Creamy Crockpot Butter Chicken (Healthy and Easy)

Creamy, perfectly spiced Crockpot Butter Chicken is an easy, dreamy dinner that you’ll be so glad you made. Our method uses skyr (a type of thick strained yogurt that’s similar to Greek yogurt) to help achieve the perfect saucy chicken that is tender and flavorful right out of the slow cooker.

This post was created in partnership with siggi’s.

What is Butter Chicken?

Indian Butter Chicken, also known as murgh makhani, is a traditional comfort food dish from India that’s made from chicken and a mildly spiced curry sauce. The signature thick, rich, and creamy sauce in Butter Chicken typically includes cream, yogurt, tomato paste, and fragrant spices. Butter Chicken, as its name implies, also contains butter to add some nice richness to the sauce. In this recipe, you dot cold butter pieces over the ingredients in the slow cooker so it melts into the sauce as it cooks … and a little goes a long way! Our version of this flavorful Indian dish is loaded up with veggies and made right in the slow cooker for ultimate preparation ease.

Ingredients for Crockpot Butter Chicken Recipe

Here’s what you need to make this creamy Indian Butter Chicken Recipe right away:

• Yellow onions – we’ve loaded up the onions in this recipe, which get caramelized at the bottom of the slow cooker
• Boneless skinless chicken breast – can use boneless skinless chicken thigh meat, too
• Red bell pepper
• Carrots
• Tomato sauce
• Tomato paste
• Lemon
• Garlic cloves – can sub 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• Minced fresh ginger – fresh ginger is recommended, but you can use 1 teaspoon of dried ginger instead
• Indian spices – use curry powder and garam masala for that warm, fragrant flavor Indian Butter Chicken recipe are known for
• Salt
• Salted butter – you just need 1 tablespoon of butter to create the delicious rich and creamy sauce
• Siggi’s plain skyr – we recommend siggi’s plain skyr (which is a thick, strained yogurt). We like siggi’s because it’s made from only a few ingredients and not a lot of sugar. You can use either 0% or 4% plain siggi’s skyr with great results
• Half-and-half – most Indian Butter Chicken recipes call for heavy cream, but we’ve found that the combo of yogurt and half-and-half is perfect for creating that thick and creamy texture

Find the ingredients list with exact measurements in the recipe card below.

How to make Butter Chicken

Since you can make this Crockpot Butter Chicken recipe right in the crockpot, it comes together with ease. Here are the quick steps to get it cooking:

1. Layer the onions in the slow cooker: In the crock of a 6-quart or 8-quart slow cooker, place the sliced onions. 
2. Combine remaining ingredients and add to the slow cooker: In a large bowl, combine the chicken, bell pepper, carrots, tomato sauce, tomato paste, lemon juice, garlic, ginger, curry powder, garam masala, and salt; toss until well combined. Add the saucy chicken mixture to the slow cooker over top of the sliced onions. 
3. Add the butter: Dot the pieces of butter over top of the mixture. 
4. Slow cook on the low or high setting: Place the lid on the slow cooker. Cook on high for 4 ½ hours or on low for 6 ½ hours. 
5. Add the yogurt and half-and-half: After the cooking time is up, remove the lid. Stir all ingredients until well combined, and turn off the slow cooker. When the liquid stops simmering and steaming (after 5-10 minutes), stir in the yogurt and the half-and-half. (NOTE: If you stir in the yogurt and half-and-half before letting the mixture cool down a little, it could curdle.) 
6. Garnish and serve: Serve over hot cooked rice or cauliflower rice, and/or with naan bread. Garnish with chopped fresh cilantro, toasted sesame seeds, and a squeeze of lime.

For the complete directions and ingredient amounts, scroll down to the recipe card below. All of our recipes include the nutrition analysis, listing calories, protein, carbohydrates, fiber, sugar, sodium, and more per serving.

How to Serve This Crockpot Butter Chicken Recipe

This Indian Butter Chicken recipe, like so many creamy and delicious Indian-inspired recipes, tastes great when serve over a grain, such as rice, and with some key garnishes.

• Cooked rice or quinoa (see our method here for cooking perfect jasmine rice in the Instant Pot)
• Naan flatbread
• For a grain-free dish, serve this butter chicken over cauliflower rice
• Perfect garnishes: We like to add fresh cilantro, a squeeze of lime juice, and toasted sesame seeds.

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Photo Credit: The photos in this blog post were taken by Rachel of Half Acre House

This post was made possible by siggi’s. Although we received compensation for this post, the opinions expressed here are – as always – 100% our own. Thank you for supporting the great companies we work with thereby allowing us to continue creating great recipes and content for you.

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