Crockpot Chicken Tikka Masala

Once you make this fast and easy Crockpot Chicken Tikka Masala, you’ll want it every week! The chicken is tender and delicious from hours of slow cooking, while the warm Indian spices have plenty of time to blend together for the perfect comforting sauce. Serve with fluffy rice and soft naan for the most satisfying dinner ever! 

Chicken Tikka Masala doesn’t get any easier than this! I created this recipe because people often skip Chicken Tikka Masala in their dinner rotation recipes due to how much time and effort to prepare.  In my opinion, this cooking method tastes just as good, if not better, than any of those tediously time-consuming recipes.

The “better” part comes because of the unbelievably tender chicken this recipe yields from long hours of slow, low cooking and also how much time it gives the spices to meld and develop in this incredible dish.  I’m quite certain this will now be my only method/recipe for Chicken Tikka Masala.  How could I go back to the long, laborious method now?

Never tried Indian food before?  Then now is the time!  How do you describe Indian food and its enticing, delectable flavors in two words?  Bold and exciting! It’s nothing to be intimidated by—you’re going to love it.

If you have never tried Indian food before, you have likely tried the spices it contains in several alternate dishes. Indian food combines all those rich spices into one amazing dish.  So go on and excite your taste buds with this flavorful, spice-packed Indian dish.

How to Serve Crockpot Chicken Tikka Masala

I love to make this dish on very busy winter weeknights. It’s fast to prep in the morning before things get too crazy, and then when it’s dinner time you’ll have a post of perfectly cooked chicken in alluring spiced Tikka Masala sauce. This is a great recipe for busy families, since everyone can scoop up their dinner whenever they can (in between basketball practice and study groups, perhaps). The warm, cozy smell of Tikka Masala will have everyone’s mouths watering.

5 from 10 votes

Print Recipe

Slow Cooker Chicken Tikka Masala

Deliciously flavorful, easy to make Chicken Tikka Masala cooked in the slow cooker.

Servings: 6

Prep20 minutes minutes

Cook6 hours hours

Ready in: 6 hours hours 20 minutes minutes

Ingredients

• 5 boneless , skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1 inch pieces (about 3 lbs)
• 1/2 large yellow onion , finely diced
• 4 cloves garlic , minced
• 2 Tbsp freshly , finely grated ginger
• 1 (29 oz) can tomato puree (I recommend Contadina Brand)
• 1 1/2 cups plain yogurt
• 2 Tbsp olive oil
• 2 Tbsp lemon juice
• 2 Tbsp Garam Masala
• 1 Tbsp cumin
• 1/2 Tbsp paprika
• 2 tsp salt , or to taste
• 3/4 tsp cinnamon
• 3/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper
• 1-3 tsp cayenne pepper*
• 2 bay leaves
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1/2 tbsp cornstarch
• Prepared Long Grain White Rice or Basmati Rice
• Chopped cilantro , for serving

Instructions

• In a large mixing bowl combine chopped onions, minced garlic, grated ginger, tomato puree, plain yogurt, olive oil, lemon juice, Garam Masala, cumin, paprika, salt, cinnamon, pepper and cayenne pepper. 
• Stir until combine. Pour half of sauce mixture into a large slow cooker then add in diced chicken followed then cover chicken with remaining sauce. Add in 2 bay leaves. Cover slow cooker with lid and cook on low heat for 5 to 6 hours (or high for 2 1/2 to 3 hours).
• In a mixing bowl, whisk together heavy cream and cornstarch, pour mixture into slow cooker and gently stir. Allow mixture to cook 20 minutes while you prepare the rice. Remove bay leaves and serve warm over rice and sprinkle with chopped cilantro.

Notes

*I put 1 -3 tsp because it is all depending on your heat preference. If you don't like spicy foods you could even omit this ingredient. I go for 3 tsp but I like my food really spicy.

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: Indian

Keyword: Slow Cooker Chicken Tikka Masala

Author: Jaclyn