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Slow Cooker Butter Chicken
A stunning curry to batch cook or meal prep in your slow cooker. Minimal effort and helps make the midweek meals less stressful.
SERVES
6
CALORIES
544
COOKING TIME
4 hours
DIFFICULTY
simple
What ingredients do I need for slow cooker butter chicken?
To make slow cooker butter chicken, you’ll need:
- Chicken (boneless, skinless thighs or breasts)
- Butter (or ghee for authentic flavour)
- Tomato puree (or chopped tomatoes)
- Double cream or Greek yoghurt
- Garlic and ginger, freshly minced
- Spices (garam masala, cumin, coriander, turmeric, chilli powder)
- Salt & pepper
@boredoflunch Slowcooker Butter Chicken 🧈🍗 (Serves 5 544 Calories including 100g portion of rice) A stunning curry to batch cook or meal prep in your Slowcooker. Minimal effort and helps make the midweek meals less stressful. Ingredients: – 1kg boneless, skinless chicken thighs – 50g lower fat butter – 1 onion, chopped – 2 tablespoons tomato paste – 2 tablespoons garlic paste – 2 tablespoons ginger paste – 1 tsp paprika – 1/2 tsp chilli powder – 1-2 tablespoon garam masala – 1 tbsp curry powder of choice – 1 tsp cumin – 1 tsp coriander – Salt and pepper – 400g (one tin) chopped tomatoes – 100ml chicken stock – 4-5 tbsp fat free yogurt to stir in Serve with: 100g basmati rice pp, add more rice if you like Fresh coriander Method: 1. Cut your chicken into small bitesize pieces and throw into the slow cooker with all the ingredients above. Cook on low for 6-7 hours or high for 3-4 hours. 2. Boil your rice (or feel free to use microwavable pouch) and serve into meal prep containers (I’ll add a link to the meal prep containers in the comments) Enjoy 😊 #boredoflunch #bol #bolrecipes #boredoflunchrecipes #recipe #recipes #butterchicken #slowcooker #slowcookerrecipe #slowcookerrecipes #chickenrecipe #chickenrecipes #mealprep #mealpreprecipes #mealprepfriendly #batchcooking #protein #highproteinmeal #fakeaway #food #foodie #highprotein #like #viral #share #crockpotrecipes #crockpot
Can I Make Butter Chicken Without Cream?
You can make butter chicken without cream by using coconut milk, Greek yogurt, or cashew cream as a substitute. Each alternative maintains the creamy consistency while catering to different dietary needs. Coconut milk is dairy-free, slightly sweet, and adds a rich texture. Greek yogurt provides a tangy, thick consistency and is high in protein—just be sure to stir it in at the end to prevent curdling. Cashew cream, made by soaking cashews and blending them with water, is another natural, creamy alternative.
What’s the Difference Between Butter Chicken and Tikka Masala?
Although butter chicken (Murgh Makhani) and chicken tikka masala share similar flavours, they have distinct differences. Butter chicken originates from India (Punjab) and is known for its smooth, creamy, and buttery sauce. The chicken is cooked directly in the sauce, which has a base of tomatoes, butter, and cream. Chicken tikka masala, on the other hand, is a British-Indian dish with a thicker, chunkier, and spicier sauce. It is made by first grilling or roasting marinated chicken (often in a tandoor) before adding it to the sauce, which has a tomato base with more intense spice flavours. Butter chicken is milder and creamier, while tikka masala has a more pronounced spice kick.
Can I Make Butter Chicken Dairy-Free?
You can make a dairy-free butter chicken by swapping out the cream and butter for plant-based alternatives. Coconut milk or coconut cream is the best substitute for a creamy texture with a hint of natural sweetness. Cashew cream, made by blending soaked cashews with water, mimics the texture of heavy cream without dairy. You can also use a dairy-free butter or ghee alternative to retain the signature richness of butter chicken.
Can I Use Greek Yogurt Instead of Cream in Butter Chicken?
Yes, Greek yogurt is a great substitute for cream in butter chicken. It adds a tangy flavour and makes the dish lighter while keeping it creamy. To avoid curdling, mix the yogurt in at the end of cooking. Full-fat Greek yogurt works best as it has a thicker, richer texture. If you’re worried about separation, whisk it with a little warm sauce before adding it to the dish.
Can I Freeze Slow Cooker Butter Chicken?
Slow cooker butter chicken freezes well, making it a perfect meal prep option. To freeze, allow the dish to cool completely before transferring it to an airtight container or freezer-safe bag. It can be stored in the freezer for up to three months. When ready to eat, thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating. For reheating, use the stovetop on low heat while stirring occasionally, microwave in one-minute intervals, or warm it in the slow cooker on low for 1-2 hours. If the sauce thickens too much after freezing, simply add a splash of coconut milk or broth when reheating.
Method
Step 1
Cut your chicken into small bitesize pieces and throw into the slow cooker with all the ingredients above. Cook on low for 6-7 hours or high for 3-4 hours.
Step 2
Boil your rice (or feel free to use microwavable pouch) and serve into meal prep containers (I use these reusable meal prep containers on Amazon).
Ingredients
1kg boneless, skinless chicken thighs
50g low fat butter
1 onion, chopped
2 tablespoons tomato paste
2 tablespoons garlic paste
2 tablespoons ginger paste
1 tsp paprika
1/2 tsp chilli powder
1 tablespoon garam masala
1 tbsp curry powder of choice
1 tsp cumin
1 tsp coriander
Salt and pepper
400g (one tin) chopped tomatoes
100ml chicken stock
Serve with:
100g basmati rice
Fresh coriander