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Slow Cooker Chicken Curry

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LIZ DELLA CROCE

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Warm curry flavors and coconut milk add flavor and moisture to lean chicken breasts to make this Slow Cooker Chicken Curry recipe a delicious one-pot dish.

Slow cooker chicken curry.

When it comes to preparing moist and delicious dishes using lean chicken breasts, I’ve learned that the slow cooker is your friend! By locking in the moisture and cooking the meat slowly, you always end up with tender and juicy chicken without relying on fat, oil, or extra calories from the skin. My Slow Cooker Chicken Curry is a family favorite, as it’s mild enough for anyone to enjoy! It’s also extremely versatile, so you can change it up to be whatever you like!

Ingredients

  • Chicken breasts: While I prefer lean chicken breasts you can use Chicken thighs or any type of dark meat. The darker meats will boost the flavor!
  • Onion: White onion will add great, strong flavor without adding more sweetness.
  • Sweet potatoes: Mild and sweet, they make the curry filling and hearty.
  • Chickpeas: A great source of protein, and makes the curry more hearty and filling.
  • Coconut milk: A staple in many curries, it adds sweetness to balance out the savory and sometimes spicy flavor.
  • Chicken stock: While you can also use veggie stock, I think chicken stock adds the best flavor to curry.
  • Tomato sauce: Slightly sweet and slightly acidic, you could also use crushed or diced tomatoes if you want your curry more chunky.
  • Curry powder: Different brands have different blends, but it usually consists of cumin, turmeric, ginger, and pepper, but they all add a delicious warmth.
  • Green peas: Added towards the end of cooking, they don’t soften too much to add a great pop as well as fiber and antioxidants.
  • Lemon juice: Bright, acidic flavor that adds freshness to the curry.

How to Make Slow Cooker Chicken Curry

Start your Slow Cooker Chicken Curry by peeling and chopping up your sweet potatoes, and dicing your onion.

Then add the sweet potato to the bowl of your slow cooker.

Followed by the diced onion.

Then drain and rinse your chickpeas, and add them to the pot.

Next pour in the full-fat coconut milk.

And your chicken or veggie stock.

And the tomato sauce or crushed tomatoes.

Next add the curry powder and cayenne.

Then place your raw chicken breasts and season with some salt and pepper.

Using a large spoon or tongs, gently stir until mixed and chicken is coated. Then cover and cook on high for 4 hours or low for 8.

During the last couple minutes, add the frozen peas until warmed through and the lemon juice. Then serve over rice, garnish with fresh scallions or cilantro, and enjoy your Slow Cooker Chicken Curry!

Easy substitutions

  • Swap the potatoes: If you aren’t a fan of sweet potatoes, use regular or try something new like Brussels sprouts.
  • Make it vegetarian: Swap the chicken out for extra veggies, or follow the recipe for my vegetarian curry.

Frequently asked questions:

Can you put raw chicken in a slow cooker?

Yes you can! And you can even start with frozen breasts, not needing to thaw them ahead of time.

Will coconut milk curdle in slow cooker?

As long as you use a good quality brand, you shouldn’t have to worry about curdling.

Can I make this curry in a instant pot?

Yes you can! Follow the first 2 steps the same, then seal and cook on high pressure for 25 minutes. Stir in the peas and lemon juice, until heated through. Then serve!
Slow Cooker Chicken Curry

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Liz eating slow cooker chicken curry.

With so many ways to play with curry, let me know how you decide to serve yours in a commet below!

Your fork is waiting.

Slow Cooker Chicken Curry

4.37 stars average
Warm curry flavors and coconut milk add flavor and moisture to lean chicken breasts to make this recipe a delicious one-pot dish.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 4 hours
Total Time 4 hours 10 minutes
CourseMain Dish
Serves4

Ingredients
 
 

  • 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts
  • 1 medium onion sliced or diced
  • 15 ounces can chickpeas drained and rinsed
  • 2 medium sweet potatoes peeled and diced
  • ½ cup full-fat coconut milk light
  • ½ cup chicken stock low sodium
  • 15 ounces can tomato sauce
  • 2 tablespoons curry powder salt-free
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon cayenne powder optional
  • 1 cup green peas frozen
  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice
  • cilantro optional garnish

Instructions
 

  1. In the bottom of the slow cooker, whisk together coconut milk, chicken stock, tomato sauce, curry powder, salt and cayenne.
    1/2 cup full-fat coconut milk, 1/2 cup chicken stock, 15 ounces can tomato sauce, 2 tablespoons curry powder, 1 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon cayenne powder
  2. Add chicken breasts, onion, chickpeas and sweet potatoes. Using tongs, gently toss ingredients together to ensure evenly coated.
    1 pound boneless, 1 medium onion, 15 ounces can chickpeas, 2 medium sweet potatoes
  3. Cook on Low for 8 hours or High for 4 hours. Shred the chicken.
  4. Stir in peas and lemon juice 5 minutes before serving.
    1 cup green peas, 2 tablespoons lemon juice
  5. Serve over rice and with plenty of fresh cilantro.
    cilantro

Nutrition

Serving: 2.5cupsCalories: 302kcalCarbohydrates: 43.1gProtein: 24.4gFat: 4.7gSaturated Fat: 1.9gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2.8gCholesterol: 60mgSodium: 1232mgFiber: 8.6gSugar: 12.2g

Video

Liz’s Notes

Serving Size: 2 1/2 cups
 

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4.37 from 631 votes (523 ratings without comment)

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459 responses to “Slow Cooker Chicken Curry”

  1. Telliott Avatar
    Telliott

    Can I use Pomi tomatoes instead of tomato sauce? I don’t have sauce at the house and can’t get to the store today.

    1. Liz DellaCroce Avatar
      Liz DellaCroce

      Yes absolutely!

  2. Adriana Avatar
    Adriana

    I made this last night and it came out great! I will be making this again for sure.

    1. Liz DellaCroce Avatar
      Liz DellaCroce

      So happy to hear it!!

  3. Kaylee Avatar
    Kaylee

    This looks delish!! If I want to add other veggies like broccoli when would you suggest adding it in?

    1. Liz DellaCroce Avatar
      Liz DellaCroce

      Same time as the others!!

  4. Julia Torres Avatar
    Julia Torres

    IF your making it all veggies how long show it cook for and when should the veggies go in as to not over cook them.

  5. Kristen Avatar
    Kristen

    I made this in the crockpot with a few modifications and it was delicious. I cut the tomato sauce in half, added 1/4 cup more of coconut milk, 1/4 cup more of chicken broth, and almost doubled the curry powder. Absolutely delicious! Thanks for the recipe!

    1. Liz DellaCroce Avatar
      Liz DellaCroce

      So glad you enjoyed it!!

  6. Lori Avatar
    Lori

    Undergoing renovations and haven’t had a stove for a while. This recipe has absolutely been one of our favourites for a while. Also tired at the end of the day but it sure is nice to have this waiting at dinner time. Love curries. Thanks.

    1. Liz DellaCroce Avatar
      Liz DellaCroce

      Oh I’m so glad to hear it!!! Good luck with your renovations!

  7. Sarah Avatar
    Sarah

    Just made this recipe now to the word, it’s currently simmering away in the slow cooker and the smell is divine! Can’t wait to dig in & portion out for the rest of the week!

    1. Liz DellaCroce Avatar
      Liz DellaCroce

      I hope you love it Sarah! We make it all the time!!

  8. Taylor's Kitchen Avatar
    Taylor’s Kitchen

    My brother made this for me over a year ago, and we asked him to make it again when we visit him this weekend. Since his wife is pregnant, she can’t do the spicy so he gave me the recipe to make last night. I followed the directions exactly, except I used lamb instead of chicken, used whole coconut milk instead of light, and McDonnell’s curry powder (which is typically found in Ireland, or Irish neighborhoods like Sunnyside Queens NY). Even though my wife does not like sweet potatoes, she admitted, this is the best thing I have ever made. I cut the potatoes and onions really thin, and they disintegrated into the mixture creating thick stew. The half teaspoon of cayenne pepper gives it a perfect kick of spice. After a long day, it was perfect with a side of basmati and naan. Thank you!

    1. Liz DellaCroce Avatar
      Liz DellaCroce

      Oh my goodness I am so thrilled to hear this! I am so glad you enjoyed it! Thank you for letting me know!! I also have a beef curry and vegetable curry recipe you might love! https://thelemonbowl.com/slow-cooker-beef-curry/

  9. Raj Avatar
    Raj

    Hi Liz, Excellent Recipe. I have already made this many times but I have a small question which google hasn’t been able to answer. In this recipe you ask for Salt-free curry powder. I always use McCormicks Gourmet Collection Curry Powder but it doesn’t mention anything about the salt content on the ingredient list. Can I assume that it is salt-free ?

    1. Liz DellaCroce Avatar
      Liz DellaCroce

      Yes if salt isn’t listed it’s salt free!! That sounds great!

  10. D Avatar
    D

    This was delicious! My husband devoured it. I made it pretty much as listed and will definitely keep this recipe handy. Thank you!

    1. Liz DellaCroce Avatar
      Liz DellaCroce

      So glad you loved it!! Let me know if you try anything else!