Slow Cooker Chicken Tikka Masala

This slow cooker chicken tikka masala utilizes lean chicken breasts that are slowly cooked in a flavorful sauce. A lightened up version of the Indian dish.

Why is Indian food so delicious? They say it is because of the lack of overlapping flavors. It has a mix of spices that is loved all over the globe.

I’ve found a way to boost up the flavor with low calorie, high impact ingredients such as fresh ginger, garam masala (an Indian spice blend) and light coconut milk.

While chicken tikka masala is often made with chicken thighs, I find that slow cooking the lean chicken breasts makes them completely juicy and tender.

Plain yogurt is added for added tenderization and tanginess (plus a hefty boost of protein and calcium!)

Frequently Asked Questions:

To serve, be sure to whip up a quick batch of Cucumber Yogurt Raita, a cool and delicious cucumber yogurt sauce that helps balance the richness of the dish.

Fun Fact: if you used the full amount of cayenne to make the dish a bit spicy, the yogurt sauce in the cucumber raita will help combat the heat, unlike water which only exacerbates the burn.

Of course, if cilantro isn’t your thing, simply leave it out at the end but I am 100% team cilantro so there is never enough garnish on my dish.

Your fork is waiting.

Slow Cooker Chicken Tikka Masala

4.40 stars average

This slow cooker chicken tikka masala utilizes lean chicken breasts that are slowly cooked in a flavorful sauce. A lightened up version of the Indian dish. 

Print Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 8 hours hrs

Total Time 8 hours hrs 10 minutes mins

CourseCourse: Main Dish

ServesServes: 4

Ingredients Equipment Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients

 

US MeasurementsConvert to Metric

 

1x2x3x?

• ▢ 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts – cubed
• ▢ 1 medium onion diced
• ▢ 15 ounces coconut milk Thai Style – light
• ▢ 1 cup low fat plain yogurt
• ▢ ¼ cup tomato paste
• ▢ 2 tablespoons grated ginger root
• ▢ 2 cloves garlic grated
• ▢ 2 tablespoons garam masala
• ▢ 1 tablespoon cornstarch
• ▢ 1 teaspoon salt
• ▢ ½ teaspoon cayenne optional
• ▢ ¼ cup minced cilantro optional garnish
• ▢ cucumber raita and brown rice to serve yogurt sauce

Equipment

• Slow Cooker

Instructions

 

1. ▢
   Place cubed chicken breasts and diced onion in the bottom of a slow cooker.
2. ▢
   In a medium bowl, whisk together coconut milk, yogurt, tomato paste, ginger, garlic, garam masala, cornstarch, salt and cayenne. Pour mixture over the chicken and onion and stir well.
3. ▢
   Cook on Low for 8 hours or High for 4 hours. Serve with brown rice and cucumber raita on the side.

Nutrition

Calories: 250kcalCarbohydrates: 16.8gProtein: 25.9gFat: 9.2gSaturated Fat: 5.6gPolyunsaturated Fat: 3.6gCholesterol: 62mgSodium: 880mgFiber: 3.5gSugar: 7.8g

Liz’s Notes

To lower sodium content, simply cut the salt amount in half.

Have you tried this?

Let us know how it was!

Find more healthy slow cooker recipes on my Pinterest board!