Slow Cooker Indian Butter Chicken
This slow cooker Indian butter chicken recipe combines the rich flavors of a traditional butter chicken with healthy ingredients like Greek yogurt, making it a nutritious and delicious choice for families. Enjoy this easy butter chicken recipe that's perfect for meal prep and packed with proteins.
Ingredients
- 2 medium yellow onions, peeled, cut in half and sliced (~13 oz)
- 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breast, cubed
- 1 medium red bell pepper, diced
- 3 medium carrots, diced (5-6 oz)
- 1 (15-oz) can tomato sauce
- 1 (6-oz) can tomato paste
- Juice of ½ lemon
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon minced fresh ginger (~2-inch piece)
- 3 tablespoons curry powder
- 2 teaspoons garam masala
- ½ teaspoon fine salt
- 1 tablespoon salted butter, chilled and cut into pieces*
- ½ cup plain Greek yogurt (whole, low-fat, or fat-free)
- ½ cup half-and-half
- Optional for serving: cooked white rice, cauliflower rice, naan, chopped fresh cilantro, lime wedges, and/or toasted sesame seeds
Instructions
- Place the sliced onions in the bottom of a 6- or 8-quart slow cooker.
- In a large bowl, combine the chicken, red bell pepper, carrots, tomato sauce, tomato paste, lemon juice, garlic, ginger, curry powder, garam masala, and salt. Toss until well blended.
- Add the mixture to the slow cooker, spreading evenly over the onions. Dot the tops with butter pieces.
- Cover and cook on high for 4 ½ hours or on low for 6 ½ hours.
- Once cooked, turn off the slow cooker and stir everything together.
- Allow the mixture to cool for 5-10 minutes. Stir in the Greek yogurt and half-and-half, mixing until smooth. (Do not skip the cooling step to prevent curdling.)
- Serve over cooked rice or cauliflower rice, with naan if desired. Garnish with cilantro, sesame seeds, and a lime wedge.