Slow Cooker Chicken Tikka Masala
Looking for a deliciously creamy, flavor-packed meal with minimal effort?
This slow cooker chicken tikka masala is a game changer!
Full of aromatic spices like garam masala, cumin, and paprika, the rich, creamy sauce smothers tender chicken for an irresistible dinner.
Simply toss everything in your slow cooker and let it work its magic while you go about your day.
It’s perfect over rice, paired with naan, and guaranteed to impress!
For Slow Cooker Chicken Tikka Masala
- Chicken Breasts – Boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch pieces. Tender and perfect for absorbing all the flavors of the sauce.
- Onion – Chopped for a subtle sweetness and texture in the sauce.
- Garlic – Minced to add depth and flavor.
- Fresh Ginger – Grated for that spicy, aromatic kick that’s essential in tikka masala.
- Tomato Puree – Forms the base of the rich, flavorful sauce.
- Greek Yogurt – Adds creaminess and tang to the sauce.
- Olive Oil – For a bit of richness and to sauté the aromatics.
For Tikka Masala Spices
- Garam Masala – A warm and aromatic spice mix that gives the dish its signature flavor.
- Cumin – Earthy and slightly smoky, a key spice in Indian cuisine.
- Paprika – Adds a mild smokiness without too much heat.
- Salt – Enhances all the flavors.
- Cinnamon – A hint of sweetness to balance the spice.
- Black Pepper – Adds warmth and a bit of heat.
- Cayenne Pepper – For just a touch of extra spice.
- Bay Leaves – Adds an aromatic flavor to the sauce while cooking.
For the Creamy Sauce
- Heavy Cream – To make the sauce rich and creamy.
- Cornstarch – Used to thicken the sauce to the perfect consistency.
- Cilantro – Freshly chopped for garnish, adding color and a burst of freshness.
Slow Cooker Chicken Tikka Masala
Ingredients
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch pieces
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tbsp fresh ginger, grated
- 1 can (29 oz) tomato puree
- 1 ½ cups plain Greek yogurt
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp garam masala
- 1 tbsp cumin
- ½ tbsp paprika
- 2 tsp salt
- ¾ tsp cinnamon
- ¾ tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp cayenne pepper
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 cup heavy cream
- ½ tbsp cornstarch
- Fresh cilantro, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- In the slow cooker, combine the onion, garlic, ginger, tomato puree, Greek yogurt, olive oil, garam masala, cumin, paprika, salt, cinnamon, black pepper, and cayenne pepper.
- Add the chicken pieces to the mixture and toss to coat them in the sauce. Place the bay leaves on top.
- Cook on low for 6 hours or on high for 4 hours.
- About 20 minutes before the cooking time is up, whisk together the cornstarch and heavy cream. Stir it into the slow cooker and continue cooking for the remaining 20 minutes.
- Serve the chicken tikka masala over rice and garnish with freshly chopped cilantro.
Notes
- Can I use chicken thighs instead of chicken breasts?
Absolutely! Chicken thighs will add more flavor and remain extra tender during the slow cooking process. You can substitute them without any issues, just use the same amount of boneless, skinless chicken thighs for the breasts.
- How do I adjust the spice level if I prefer less heat?
If you like your food on the milder side, simply reduce or omit the cayenne pepper and paprika. You can also decrease the amount of garam masala to tone down the spice. If you want it spicier, feel free to add more cayenne pepper or even a diced chili.
- Do I have to brown the chicken before adding it to the slow cooker?
Nope! Browning the chicken is optional. While it adds extra flavor, you can skip that step and still get a great result. Just toss everything into the slow cooker and let it work its magic!
- Can I make this recipe dairy-free?
Yes! You can easily swap the Greek yogurt for coconut yogurt and replace the heavy cream with coconut milk for a deliciously creamy dairy-free version.
- The sauce seems too watery. How can I thicken it?
To thicken the sauce, mix cornstarch with a little water and stir it into the slow cooker during the last 20 minutes of cooking. This will help give the sauce a rich, velvety consistency without any hassle.
