 🌟 star rating and let us know how you liked it in the 📝 comments and share it on Instagram, Facebook & Pinterest.

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indian butter chicken vertical hero

Slow Cooker Indian Butter Chicken

Liz Della Croce
4.75 stars average
This Slow Cooker Indian Butter Chicken gets a healthy makeover in this quick and easy slow cooker recipe packed with warm spices like garam masala, cumin and fenugreek.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 4 hours
Total Time 4 hours 15 minutes
CourseMain Dish
Serves4

Ingredients
 
 

  • 1 pound chicken breasts cubed
  • 1 in head cauliflower cut florets
  • 15 ounce can coconut milk light
  • 1 cup whole milk plain yogurt
  • ¼ cup tomato paste
  • 2 tablespoons coconut oil melted
  • 2 tablespoons ginger root minced
  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice
  • 1 tablespoon red curry paste
  • 1 tablespoon curry powder
  • 1 tablespoon ground turmeric
  • 1 tablespoon garam masala
  • 1 ½ teaspoons salt
  • ½ teaspoon cayenne optional
  • 1 teaspoon cumin seeds
  • 1 teaspoon fenugreek seeds
  • 5 green cardamom pods
  • 1 cup green peas fresh or frozen
  • prepared brown rice cucumber raita and fresh cilantro – to serve

Instructions
 

  1. Place cubed chicken and cauliflower florets in the bottom of your slow cooker.
  2. In a medium bowl, whisk together next 12 ingredients (coconut milk through cayenne.)
  3. Lastly, using a mortar and pestle or a spice grinder, crush together the cumin seeds, fenugreek and cardamom pods. Add to the yogurt mixture and whisk to combine.
  4. Pour spiced yogurt mixture into the slow cooker and stir until chicken and cauliflower is evenly coated.
  5. Heat on Low for 8 hours or High for 4 hours.
  6. Five minutes before you’re ready to serve, stir in green peas. Serve over brown rice with cucumber raita and fresh cilantro if you wish.

Liz’s Notes

Don’t worry if you’re missing a spice or two. A little curry powder goes a long way!

Nutrition

Calories: 358kcal | Carbohydrates: 22.9g | Protein: 32.2g | Fat: 18g | Saturated Fat: 12.8g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 5.2g | Cholesterol: 69mg | Sodium: 1225mg | Fiber: 7.2g | Sugar: 9.7g

Have you tried my


Slow Cooker Indian Butter Chicken?

Leave a 🌟 star rating and let us know how you liked it in the 📝 comments and share it on Instagram, Facebook & Pinterest.

We love hearing from you! This helps us continue to provide free, high-quality recipes.


4.75 from 4 votes (2 ratings without comment)

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46 responses to “Slow Cooker Indian Butter Chicken”

  1. Rebekah Avatar
    Rebekah

    Do you think I could use plain almond milk yogurt or coconut yogurt in this to make it dairy free?

    1. Liz DellaCroce Avatar
      Liz DellaCroce

      Yes definitely! I’d recommend using coconut personally.

  2. PETRA Avatar
    PETRA

    Hi, what is red curry paste, do not think I have ever heard of it.

    1. Liz DellaCroce Avatar
      Liz DellaCroce

      Red curry paste is a Thai ingredient made with lemon grass but you can skip it.

  3. Katie | Healthy Seasonal Recipes Avatar
    Katie | Healthy Seasonal Recipes

    I forgot to rate in my last comment. Definitely 5 stars for sure!

    1. Liz DellaCroce Avatar
      Liz DellaCroce

      Thank you so much friend!!

  4. Katie | Healthy Seasonal Recipes Avatar
    Katie | Healthy Seasonal Recipes

    We loved this Liz! My younger daughter (age 12) was worried it was too hot. I reassured her it wasn’t (I didn’t use the cayenne) and she ended up eating her entire portion. It was a win all around and I loved all the veggies! Thank you for the great recipe and inspiration for an easy dinner.

    1. Liz DellaCroce Avatar
      Liz DellaCroce

      Ahhh this makes me so happy Katie!! So glad you enjoyed it!

  5. Ben J Avatar
    Ben J

    We make this wonderful recipe all the time – it’s a family favourite and even the 3-year-old loves it! (We cut down on the cayenne if he’s joining us – though he’s getting a taste for really spicy food now.)

    We make a couple of customisations: slice 4 cloves of garlic and fry in a little coconut/vegetable oil for 30 seconds till just coloured – throw those in with the cauliflower & chicken. With the whole spices (cumin, cardamom pods & fenugreek), dry-fry those for a few seconds till aromatic before pestle & mortaring, and finally, stir in a handful of finely chopped coriander (cilantro) with the peas at the end. Utterly delicious!

    1. Liz DellaCroce Avatar
      Liz DellaCroce

      Ohhh yes i love the idea of using cardamom pods and fenugreek!!!!

  6. April Van den Hoven Avatar
    April Van den Hoven

    I love indian food but a mild version how can I cut down on the spices in this recipe but still have that authentic indian taste.One of my favorites is Mango chicken which we buy regularly.

    1. Liz DellaCroce Avatar
      Liz DellaCroce

      Just cut the spices down by 50% OR add mango! The sweetness would mellow the flavors!

  7. Stephanie Avatar
    Stephanie

    I was wondering if the rice is included in the nutrition fact you have listed or if they are for the chicken and cauliflower alone. Looks delicious, thank you!

    1. Liz DellaCroce Avatar
      Liz DellaCroce

      Hi Stephanie – No the rice is not included so please add that in when calculating. :)

  8. Kristen Avatar
    Kristen

    Will Greek yogurt work just as well instead of the plain?

    1. Liz DellaCroce Avatar
      Liz DellaCroce

      Yes it should be just fine but I’ve never tried it so please let me know!

  9. Becky Avatar
    Becky

    This sounds great! Quick question: I have all of the spices, but they’re already in powder form. I know freshly ground is better, but I’d prefer not to purchase the seeds/pods and don’t own a mortar & pestle yet. How much of the 3 spices do you recommend when using ground (like how much do you estimate those amounts of seeds/pods produce when ground)? Thanks!

    1. Liz DellaCroce Avatar
      Liz DellaCroce

      I was use a teaspoon of each – so instead of a teaspoon of cumin seeds, 1 teaspoon of cumin. :)

    2. Ben J Avatar
      Ben J

      Hi Becky – you can use the back of a dessertspoon on a chopping board instead of a pestle and mortar! Simply spread the seeds out on the chopping board and press down on to the spoon, so that the “dome” of the spoon is crushing the seeds. Move it around a bit and keep moving the seeds into the middle. Takes about 30 seconds!

  10. Megan {Country Cleaver} Avatar
    Megan {Country Cleaver}

    I’ve been thinking about this all weekend!! I have just unpacked the kitchen and found my masala – guess I have some butter chicken to make!

    1. Liz DellaCroce Avatar
      Liz DellaCroce

      Yes you do girlfriend!!

  11. Gaby Avatar
    Gaby

    Love the idea of adding in extra veggies to feed a crowd. This looks wonderful!

  12. Nikki @Seeded at the Table Avatar
    Nikki @Seeded at the Table

    Great tips on stretching the CASH MONEY! ;) So proud of you for keeping a healthy workout and diet routine, even though kids can make you very tired! Go Liz!!!

    1. Liz DellaCroce Avatar
      Liz DellaCroce

      Aww thank you so much friend!! You’re the best. Can’t wait to see you!!

  13. Susan Avatar
    Susan

    This sounds delicious. I also find it interesting that you have combined Thai curry paste with Indian curry powder. I usually think of them in terms of being totally separate and never the twain shall meet. I will have to do this on the stove top, as I don’t have a slow cooker, but I’m looking forward to having my culinary horizons expanded.

    1. Liz DellaCroce Avatar
      Liz DellaCroce

      Let me know what you think Susan!! I think the two curries work well together!

  14. Sophia @ NY Foodgasm Avatar
    Sophia @ NY Foodgasm

    This looks great, I love me a slow cooker meal!

    1. Liz DellaCroce Avatar
      Liz DellaCroce

      Thank you so much Sophia!

  15. Aggie Avatar
    Aggie

    I just tried butter chicken for first time! But at home not at a restaurant lol. We all loved it. I LOVE that you added cauliflower to this! My kids love cauliflower and this is a genius way to stretch the chicken. I’m so making this.

    1. Liz DellaCroce Avatar
      Liz DellaCroce

      My kids love cauliflower too – we are so lucky!! Although I will say, I don’t think most of my family realized they were eating cauliflower when we had this – haha. xo

  16. Sommer@ASpicyPerspective Avatar
    Sommer@ASpicyPerspective

    Oh Liz, that looks divine! And anything slow cooker is right up my alley.

    1. Liz DellaCroce Avatar
      Liz DellaCroce

      I am on such a slow cooking fix lately Sommer!

  17. Amanda Avatar
    Amanda

    I gotta make this asap!!!

    1. Liz DellaCroce Avatar
      Liz DellaCroce

      Yes you do girlfriend!!

  18. Alaina {Fabtastic Eats} Avatar
    Alaina {Fabtastic Eats}

    Last weekend I made butter chicken for the first time and it was sooooo good. We were inhaling it with naan. However, this lighter version provides that I can make it much more frequently! Love the cauliflower addition too!

    1. Liz DellaCroce Avatar
      Liz DellaCroce

      I so wished I had naan when I made this!!!

  19. Phi @ The Sweetphi Blog Avatar
    Phi @ The Sweetphi Blog

    This looks so delicious Liz! One of my ALL TIME FAVORITE Indian dishes is butter chicken, can’t wait to try this lighter version.

    1. Liz DellaCroce Avatar
      Liz DellaCroce

      I hope you try it and love it!!

  20. Sadye Avatar
    Sadye

    Best part of this post: the note “Don’t worry if you’re missing a spice or two. A little curry powder goes a long way!” Hooray!

    1. Liz DellaCroce Avatar
      Liz DellaCroce

      haha I’m so glad people actually read my posts!!! :)

  21. Sandy @ Reluctant Entertainer Avatar
    Sandy @ Reluctant Entertainer

    I can taste it already, Liz. Sounds wonderful!

    1. Liz DellaCroce Avatar
      Liz DellaCroce

      Thank you Sandy!! Hope you’re doing well!

  22. Tori@Gringalicious.com Avatar
    Tori@Gringalicious.com

    I’m a big fan of curry. This recipe looks delish!

    1. Liz DellaCroce Avatar
      Liz DellaCroce

      Thank you so much Tori! I hope you try it!

  23. Meagan @ A Zesty Bite Avatar
    Meagan @ A Zesty Bite

    Your are right my fork is waiting. I love a good simple meal especially when a slow cooker is doing most of the work.

    1. Liz DellaCroce Avatar
      Liz DellaCroce

      haha It’s ideal for busy mamas like us!