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Delicious crockpot butter chicken served with rice and naan bread

Crockpot Butter Chicken

A slow-cooker version of the classic butter chicken, featuring tender shredded chicken in a rich tomato-spice sauce, perfect for busy nights.
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 6 hours
Total Time 6 hours 20 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: Comfort Food, Indian
Calories: 500

Ingredients
  

Main Ingredients
  • 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs Dark meat stays juicier.
  • 1 cup heavy cream Use full-fat coconut milk for dairy-free.
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter Substitute ghee for a nuttier flavor.
  • 14 oz crushed tomatoes
Aromatics and Spices
  • 1 large onion, chopped
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 inch fresh ginger, grated
  • 2 tablespoons garam masala
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • to taste salt and pepper
  • as needed Fresh cilantro for garnish

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Put the chopped onion, minced garlic, and grated ginger into the crockpot.
  2. Add the crushed tomatoes, garam masala, cumin, and paprika. Season with salt and pepper and stir until everything is evenly coated.
  3. Arrange the chicken thighs in a single layer on top of the tomato-spice mixture.
Cooking
  1. Cover and cook on low for 6 to 7 hours or on high for 3 to 4 hours, until the chicken is very tender and easily pulled apart.
  2. Transfer the chicken to a plate and shred it with two forks. Return the shredded chicken to the crockpot and stir it into the sauce.
  3. Pour in the heavy cream and add the butter. Stir until the sauce is glossy and smooth. Let it cook for an additional 10 to 15 minutes on low.
  4. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper before serving.
Serving
  1. Serve over steaming rice or with warm naan, and top with chopped fresh cilantro.

Nutrition

Serving: 1Calories: 500kcalCarbohydrates: 15gProtein: 30gFat: 38gSaturated Fat: 20gSodium: 500mgFiber: 3gSugar: 5g

Notes

If the sauce is too thin, remove the lid and cook on high for 15 to 20 minutes to reduce. For a creamier, nuttier flavor, use ghee instead of butter. You can also add frozen peas at the end for extra texture.

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