Recipe: Slow Cooker Chicken Tikka Masala

Photos by Emma Christensen

I didn’t think chicken tikka masala could really get much better, but then I remembered my best gadget friend: the slow cooker. This is a curry dish that benefits from a nice, long simmer anyway, so why not let that happen while I’m off doing other things? That’s what I call smart cooking.

Spooned over some steamed rice, this easy slow cooker tikka masala is about to make your busy days very happy indeed.

Marinating the chicken in some yogurt while sautéing the onions and garlic with the spices helps both flavor the chicken, tenderize it, and help make a thicker finished sauce. Serve this with a simple pot of basmati rice — if you start cooking the rice at the same time you add the cream at the end of cooking, the whole meal is ready at the same time.

Tester’s Notes

Based on feedback from users who have made this recipe, we have retested and tweaked it, starting with sautéeing the onion, garlic, and aromatics to really develop the deep flavors that are the hallmark of tikka masala. There is also now a spice blend of garam masala, coriander, cumin, and turmeric, and we’ve increased the amount of chicken to feed more people.

Draining the tomatoes also helps to reduce the amount of liquid that form the basis of the sauce, and simmering the final sauce uncovered with the cream or coconut milk helps to thicken it. I’ve really enjoyed this with rice or even some naan for dipping!

– Christine, April 2018

Slow Cooker Chicken Tikka Masala

Yield: Serves 4 to 6

Prep Time: 30 minutes

Cook Time: 4 hours 30 minutes to 8 hours 30 minutes

Ingredients

• 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into 1-inch pieces
  
• 1/2 cup whole-milk plain yogurt (not Greek)
  
• 1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt, divided
  
• 1 large yellow onion, diced
  
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
  
• 1 tablespoon peeled and minced fresh ginger
  
• 2 teaspoons ground coriander
  
• 2 teaspoons garam masala
  
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  
• 1 teaspoon ground turmeric
  
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  
• 1 (15-ounce) can diced tomatoes, drained
  
• 3/4 cup heavy cream or coconut milk
  
• Chopped fresh cilantro
  
• Cooked rice or naan, for serving
  

Instructions

1. Place the chicken, yogurt, and 1 teaspoon of the salt in a 4-quart or larger slow cooker and stir to combine.

2. Heat the oil in a large frying pan over medium heat until shimmering. Add the onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until tender, about 8 minutes. Add the garlic, ginger, coriander, garam masala, cumin, and turmeric and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add the tomato paste and cook until darkened in color, about 1 minute. Add the drained tomatoes and remaining 1/2 teaspoon of salt and bring to a simmer, scraping up the browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Transfer to the slow cooker and stir to combine with the chicken.

3. Cover and cook on the HIGH setting for 4 hours or LOW setting for 8 hours. Stir in the cream or coconut milk. If you prefer a thicker sauce, leave the slow cooker uncovered and cook on the HIGH setting for 30 minutes. Taste and season with salt as needed. Serve garnished with cilantro with rice or naan.

Recipe Notes

Using chicken breasts: Chicken breasts can be substituted for the thighs, although I find thighs hold up better over the long cooking and breasts tend to fall into shreds. Still delicious, though!

Smoky flavor alternative: For a little of that smoky tandoori flavor, try using smoked paprika and roasted tomatoes.

Cooking rice: Here's my favorite method for cooking basmati rice in about 20 minutes: How To Cook Perfect Basmati Rice.

Storage: Leftovers can be refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 4 days or frozen for up to 3 months.

Emma Christensen is a former editor for The Kitchn and a graduate of the Cambridge School for Culinary Arts. She is the author of True Brews and Brew Better Beer. Check out her website for more cooking stories.