Description
Rich flavors of butter chicken dance through this slow cooker marvel, bringing Indian cuisine directly to home kitchens. Tender chicken bathes in creamy tomato sauce, delighting palates with minimal effort while promising a delectable meal you’ll savor completely.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 lbs (907 grams) chicken thighs
- 3 tbsps unsalted butter (cut into small cubes)
- 16 oz (454 grams) tomato sauce (or passata)
- ½ cup (120 ml) heavy whipping cream
- 5 cloves garlic (minced)
- 2 tbsps fresh ginger (grated)
- 2 tbsps fresh parsley, mint, or cilantro (for garnish)
- 2 tsps garam masala
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp ground turmeric
- ½ tsp granulated sugar (or honey)
- ½ tsp chili powder
Instructions
- Spice Blend Preparation: Whisk together minced garlic, grated ginger, tomato sauce, ground cumin, garam masala, smoked paprika, ground turmeric, chili powder, kosher salt, and granulated sugar in the slow cooker until perfectly integrated.
- Chicken Integration: Submerge chicken thighs completely in the aromatic spice mixture, strategically distributing small cubes of unsalted butter across the top to amplify flavor complexity and richness.
- Slow Cooking Process: Cover and cook on HIGH for 1.5–2 hours or LOW for 4–6 hours, ensuring chicken reaches a safe internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) while developing deep, layered flavor profiles.
- Sauce Transformation: Remove chicken and shred into bite-sized pieces, then whisk heavy whipping cream into the remaining sauce, creating a luxuriously smooth and velvety texture that captures all the intricate spice notes.
- Final Assembly: Reincorporate shredded chicken into the creamy sauce, ensuring each piece is generously coated, then plate over steamed basmati rice and garnish with freshly chopped cilantro, serving alongside warm naan bread for an authentic culinary experience.
Notes
- Spice Selection: Choose fresh, high-quality whole spices and grind them just before cooking for maximum flavor intensity and aromatic depth.
- Chicken Cut Recommendation: Opt for bone-in chicken thighs for richer taste and more tender meat that absorbs spices more effectively.
- Cream Incorporation Tip: Add heavy cream at the end of cooking to prevent curdling and maintain a smooth, luxurious sauce consistency.
- Storage Strategy: Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days, allowing flavors to develop and intensify overnight.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 6 hours
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: Indian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 7
- Calories: 455
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 570 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 18 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 11 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 35 g
- Cholesterol: 140 mg