There’s something so comforting about rich, creamy Indian food simmering low and slow. This Slow Cooker Butter Chicken Recipe is the perfect way to get that cozy, flavorful experience without any stress—just toss the ingredients in the slow cooker and let it work its magic while you relax.

A white round plate holds two main layers: on the left side is fluffy white rice with a soft texture, and on the right side is a thick orange sauce with chunks of tender meat mixed inside. The sauce looks smooth and creamy with a few small red bits, and it covers part of the rice. Fresh green cilantro leaves are scattered on top, along with white sesame seeds, adding a touch of color and texture. A golden spoon is placed in the sauce, standing upright. The plate rests on a white marbled surface with some green herbs placed around it for decoration. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Slow Cooker Butter Chicken Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Slow Cooker Butter Chicken Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:

Why You'll Love This Recipe

When I first tried making butter chicken in the slow cooker, I was amazed by how the flavors deepened over time. It's hands-off cooking at its finest, delivering tender chicken and a luscious sauce that tastes like you spent hours in the kitchen.

Effortless Flavor: The slow cooker melds spices and ingredients perfectly with minimal hands-on time.
Juicy, Tender Chicken: Cooking low and slow keeps the chicken moist and silky soft every time.
Family-Friendly: Mild but flavorful enough that even picky eaters ask for seconds.
Versatile Meal: Serve it over rice, with naan, or even cauliflower rice for a lighter touch.

Ingredients & Why They Work

The magic of this recipe really lies in the balance of spices, fresh ingredients, and creamy additions. Each element plays a role in layering flavor and creating the classic butter chicken richness we all crave.

Flat lay of two medium yellow onions, peeled and halved, bright red diced bell pepper, three fresh orange carrots diced, several whole garlic cloves unpeeled, a small chunk of fresh ginger root, a fresh lemon halved with juice visible, a few pieces of chilled salted butter, raw boneless skinless chicken breast cubes, small white ceramic bowls with smooth red tomato sauce and thick tomato paste, small white bowls with golden curry powder and brown garam masala powder, fine white salt grains in a bowl, a small bowl of thick plain Greek yogurt, a small bowl of creamy half-and-half cream, all arranged perfectly symmetrical and balanced, placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Yellow onions: Their sweetness forms the flavorful base when sliced and layered in the slow cooker.
Boneless skinless chicken breast: Lean and tender, perfect for slow cooking without drying out.
Red bell pepper: Adds a subtle sweetness and color contrast.
Carrots: Bring a mild sweetness and textural balance to the sauce.
Tomato sauce: Provides the smooth tomato body that’s essential for butter chicken.
Tomato paste: Intensifies the tomato flavor and adds richness.
Lemon juice: A splash brightens and balances the creamy sauce.
Garlic: Minced for that essential warm, savory kick.
Fresh ginger: Adds subtle zing and enhances the spice blend.
Curry powder: The star spice blend giving depth and authentic warmth.
Garam masala: A fragrant mix of cardamom, cinnamon, and more for that signature Indian flavor.
Salt: Enhances all the other flavors.
Butter: Adds richness and silky texture when dotted on top before cooking.
Greek yogurt: Stirred in at the end for creaminess and a bit of tang—just be careful not to curdle it.
Half-and-half: Lightens and rounds out the sauce without weighing it down.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

I love customizing this butter chicken depending on what’s in season or who I’m cooking for. It’s such a forgiving recipe that small tweaks won’t throw off the balance—so feel free to experiment!

Add heat: I sometimes add a pinch of cayenne or chopped green chili when I’m in the mood for a little kick.
Dairy swap: For a dairy-free version, swap the yogurt and half-and-half for coconut milk, though it’ll taste a bit different but still delicious.
Veggie boost: Throw in peas or spinach during the last 15 minutes for a green splash and extra nutrients.
Protein options: I’ve used thigh meat instead of breast for extra juiciness, and that works beautifully too.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Slow Cooker Butter Chicken Recipe

The image shows a white bowl filled with white rice on the left side, topped with fresh green cilantro leaves. On the right side of the bowl, there is a creamy orange curry with small chunks of meat covered in a smooth sauce, sprinkled with sesame seeds and more cilantro. Behind the bowl, a piece of soft naan bread is placed upright, leaning on the rim of the bowl. A gold spoon is partially submerged in the curry on the right side. The bowl is placed on a white marbled surface with some green herbs scattered in the background. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Step 1: Layer the Onions for Deep Flavor

I start by slicing the yellow onions and layering them evenly in the bottom of my slow cooker. This isn’t just for easy cleanup—the onions release gentle sweetness that forms a delicious base for the chicken to cook on top of.

Step 2: Mix the Chicken and Sauce Ingredients

In a large bowl, I toss the cubed chicken with diced bell pepper, carrots, tomato sauce, tomato paste, lemon juice, garlic, ginger, curry powder, garam masala, and salt. Make sure everything is evenly coated—this is where the magic begins!

Step 3: Combine and Butter it Up

Next, I add the chicken mixture right over the onions in the slow cooker and dot the top with chilled butter pieces. This butter melts slow and low, giving the sauce that silky rich finish.

Step 4: Cook and Let the Flavors Develop

Pop the lid on and set the slow cooker to low for 6½ hours or high for about 4½ hours. I usually prep this in the morning and come home to an irresistible aroma. The low and slow method is key for tender chicken and complex flavors.

Step 5: Finish with Creamy Goodness

When the timer goes off, I remove the lid, stir everything gently, then let the mixture cool down for 5 to 10 minutes before stirring in the Greek yogurt and half-and-half. This prevents curdling and keeps the sauce beautifully smooth and creamy.

Top Tip

I've learned a few little secrets that make this recipe shine every time—I want to share those to save you from any slow cooker slip-ups.

Onion Base: Don’t skip layering your onions at the bottom—it stops the chicken from sticking and adds that subtle mellow sweetness that really lifts the dish.
Butter Placement: Adding cold butter in pieces on top before cooking gives the sauce a richer, silkier texture—it melts beautifully into the chicken juices.
Cooling Before Dairy: Always wait 5–10 minutes after cooking to stir in yogurt and half-and-half—this little pause prevents the dairy from curdling and keeps your sauce luscious.
Spice Balance: Stick to the combined curry powder and garam masala amounts for the authentic warmth and aroma I love—too much of either can overpower the dish.

How to Serve Slow Cooker Butter Chicken Recipe

Slow Cooker Butter Chicken - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I always top mine with a handful of chopped fresh cilantro—that burst of herbaceous brightness is perfect. Toasted sesame seeds add a nice crunch and a nutty twist, which I genuinely didn’t expect but ended up loving.

Side Dishes

Classic basmati rice or fluffy naan bread are my go-tos for soaking up every bit of that buttery sauce. Lately, I’ve been enjoying it with cauliflower rice for a lighter, low-carb option that still feels indulgent.

Creative Ways to Present

For special dinners, I like serving the butter chicken in small bowls alongside a vibrant salad of cucumber and yogurt raita. It adds a cooling contrast. Sometimes, I even spoon it over mashed potatoes for a comforting twist that surprises guests.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge—it keeps well for 3 to 4 days. The flavors actually deepen as it sits, so leftovers taste even better the next day.

Freezing

This recipe freezes beautifully. I portion it out into freezer-safe containers and freeze for up to 3 months. When you want a quick meal, just thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat gently.

Reheating

I prefer reheating butter chicken slowly on the stovetop with a splash of water or half-and-half to loosen the sauce. This helps maintain that silky texture instead of drying out or curdling.

Slow Cooker Butter Chicken Recipe