– 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs (or breasts, if preferred)
– 1 medium onion, finely chopped
– 4 cloves garlic, minced
– 1 tablespoon ginger, grated
– 1 can (14 ounces) crushed tomatoes
– 1 cup heavy cream
– 1/2 cup unsalted butter (1 stick)
– 2 tablespoons garam masala
– 1 tablespoon turmeric powder
– 1 tablespoon ground coriander
– 1 teaspoon cumin
– 1 teaspoon chili powder (adjust to taste)
– Salt, to taste
– Fresh cilantro, for garnish (optional)
– Cooked basmati rice or naan, for serving
Follow these straightforward steps to create your Slow Cooker Indian Butter Chicken:
1. Prepare the Chicken: Cut the chicken thighs into bite-sized pieces. Season them lightly with salt.
2. Combine Ingredients: In the slow cooker, add the chopped onion, garlic, and ginger at the bottom. Layer the chicken pieces on top.
3. Add Spices: Sprinkle the garam masala, turmeric, coriander, cumin, and chili powder over the chicken. Stir gently to coat the chicken with the spices.
4. Add Tomatoes: Pour the crushed tomatoes over the chicken mixture, ensuring everything is covered.
5. Add Butter: Cut the butter into cubes and scatter them on top of the sauce. This will help create that rich and creamy texture later.
6. Set the Slow Cooker: Cover with the lid and cook on low for 6 to 8 hours or high for 3 to 4 hours.
7. Add Cream: About 30 minutes before serving, stir in the heavy cream. If you’re cooking on high, do this about 30 minutes before the end of the cooking time. On low, you can wait until the last 30 minutes to add cream.
8. Check the Chicken: Ensure the chicken is cooked through and tender. If it shreds easily with a fork, it’s ready to serve.
9. Garnish: Before serving, sprinkle freshly chopped cilantro on top for a burst of color and flavor.
These easy-to-follow steps will guide you towards creating a mouthwatering Slow Cooker Indian Butter Chicken smoothly!