If you’ve been looking for the perfect Slow Cooker Butter Chicken that’s creamy, flavorful, and completely effortless, this guide is for you. In this article, we’ll walk through why this dish is a must-make for busy families, the ingredients you need, how to prepare it in your slow cooker, step-by-step directions, expert tips, serving ideas, and answers to the most common FAQs. This recipe takes the beloved classic of Indian Butter Chicken and transforms it into one of the easiest Family Dinner Recipes you’ll ever add to your rotation.

Why Make Slow Cooker Butter Chicken?

There are plenty of reasons why this Slow Cooker Indian Butter Chicken Curry becomes a fast favorite:

• It’s a completely hands-off meal—perfect for easy slow cooker days.

• A comforting, creamy curry that the whole family will love.

• Uses simple ingredients but delivers restaurant-quality flavor.

• Ideal for meal prep or busy weeknights.

• It tastes just as good—or even better—the next day.

• Works beautifully in any collection of family favorite meals.

This dish combines warm spices, tender chicken, and a luxurious buttery tomato sauce with almost zero effort.

Slow Cooker Butter Chicken

This rich, creamy Slow Cooker Butter Chicken is the perfect family dinner—easy to make, full of classic Indian flavors, and slow-cooked until tender and silky. With warm spices, tomato sauce, butter, and cream, this dish delivers restaurant-quality taste with almost no effort. A true family-favorite slow cooker chicken recipe!

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 6 hours hrs

Total Time 6 hours hrs 15 minutes mins

Servings 6

Ingredients

  

• 1.5 –2 lbs boneless skinless chicken thighs (or breasts)
• 1 large onion finely diced
• 3 –4 garlic cloves minced
• 1 tbsp fresh ginger grated
• 1 can 14 oz tomato sauce or crushed tomatoes
• 3 tbsp tomato paste
• ½ cup unsalted butter cubed
• 1 cup heavy cream or coconut milk for dairy-free
• 2 tbsp garam masala
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• 1 tsp turmeric
• 1 tsp paprika
• ½ –1 tsp chili powder optional for heat
• 1 tsp salt or to taste
• Black pepper to taste
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• Fresh cilantro for garnish

Instructions

 

• Add the chopped onions, minced garlic, and grated ginger to the bottom of the slow cooker.
• Place the chicken thighs or breasts on top of the aromatics.
• Sprinkle garam masala, cumin, turmeric, paprika, chili powder, salt, and black pepper over the chicken.
• Pour in the tomato sauce and tomato paste. Add the butter cubes evenly on top.
• Cover and cook on LOW for 6–7 hours or HIGH for 3–4 hours, until chicken is tender.
• Stir in the heavy cream and lemon juice. Let it cook an additional 10–15 minutes.
• Garnish with fresh cilantro and serve with rice or naan.

Notes

Chicken thighs stay juicier than breasts in the slow cooker.

Substitute coconut milk for a dairy-free version.

Add more chili powder for extra heat or omit for a mild curry.

For a thicker sauce, remove the lid and simmer for 15 minutes before adding the cream.

Leftovers store well and taste even better the next day.

‍ How to Make Slow Cooker Butter Chicken

Making this Butter Chicken Recipe in the slow cooker removes all the fuss. No marinating, no long simmering on the stove—just chop, mix, and let your slow cooker chicken cook to perfection.
The method is simple: add chicken, garlic, spices, tomato sauce, and butter to the cooker, then let the slow heat turn everything into a velvety curry. Before serving, swirl in cream to make it extra rich and authentic.
This is also a great alternative to Tikka Masala, offering a slightly sweeter and butterier flavor while still delivering that classic Indian-inspired taste.

Ingredients

Here’s everything you need for this delicious Chicken Slow Cooker Recipe:

• 1.5–2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs (preferred) or breasts

• 1 large onion, finely diced

• 3–4 garlic cloves, minced

• 1 tbsp fresh ginger, grated

• 1 can (14 oz) tomato sauce or crushed tomatoes

• ½ cup unsalted butter, cubed

• 1 cup heavy cream (or coconut milk for dairy-free)

• 3 tbsp tomato paste

• 2 tbsp garam masala

• 1 tsp ground cumin

• 1 tsp ground turmeric

• 1 tsp paprika

• ½–1 tsp chili powder (optional for heat)

• 1 tsp salt, or to taste

• Black pepper, to taste

• 1 tbsp lemon juice

• Fresh cilantro for garnish

• Cooked basmati rice or naan for serving

Directions

Step 1 – Prepare the Base

Place the chopped onions, minced garlic, and grated ginger into the bottom of your slow cooker.

Step 2 – Add the Chicken

Lay the chicken thighs or breasts on top of the aromatics.

Step 3 – Season Well

Sprinkle the garam masala, turmeric, cumin, paprika, chili powder, salt, and black pepper over the chicken.

Step 4 – Add Tomato and Butter

Pour in the tomato sauce and tomato paste. Scatter the butter cubes around the chicken so they melt evenly during cooking.

Step 5 – Slow Cook

Cover and cook on LOW for 6–7 hours or HIGH for 3–4 hours, until the chicken is tender and easily shreddable.

Step 6 – Finish With Cream

Stir in the heavy cream and lemon juice. Mix well until the sauce becomes silky and smooth. Let the curry cook for an additional 10–15 minutes to warm through.

Step 7 – Serve

Garnish with fresh cilantro and ladle your butter chicken over basmati rice or with warm naan.

️ How to Serve Slow Cooker Butter Chicken

This rich and creamy curry pairs beautifully with:

• Steamed basmati or jasmine rice

• Homemade or store-bought naan

• Garlic flatbread

• Roasted or steamed vegetables

• Cucumber yogurt salad

It also makes an amazing addition to a complete family dinner recipe night. You can even double the batch to feed guests or freeze leftovers for future meals.

✨ Tips for the Best Butter Chicken

• Use chicken thighs for maximum tenderness—they stay juicier in the slow cooker.

• Coconut milk can replace heavy cream for a dairy-free version.

• Add a touch of brown sugar or honey if you prefer a slightly sweeter curry.

• Don’t skip the butter—it’s the heart of authentic Indian Butter Chicken.

• For thicker sauce, let it simmer uncovered for 15 minutes.

• Spice level is easy to adjust: add more chili powder for heat or omit it entirely for mild flavor.

❓ FAQs

1. Can I make this ahead of time?

Yes! It reheats beautifully and tastes even better the next day as the flavors deepen.

2. Can I use frozen chicken?

It’s best to thaw chicken first for safety and even cooking in the slow cooker.

3. Can I make it less spicy?

Absolutely—just leave out the chili powder and use mild paprika.

4. What’s the difference between Butter Chicken and Tikka Masala?

Butter Chicken is creamier, richer, and slightly sweeter, while Tikka Masala is tangier and spicier.

5. Can I freeze leftovers?

Yes! It freezes well for up to 3 months. Reheat gently to keep the sauce smooth.

Final Thoughts

This Slow Cooker Butter Chicken is the kind of recipe every home cook needs—simple, comforting, and incredibly flavorful. Whether you’re preparing an easy weeknight meal, building a list of family favorite meals, or exploring new Indian butter chicken dishes, this version guarantees delicious results with minimal effort. Add it to your lineup of go-to slow cooker chicken recipes and enjoy a rich, satisfying dinner everyone will love.