Description
Cozy, flavorful dish with tender chicken simmered in creamy, spiced tomato sauce seasoned with curry powder, garam masala, and chili powder. Served over rice, quinoa, or naan, it’s a comforting meal that mostly makes itself.
Ingredients
Main
2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 4 medium)
1 tbsp coconut oil
1 small yellow onion, diced (about 1 cup)
1 tbsp minced fresh ginger
4 garlic cloves, minced
1½ tbsp curry powder
1 tbsp garam masala
1½ tsp chili powder
¾ tsp kosher salt
1 (6-oz) can tomato paste
1 small cauliflower (about 4½ cups), cut into florets
1 (14-oz) can tomato sauce
2 tbsp unsalted butter or coconut oil
½ cup half-and-half or full-fat coconut milk
½ cup Greek yogurt (or non-dairy yogurt for dairy-free)
For Serving
Cooked brown rice or quinoa
Warm naan
Chopped fresh cilantro
Instructions
- Heat coconut oil in skillet over medium heat. Sauté onion 3–4 minutes until softened. Add ginger and garlic; cook 30 seconds until fragrant. Stir in curry powder, garam masala, chili powder, and salt; toast 15 seconds.
- Stir in tomato paste until thick. Transfer mixture to slow cooker and add tomato sauce; mix well.
- Arrange chicken breasts and cauliflower in sauce, coating well. Cover and cook on low for 4–5 hours or high for 2½–3 hours until chicken is tender.
- Remove chicken and shred. Stir butter and half-and-half (or coconut milk) into sauce until creamy. Return shredded chicken to slow cooker with yogurt; stir to coat evenly.
- Serve over rice or quinoa, garnish with cilantro, and warm naan on the side.
Notes
Toasting spices deepens their flavor.
Full-fat coconut milk gives richest texture.
Stir in yogurt and cream off heat to avoid curdling.
Adjust spice by adding more chili powder or cayenne.
Store leftovers up to 4 days refrigerated or freeze 3 months.
- Prep Time: 15
- Cook Time: 240
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooker
- Cuisine: Indian-Inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 portion
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 640mg
- Fat: 23g
- Saturated Fat: 11g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Carbohydrates: 21g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 33g
- Cholesterol: 115mg
Keywords: slow cooker butter chicken, creamy tomato chicken, indian butter chicken, easy crockpot chicken curry, coconut butter chicken recipe