The Best Crockpot Butter Chicken: Easy Takeout Fakeout Dinner Recipe

There are certain smells that transport you instantly. For me, the warm, complex aroma of simmering spices—ginger, garam masala, turmeric—is the smell of a perfect weekend. Butter Chicken, or Murgh Makhani, is arguably one of the greatest comfort foods on the planet, a dish that balances the heat of chili with the richness of cream and tomato.²

The problem? Traditional recipes require layering spices, searing chicken, and slow simmering—a process that is not exactly conducive to a Tuesday evening rush. I spent years trying to find a shortcut that didn’t sacrifice that authentic, velvety-rich flavor.

That’s when I realized the slow cooker was the answer.

This Crockpot Butter Chicken recipe is a game-changer. It takes all the flavor complexity of the traditional Indian dish and automates the process. The low, slow heat of the crockpot melds the spices and tenderizes the chicken to perfection, creating a deeply flavored sauce that is silky smooth and rich. The result is a takeout fakeout so good, you’ll swear it came from your favorite Indian restaurant.

This recipe is a Pinterest winner because it combines the simplicity of crockpot recipes with the desire for exciting, international flavor. If you’re looking for a family favorite that brings a little spice and a lot of comfort to your table, this is the curry recipe you need.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This recipe consistently drives traffic because it satisfies the craving for authentic flavor with the modern demand for ease, making it the ultimate easy weeknight dinner.

Authentic Flavor, Zero Fuss

The beauty of this Crockpot Butter Chicken is that the slow cooker acts as a perfect braiser. By cooking the chicken directly in the sauce with the spices, the flavors have hours to deepen and infuse into the meat. This eliminates the need for marinading or complex pre-sautéing of aromatics, yet still yields a sauce that tastes wonderfully rich and layered—the hallmark of great Indian food.

The Ultimate Takeout Fakeout

Ordering Indian food for a family can be expensive. This recipe uses simple, inexpensive ingredients like canned tomatoes, chicken, and basic spices to create a large batch of delicious curry for a fraction of the cost. The final result, with the velvety tomato base and tender chicken, rivals anything you’d get delivered, making it a powerful takeout fakeout and a smart budget-friendly meal.

Perfect for Meal Prep Ideas

Curries are one of the best foods for leftovers, and this slow cooker chicken dish is no exception. The flavors only intensify the longer they sit, making it an ideal choice for meal prep ideas. Cook a big batch on Sunday, and you have healthy, flavorful lunches and dinners ready for the entire week. It freezes beautifully, too!

Ingredients and Instructions: The Creamy, Spiced Foundation

The secret to a great Butter Chicken sauce is achieving the right balance of sweet (from the tomatoes and a touch of sugar), sour (from the yogurt/lemon), and fat (from the butter/cream).

The Basic Instructions:

1. Sauté (Optional but Recommended): In a small skillet, melt 1 tablespoon of butter. Sauté the onion for 5 minutes until soft. Add the ginger and garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
2. Mix Sauce Base: In the slow cooker, combine the sautéed onion/ginger/garlic, crushed tomatoes, Greek yogurt, the remaining 3 tablespoons of butter, and all the spices (garam masala, turmeric, cumin, coriander). Whisk well.
3. Add Chicken: Stir the cubed chicken into the sauce until fully coated.
4. Cook: Cover and cook on LOW for 4–5 hours or on HIGH for 2–3 hours. The chicken is done when it is fork-tender.
5. Final Creaminess: Once cooked, stir in the heavy cream. Let it heat through for 10 minutes. Taste and add salt/sugar if needed.
6. Serve: Serve hot over basmati rice with a side of naan bread and a garnish of fresh cilantro.

The Best Crockpot Butter Chicken

This Slow Cooker Butter Chicken is rich, creamy, and full of warm spices without being too hot. Juicy chicken thighs are slow-cooked in a flavorful tomato-based sauce and finished with butter and cream for a classic, comforting Indian-inspired dish the whole family will love.

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Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 1 hour hr 30 minutes mins

Total Time 1 hour hr 45 minutes mins

Servings: 4 people

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: Fusion, Indian

Calories: 580

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients

  

• 5 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons fresh ginger, grated
• 16 oz tomato sauce or passata
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 2 teaspoons garam masala
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1 teaspoon ground turmeric
• 1/2 teaspoon chili powder (optional for heat)
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon granulated sugar or honey
• 2 lb chicken thighs
• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into small cubes
• 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream (or double cream)
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, mint, or cilantro, for garnish

Equipment

• 4-quart slow cooker
• knife and cutting board
• mixing spoon or whisk
• instant-read thermometer
• serving bowl

Method

 

1. To the slow cooker, add garlic, ginger, tomato sauce, cumin, garam masala, paprika, turmeric, chili powder, salt, and sugar. Stir well to combine.
2. Add chicken thighs and coat them evenly with the sauce mixture.
3. Scatter butter cubes over the top. Cover and cook on HIGH for 1.5–2 hours or LOW for 4–6 hours, until the chicken reaches 165°F internally.
4. Remove chicken from the slow cooker and let cool slightly before cutting into bite-sized pieces.
5. Stir heavy cream into the sauce and whisk until creamy and smooth.
6. Return chicken pieces to the slow cooker and stir to coat in sauce. Garnish with fresh herbs before serving.
7. Serve hot with basmati rice and naan bread.

Notes

Tips: Use tomato sauce, passata, or blended canned tomatoes. Don’t add water — the chicken releases enough liquid for a thick, flavorful sauce. Add sugar if your tomato base is too acidic. For a lighter option, substitute half and half or coconut milk for heavy cream. Make ahead: Cook and refrigerate for up to 4 days or freeze up to 2 months. Serving suggestion: Serve with basmati rice and naan bread, garnished with fresh cilantro, mint, or parsley.

Step by Step: Getting That Restaurant-Quality Velvety Sauce

The biggest hurdle for homemade Butter Chicken is getting that rich, smooth, restaurant-quality sauce. My early attempts were often grainy or thin. The secrets to this Crockpot Butter Chicken are in the prep of the aromatics and the perfect final touch of fat.

Here is the detailed, human-written guide to mastering this slow cooker chicken recipe:

Step 1: The Flavor Kick-Start (Sautéing the Aromatics)

While most crockpot recipes involve dumping everything in at once, I strongly urge you not to skip the quick sauté of the onion, garlic, and ginger. Sautéing these aromatics in butter for a few minutes transforms their sharp, raw flavor into a deep, savory sweetness. This simple 5-minute step makes the final sauce taste like it’s been simmering for hours, not just mixing in a slow cooker.

Step 2: The Greek Yogurt Magic

Using Greek yogurt in the sauce serves a dual purpose: it adds the necessary tanginess (acidity) to balance the sweet tomatoes, and it acts as a tenderizer for the chicken during the slow cook. Important Tip: Whisk the yogurt into the sauce base first to ensure there are no clumps before adding the chicken. This creates a smoother texture from the beginning.

Step 3: The Low-and-Slow Advantage

Unlike many chicken recipes, this dish benefits from the full cook time. The longer the spices sit in the warm, moist environment of the slow cooker, the deeper their flavors become. The fat from the butter and the Greek yogurt helps prevent the sauce from sticking or scorching on the LOW setting. The chicken will become so tender it will almost melt into the sauce.

Step 4: Smoothing the Sauce (The Secret Weapon)

While the sauce will be mostly smooth, you can make it truly restaurant-quality by using an immersion blender. Once the chicken is cooked and you’ve added the cream, use an immersion blender to quickly purée the sauce until it is velvety smooth. If you don’t have one, just make sure you use crushed tomatoes (not diced) and mash any visible onion pieces against the side of the pot with a spoon. This small step transforms the mouthfeel, elevating your takeout fakeout.

Step 5: The Final Finish and Balance

Once the heavy cream is stirred in, taste the sauce one last time. If it tastes slightly dull, add a pinch of salt. If it tastes too acidic (sour), add a tiny pinch of sugar or honey. If it needs a final pop of freshness, squeeze in a tablespoon of lemon juice. The right balance of these elements is what makes Butter Chicken shine, creating a beautiful creamy chicken dish.

Variations, Serving, and Storage FAQs

This core Crockpot Butter Chicken recipe is a foundational meal that is easy to customize for dietary needs or simple meal prep ideas.

Delicious Variations to Try:

• Spicier Curry: For those who like heat, add $1/2$ teaspoon of cayenne pepper or a chopped green chili along with the spices. The heat mellows slightly as it cooks.
• Healthier Chicken: For a healthy dinner option, replace the heavy cream with $1/2$ cup of full-fat coconut milk or evaporated milk. The sauce will be slightly thinner but still rich and creamy.
• Vegetarian Butter Paneer: Substitute the chicken with 1 pound of cubed paneer cheese (added during the last hour of cooking) or 2 cans of drained chickpeas (added at the beginning) for a delicious vegetarian curry recipe.
• Veggie Loaded: For a complete one-pot meal, add 1 cup of frozen peas and carrots or cubed sweet potatoes during the last hour of cooking.

Serving Suggestions:

This flavorful Indian food dish is best served with traditional sides:

1. Basmati Rice: Steamed basmati rice is the classic base, perfect for soaking up the velvety sauce.
2. Naan or Roti: Warm naan bread or chapati (roti) is essential for scooping up every last bit of the creamy chicken sauce.³
3. Yogurt and Cilantro: Garnish with fresh chopped cilantro and a small dollop of plain Greek yogurt for color and a cool, fresh contrast.

Frequently Asked Questions

Conclusion: Your New Weeknight Superstar

The Crockpot Butter Chicken is the definitive recipe for those who want rich, complex flavor without the demanding stovetop process. It elevates the simplicity of crockpot recipes to a new level, delivering a takeout fakeout that will save you time and money.

By mastering the slow cooker method, you’ve unlocked a secret to consistent, delicious Indian food right in your own kitchen. Prepare to make this easy weeknight dinner your new family obsession.

Pin this curry recipe today and get ready for a week of delicious, easy dinners!