Slow Cooker Chicken Tikka Masala Recipe
This Slow Cooker Chicken Tikka Masala recipe delivers tender, flavorful chicken simmered in a rich and aromatic tomato-based sauce infused with traditional Indian spices. Perfect for an easy yet impressive meal, it uses a slow cooker to meld the flavors beautifully with minimal hands-on time, served over fragrant basmati rice.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 6 hours 30 minutes
- Total Time: 6 hours 45 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: Indian
- Diet: Halal
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 2 lbs skinless chicken thighs (about 8 thighs)
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- Salt and pepper, to season
Sauce
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 of a large onion, diced
- 3 teaspoons garam masala
- 2 8 oz cans tomato sauce
- 1 15 oz can diced tomatoes
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1/4 fresh jalapeño pepper, seeds removed and finely chopped (optional)
- 1 cup canned unsweetened coconut milk
- 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped (optional)
Serving
- 4 cups hot cooked basmati rice
Instructions
- Prepare the sauce: In a bowl, combine olive oil, minced garlic, diced onion, garam masala, salt, tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, cayenne pepper, ground cumin, and jalapeño pepper if using. Mix well until the ingredients are evenly incorporated to form the flavorful curry base.
- Cook the chicken: Place the skinless chicken thighs into your slow cooker and season them lightly with salt and pepper. Pour the prepared sauce mixture over the chicken, ensuring the pieces are well coated. Cover and cook on the LOW setting for 6 to 7 hours, allowing the chicken to become tender and infused with the spices.
- Finish the dish: Once cooked, shred the chicken pieces directly in the slow cooker, discarding any bones if present. Stir in the canned unsweetened coconut milk to enrich the sauce, then add the chopped fresh cilantro for a burst of freshness. Serve the chicken tikka masala hot over steamed basmati rice for a complete meal.
Notes
- For a milder dish, omit the jalapeño and reduce or omit the cayenne pepper.
- Using chicken thighs keeps the meat juicy and tender, but chicken breasts can be substituted if preferred.
- Make sure to shred the chicken well to soak up more sauce.
- Serve with naan bread or a side of steamed vegetables for a fuller meal.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheat well.
Keywords: Chicken Tikka Masala, Slow Cooker Chicken, Indian Curry Recipe, Easy Chicken Curry, Slow Cooker Dinner
Find it online: https://tastybynova.com/slow-cooker-chicken-tikka-masala-recipe/
