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Slow Cooker Chicken Tikka Masala

Liz DellaCroce Avatar

LIZ DELLA CROCE

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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.

Chicken Tikka Masala with pita bread

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:

Can this be made dairy free?

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.

What type of coconut milk should be used?

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.

Can this be made on the stovetop instead?

Yes absolutely! The entire dish should cook in about 45-60 minutes.

Is this dish more of a tomato-based masala or creamy based dish?

It’s more tomato-based than creamy
Cucumber Raita Recipe Indian


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.

Have you tried my
Slow Cooker Chicken Tikka Masala?

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Slow Cooker Chicken Tikka Masala

Slow Cooker Chicken Tikka Masala

4.40 stars average
Liz Della Croce
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. 
PREP: 10 minutes
COOK: 8 hours
TOTAL: 8 hours 10 minutes
Pin
Servings4

Equipment

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.

Last Step:

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Liz’s Notes

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

Nutrition

Calories: 250kcal | Carbohydrates: 16.8g | Protein: 25.9g | Fat: 9.2g | Saturated Fat: 5.6g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3.6g | Cholesterol: 62mg | Sodium: 880mg | Fiber: 3.5g | Sugar: 7.8g

Find more healthy slow cooker recipes on my Pinterest board!


4.40 from 82 votes (67 ratings without comment)

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147 responses to “Slow Cooker Chicken Tikka Masala”

  1. Danielle Holten Avatar
    Danielle Holten

    Do you think all the ingredients could be put into a freezer bag and frozen to be made at a later time? I’d love to make this and have on hand for those busy weeks.

    Plan on making this next week !

    1. Liz DellaCroce Avatar
      Liz DellaCroce

      Hmm…I hate to say it but I don’t think that would be the best idea. I would actually COOK the chicken and then freeze it as a cooked meal. :)

  2. JT Avatar
    JT

    Instead of using chicken can I use beef? We just had chicken curry today so I am trying to serve something different tomorrow but this recipe really looks good! Can I also use Greek yogurt instead of plain yogurt?

    1. Liz DellaCroce Avatar
      Liz DellaCroce

      Yes I bet you could!! Greek yogurt can be used but I would thin it out a little with maybe a couple tablespoons of water.

  3. Amber Avatar
    Amber

    First time making an Indian dish at home that turned out. So easy. Delicious and my hubby whom I could never convince to even try Indian cuisine had seconds. Thanks!

    1. Liz DellaCroce Avatar
      Liz DellaCroce

      So thrilled to hear it!

  4. Joe Avatar
    Joe

    I’m making this for my wife, I think she’ll like it. Is the sauce suppose to be light? I made the mixture to the T and it’s not really red like in the picture? I put it in the fridge and I’m going to put it in the crockpot before work. Does it get darker as it cooks maybe?

    1. Liz DellaCroce Avatar
      Liz DellaCroce

      I’ve noticed that the color of the sauce varies depending on brands of spices. Don’t worry about the color as long as the flavor is there!

  5. Jackie Avatar
    Jackie

    Hi! I’m thinking about making this recipe tonight. Do you think it will work well if I keep the chicken breasts whole? Your chicken wasn’t dry even though you cubed it?
    Thanks!

    1. Liz DellaCroce Avatar
      Liz DellaCroce

      It would be fine if you kept it whole! Either way it never dries out because water (or any liquid) doesn’t evaporate in a slow cooker. :)

  6. liz | carpé season Avatar
    liz | carpé season

    Tikka masala is a favorite in our house, so pinning this recipe for sure! Team Cilantro forever.

  7. Kp Avatar
    Kp

    Was really looking forward to this dish but when I got home and looked in the slow cooker it was half burnt and the other half curdled, followed the recipe, disappointed :(

    1. Liz DellaCroce Avatar
      Liz DellaCroce

      Oh dear!! I’m so sorry to hear that KP!! We make this dish regularly and that has never happened. Did you happen to make any substitutions or changes to the recipe at all? I would love to help you figure out a way to make this work!! Thank you for letting me know either way and again, I’m so sorry it didn’t work out for you.

  8. Emily Avatar
    Emily

    Could I use minced ginger in a jar?

    1. Liz DellaCroce Avatar
      Liz DellaCroce

      Absolutely!

  9. Kirsty Avatar
    Kirsty

    I’m so happy I found this I have been following a diet that is similar to the paleo and I’m DYING for a curry! The only thing is that I can’t have cornstarch, would I be able to replace this with coconut flour or almond flour? Or could I leave it out?

    1. Liz DellaCroce Avatar
      Liz DellaCroce

      You could use arrowroot instead! I *believe* it’s paleo?! You could also leave out. :)

  10. Becky Avatar
    Becky

    MMMMMM! Incredible!!! I was sooo happy to find this recipe!!!! I’ve got this love affair going on with Indian food, and have a local buffet that I’ve frequented way too often!!! This recipe is definitely going to help me break that habit. This is every bit as good as that restaurant’s!

    Question, though: Looking at the nutritional information, it says serving size is 2 cups, but that there are 4 servings. I know I used a little less than a full pound of chicken… but I only got a total of 4 cups. Is two cups really the serving size?

    Thank you so much! A friend told me just 2 weeks ago maybe about your blog – to date I’ve tried this and the Turkish Red Lentil Soup – keep these incredible recipes coming!!!!

    1. Liz DellaCroce Avatar
      Liz DellaCroce

      I’m so glad your friend told you about my site!! And I’m thrilled you’ve enjoyed the recipes so far!! :) And oh my goodness I’m so sorry – that should definitely be one cup!! I just updated the recipe. Please forgive my type-o!!

      1. becky Avatar
        becky

        No problem!!! Thank you for the quick response, I wasn’t expecting to hear back this fast! :)