Creamy Butter Chicken Slow Cooker Recipe with Easy Naan Dippers
A rich and creamy butter chicken made effortlessly in a slow cooker, paired with warm naan bread for dipping. Perfect for busy nights and cozy dinners.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 6 hours (low) or 3.5 hours (high)
- Total Time: 6 hours 10 minutes (low) or 3 hours 40 minutes (high)
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Indian
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 large onion, finely chopped
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated
- 1 can (14 ounces) crushed tomatoes
- 1 cup heavy cream (or coconut cream for dairy-free)
- 2 teaspoons garam masala
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- Fresh cilantro, a handful chopped
- For the naan dippers:
- 4–6 pieces store-bought naan bread
- Butter for brushing (garlic butter preferred)
Instructions
- Finely chop the onion, mince the garlic, and grate the ginger.
- Cut the chicken thighs into 1.5-inch bite-sized pieces.
- Add the chopped onion, garlic, ginger, and chicken pieces to the slow cooker.
- Sprinkle garam masala, cumin, chili powder, salt, and pepper over the chicken. Pour in the crushed tomatoes and stir gently to combine.
- Cut the butter into small cubes and scatter over the top.
- Cook on low for 6-7 hours or on high for 3-4 hours until the chicken is tender and the sauce is thick.
- About 15 minutes before serving, stir in the heavy cream. Adjust seasoning if needed.
- Warm naan bread in a skillet or oven and brush with melted garlic butter.
- Serve the butter chicken garnished with chopped cilantro alongside the naan dippers.
Notes
If the sauce is too thin after cooking, remove the lid and cook on high for 15-20 minutes to reduce. Use chicken thighs for best texture. Add cream last to prevent curdling. Keep the slow cooker lid closed during cooking to maintain temperature. Adjust chili powder to taste. Naan can be toasted with garlic butter for extra flavor. Leftovers thicken when cooled; reheat gently with added cream or water if needed.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: Approximately 1/6th
- Calories: 350400
- Fat: 22
- Carbohydrates: 810
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 30
Keywords: butter chicken, slow cooker, crockpot, creamy butter chicken, Indian recipe, easy dinner, naan dippers, comfort food