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? Oh wait, I know. Because most of our favorite dishes made in Indian American restaurants are full of butter and heavy cream. Dangit!!
Fortunately, 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:
If you’re not able to eat yogurt that’s not a problem. You can just use the coconut milk no need to add anything or substitute yogurt with soy yogurt.
I like to use Thai style light coconut milk in a can. You can also use full-fat Thai style coconut milk. Just be sure you’re using Thai style coconut milk not the processed coconut milk in the vegan milk section.
Yes absolutely! The entire dish should cook in about 45-60 minutes.
It’s more tomato-based than creamy
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.
📖 Recipe
Slow Cooker Chicken Tikka Masala
Ingredients
- 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
Instructions
- Place cubed chicken breasts and diced onion in the bottom of a slow cooker.
- 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.
- Cook on Low for 8 hours or High for 4 hours. Serve with brown rice and cucumber raita on the side.
Chef’s Notes
Nutrition
Find more healthy slow cooker recipes on my Pinterest board!
Joanna H.
I was so excited to try this! It came out fantastic but it def is NOT Chicken Tikka Masala. I’m fine with it because it was actually very good but it was not what I thought I was making lol.
Liz DellaCroce
Oh no – I’m sorry it wasn’t what you expected! It’s definitely a lot lighter than the traditional version made with heavy cream. The goal was to create a healthy version of the Indian classic that can enjoy regularly without the guilt. :)
Amra
Hi, I just bought a slow cooker, I thought that youghurt wasn’t suitable for slow cooker and that it will seperate….same with the coconut milk….?
Liz DellaCroce
Since it cooks slowly, it works out well! I use yogurt and coconut milk all the time in my slow cooker!
kim
This turned out great! I noticed NO difference with the low fat ingredients. I combined your recipe with another recipe I found because I had these extra ingredients lying around:
•1 tablespoon cumin
•1/2 tablespoon paprika
•3/4 teaspoon cinnamon
•3/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
•2 bay leaves
It WAS delicious but I noticed that it didn’t have that slight sweetness to it like I’ve had at the restaurants so I added a bit of sugar to taste. It was PERFECT. Thank you!
Liz DellaCroce
I’m so glad you enjoyed it!!! Love what you did to it!
jen
Made this tonight for my husband and sister-in-law. Used the high setting for 4 hours with chicken thighs. The chicken just melted in your mouth. I thought proportions of spices were right on. Color wasn’t as bright but who cares, taste was awesome. Husband licked his plate clean. One of my new favorite recipes. Thank you.
Liz DellaCroce
I’m so glad you enjoyed it and it came out well!!!
Jerry
Found this recipe randomly on google. Decided to give it a shot. Turned out awesome. And I’ve grown up eating Indian food my whole life!
Liz DellaCroce
Wow I’m so thrilled to hear that Jerry!! So glad you enjoyed it!!
Cliff
Nice recipe!
To give it a boost of authentic tikka masala flavor, try mixing in a bit of dried fenugreek leaves immediately before serving, and you can even sprinkle some on to instead of cilantro or parsley as a garnish… Adds virtually no calories with this addition but nice flavor!
Liz DellaCroce
That is a brilliant idea Cliff!!!
Talbot
Should the chicken be cooked when it goes into the slow cooker? Thanks! Looking forward to trying this recipe; looks delicious.
Liz DellaCroce
Nope – raw! I hope you enjoy!!
Talbot
Thanks!
Collin
Just finished this. I think you have way too much garam masala. Followed to a T and it was not orange/red like the picture (turned brown) and it tasted solely of that spice. Maybe do half or less of it. Also, in a 3.5 quart slow cooker the chicken was over cooked in 7 hours.
Liz DellaCroce
Hi Collin – I’m sorry to hear the dish didn’t turn out as you had hoped! I do know that garam masala spice blends tend to differ quite a bit based on the brand you use as well as how old the spices are that were used to make the spice blend. Regardless, that doesn’t take away your experience so I truly apologize. I hope you try another recipe!! Thank you again for your feedback and Happy New Year!
Mahendra
Liz, you are right about different garam masalas available at your local Indian grocery stores. I am thinking of adding a couple of strands of safron to give it the red color. I will let you know how it turns out. Thanks for the recipe.
Liz DellaCroce
So glad you enjoyed it!!
Ken
Hi! Gonna try this soon. Is it possible to double up on the ingredients to the slow cooker so that I can serve 8?
Liz DellaCroce
Yes absolutely!! Enjoy!
Lisa
I’m very excited to try this recipe. However, I’m not a morning person (at all) so the thought of pulling this altogether before work sounds a little daunting. Do you think it’s okay to do all the prep the night before, store it in the fridge, and then throw it into my slow cooker first thing in the morning?
Liz DellaCroce
Absolutely!! Or cook on high for 4 hours!
Heather
I don’t know what I did wrong, the only change I made was to use Greek yogurt because I had it on hand but I cooked it exactly 4 hours on high and it looks curdled. Just totally disgusting looking, I’m so disappointed and wasted $10 of organic chicken and have no dinner tonight. :(
Liz DellaCroce
Oh no Heather!! I’ve never used Greek yogurt for this style of cooking so I can’t tell you if that was the problem. I use regular plain yogurt. I am truly sorry this did not work out for you – it is a HUGE favorite in our family. Please let me know if you try it again with the plain yogurt that I used!!
Sara
I made this last night and used Greek yogurt… I was a little suspicious when I came home and looked at it, but once I stirred well everything was fine. Husband and I both ate it and are no worse for the wear. :)
I thought it was very good, even with my fake garam masala I mixed up with a bunch of spices, but I did miss the butter. Hopefully after making it a few more times I’ll get used to the healthy way. Thanks Liz!
Liz DellaCroce
Oh I’m so glad you liked it!! I’ve never made it with Greek yogurt but I’m glad it worked out!! Very impressed you made your own garam masala blend, too!
Kerry
Made this last night. I couldn’t reach the cornstarch in my cabinet so I used a little tapioca. The dish was delicious! My boyfriend kept eating it and later dipped naan in the sauce and snacked on that! I made the cucumber raita but didn’t have time to drain yogurt. I put it in the freezer for about 15 min and it thickenened up a bit. Added it to top of tikka masala-yum!
Thanks for posting.
Liz DellaCroce
That sounds incredible – so glad you enjoyed Kerry!!
Nusrat Azim
Your without oil, healthy version of Chicken Tikka masala looks really really lustrous :) Never thought of adding corn starch though; I’m intrigued to give it a try ASAP :)
Lovely, warm pictures.
Liz DellaCroce
The corn starch helps it thicken up a bit!! Let me know what you think!
Nutmeg Nanny
I can’t get enough slow cooker recipes! This looks so full of flavor :) I am loving it!
Liz DellaCroce
Me neither sista!! It has been my saving grace this pregnancy especially!
Wendy
I have recently made the regular version for DH and he had already requested I make it again. Now I will have to try this because I love the healthier option and the fact that it’s a slow-cooker recipe. Win-win all around!
Liz DellaCroce
It is such a classic dish – my husband orders it every time!! He loved this version so I hope your hubby doesn’t mind the lighter version!!
Brittany
Made your recipe tonight and it was delicious! I accidentally used regular coconut milk so I am looking forward to making it again next time with low fat. Thank you for sharing.
Liz DellaCroce
Oh I’m sure it was even better!! So glad you liked it!
Chung-Ah | Damn Delicious
I’m dying for Indian food now, and it’s midnight!
Liz DellaCroce
haha you sound like me!!! :) xo
Kirsten
Liz,
I need to figure out how to make my own tomato paste–I normally put a quart of crushed tomatoes into my slow cooker tikka masala, but this lightened version sounds pretty good to me! And my kids fight over the leftovers, so it’s a winning recipe in my book.
Thanks!
Liz DellaCroce
Ooo I like your crushed tomatoes idea too!! I love tomatoes!!
Brian
I used crushed tomatoes instead of the paste. Two 28oz with 4 lbs of chicken.
Kristen
I totally need to use my slow cooker more… it’s such a time saver! This looks like a fantastic recipe to try!
Liz DellaCroce
I don’t use it enough but every time I do, my entire afternoon is filled with happy “dinner is already done” thoughts. :) xo
Alyssa (Everyday Maven)
This is my kind of dinner – and made in the slow cooker? Love it!
Liz DellaCroce
Perfect for busy mamas like us!!