The Origins and Allure of Slow Cooker Butter Chicken

Butter Chicken, or Murgh Makhani, is a hallmark of North Indian cuisine, celebrated for its mild yet profoundly flavorful profile. This iconic dish features chicken pieces marinated in yogurt and spices, then slow-cooked in a rich, buttery tomato gravy. It’s a cornerstone of Indian comfort food and a fantastic introduction to the vibrant world of Indian curries, especially when prepared with the ease of a slow cooker.

A Culinary Accident that Became a Legend

The story of Butter Chicken is as rich as its taste, originating in Delhi sometime between 1930 and 1935. Legend has it that the chefs at a renowned restaurant, Moti Mahal, found themselves with leftover tandoori chicken that had become dry. To prevent waste and re-purpose the delicious tandoori, they ingeniously simmered the chicken in a creamy tomato sauce infused with butter. This simple act of culinary improvisation not only brought the dry chicken back to life, making it soft and moist, but also birthed a beloved dish that would captivate palates worldwide: Murgh Makhani. Its instant popularity cemented its place in history as one of India’s most cherished recipes.

Butter Chicken vs. Chicken Tikka Masala: A Flavorful Distinction

Often, Butter Chicken is compared to Chicken Tikka Masala, and while both feature aromatic golden chicken in a creamy curry sauce, they possess distinct characteristics. Chicken Tikka Masala typically emphasizes a robust spice blend in its marinade and a slightly tangier, more intensely spiced tomato base, often with a hint of smokiness. Butter Chicken, on the other hand, prioritizes the lusciousness of its sauce. The generous use of butter (or ghee) and cream, combined with a milder spice profile, creates a smoother, sweeter, and incredibly rich gravy that defines its unique appeal. The slow cooker method enhances this signature creaminess, allowing the flavors to meld into a harmonious, melt-in-your-mouth experience.

Perfect Pairings for Your Murgh Makhani

This Slow Cooker Butter Chicken is incredibly versatile and pairs beautifully with a variety of accompaniments. For a classic Indian meal, serve it with warm, fluffy Naan bread, such as a fragrant garlic naan, to soak up every last drop of the decadent sauce. Crispy papadums or a fragrant pilav rice also make excellent choices. To complete your meal and add a refreshing contrast, consider serving a vibrant green salad, crisp sugar snap peas, cooling cucumber raita, or simple steamed green beans as a fresh vegetable side dish. The mild richness of the butter chicken allows these sides to shine and balance the overall meal.

Essential Ingredients for Your Creamy Slow Cooker Butter Chicken

Creating this irresistible slow cooker butter chicken requires a selection of fresh and flavorful ingredients that are readily available. The beauty of this recipe lies in how these simple components transform into a complex and comforting dish with minimal effort. You’ll find the precise measurements for each ingredient in the comprehensive recipe card located at the bottom of this blog post. Let’s delve into what each key ingredient brings to your Murgh Makhani:

• Chicken breast: For the most tender and consistent results in the slow cooker, boneless and skinless chicken breast cut into bite-sized pieces is ideal. This ensures even cooking and allows the chicken to absorb the rich flavors of the marinade and sauce perfectly. If you prefer a richer flavor and even more moist texture, boneless, skinless chicken thighs can also be used.
• Butter: Unsalted butter is key to achieving the signature creaminess and rich, velvety texture of the sauce. Using unsalted butter gives you control over the overall saltiness of the dish. For an even more authentic Indian flavor and a higher smoke point during initial searing, consider using ghee (clarified butter), which adds a distinct nutty aroma.
• Onions, ginger, and garlic: These three aromatic powerhouses form the foundational flavor base for almost any good Indian curry. Freshly minced or grated ginger and garlic are highly recommended over powdered versions for their potent, vibrant flavor. Caramelizing the onions properly adds a crucial layer of sweetness and depth to the sauce.
• Garam Masala: This essential Indian roasted spice mix is a blend of aromatic spices, often including cinnamon, cardamom, cloves, cumin, and black pepper. Its composition can vary by region, but it’s indispensable for the warm, complex flavor of butter chicken. It’s widely available in most major supermarkets today.
• Spices: Beyond Garam Masala, this recipe incorporates several other spices to build layers of flavor. For the chicken marinade, turmeric offers earthy notes and a beautiful golden hue, while cumin and chili powder add warmth and a gentle kick. Salt enhances all flavors. The sauce also features cumin, coriander (for its bright, citrusy undertones), and additional chili powder and salt to achieve a balanced, deep flavor profile. All these spices are generally easy to find.
• Yogurt: Plain yogurt (preferably full-fat for richness) is crucial for the marinade. Its natural acidity helps to tenderize the chicken breast, ensuring it becomes incredibly soft and juicy during the slow cooking process. It also adds a subtle tang that brightens the overall flavor of the marinade.
• Whole peeled tomatoes: Canned whole peeled tomatoes are the backbone of the buttery tomato sauce. They offer a consistently ripe and robust tomato flavor, which is essential for a slow-cooked dish where flavors have time to develop. You can crush them by hand or break them up with a spoon as they cook; sieving isn’t necessary for the slow cooker method.
• Sugar: A touch of sugar might seem unusual, but it plays a vital role in balancing the acidity of the tomatoes and enhancing the natural sweetness of the other ingredients, creating a more harmonious and well-rounded sauce.
• Cream: Heavy cream is what gives butter chicken its signature luxurious, velvety texture and richness. It’s added towards the end to maintain its creaminess without curdling. If you’re looking for a slightly lighter version, you can substitute a portion of the heavy cream with light cream or milk, though this will result in a less thick and rich gravy.

Crafting Crockpot Murgh Makhani: A Step-by-Step Guide

Preparing this incredibly flavorful Crockpot Murgh Makhani is surprisingly straightforward, allowing you to achieve a deeply satisfying Indian curry with minimal hands-on time. The magic of the slow cooker transforms simple ingredients into an extraordinary meal. For a fully printable recipe with precise measurements, please refer to the detailed recipe card at the conclusion of this blog post. Here’s how you’ll bring this culinary delight to life:

1. Marinate the Chicken for Maximum Flavor: In a large bowl, combine the plain yogurt, minced garlic, grated fresh ginger, garam masala, ground turmeric, ground cumin, chili powder, and salt. Stir these ingredients thoroughly until a well-combined marinade forms. Add your bite-sized chicken breast pieces to this mixture, ensuring every piece is generously coated. The yogurt’s acidity is key to tenderizing the chicken, while the spices infuse deep flavor. Cover the bowl and let the chicken marinate in the refrigerator for a minimum of 3 hours, or ideally, overnight for the most profound taste. This crucial step is what makes your chicken incredibly succulent.
2. Build the Aromatic Base: Begin by melting one tablespoon of butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the finely chopped onions and sauté them until they turn translucent and slightly softened, which should take about 3 minutes. This caramelization process adds a subtle sweetness. Next, stir in the minced garlic and grated ginger, cooking for another minute until fragrant. Then, introduce the ground coriander, cumin, and additional garam masala to the skillet. Stir-fry these spices with the aromatics for about three minutes, allowing them to “bloom” and release their full aroma. Transfer this flavorful onion and spice mixture into the slow cooker pot.
3. Sear the Chicken for Added Depth: In the same skillet, melt the remaining two tablespoons of butter. Take the marinated chicken pieces out of the bowl, allowing any excess marinade to cling to them (do not pat dry, but also avoid pouring any liquid marinade directly into the skillet, as it can cause splattering and prevent proper searing). Sear the chicken in the hot butter until it’s beautifully golden brown on all sides. This quick searing step isn’t about cooking the chicken through but about developing a rich, caramelized crust and locking in juices, which adds an incredible depth of flavor that simple poaching cannot achieve. Once seared, transfer the chicken and any flavorful browned bits (scraps) from the skillet into the slow cooker.
4. Slow Cook to Perfection: To the slow cooker, add the whole peeled tomatoes (you can crush them lightly with your hands or a spoon as you add them), the remaining chili powder, salt, sugar, and the heavy cream. Stir everything together gently to ensure all ingredients are well combined. Place the lid securely on your slow cooker. Cook on the LOW setting for 6 hours, or if you’re short on time, on the HIGH setting for 4 hours. The long, slow cooking process is where the magic happens, transforming everything into a harmonious, tender, and deeply flavored curry.
5. Optional Smooth Finish: For those who prefer an ultra-smooth, restaurant-quality sauce, you have an optional final step. Carefully remove the cooked chicken pieces from the slow cooker using a slotted spoon. Using an immersion blender directly in the slow cooker (or transferring the sauce to a regular blender in batches), purée the sauce until it reaches your desired silky consistency. Once smooth, return the chicken to the puréed sauce. This step is entirely optional; many enjoy the rustic texture of the sauce as is.

Did you savor every bite of this delicious Slow Cooker Butter Chicken recipe? We would absolutely love to see your culinary creations! Tag #byandreajanssen via Instagram! I genuinely enjoy seeing what you make and regularly share the most beautiful photos from our community of home cooks. If you enjoyed this recipe as much as we did, please consider leaving a rating on the recipe card below! Your valuable feedback not only brings a smile to my face but also immensely helps other aspiring home cooks discover and enjoy this wonderful dish.

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Slow Cooker Butter Chicken (Murgh Makhani)

Andréa