Name: Easy Slow Cooker Butter Chicken Recipe
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 4 h 30 min
Total time: 4 h 50 min
Cuisine: Indian
Ingredients: 2 medium yellow onions, peeled, cut in half and sliced (~13 oz); 2 lbs boneless skinless chicken breast, cubed; 1 medium red bell pepper, diced; 3 medium carrots, diced (5-6 oz); 1 (15-oz) can tomato sauce; 1 (6-oz) can tomato paste; Juice of ½ lemon; 2 garlic cloves, minced; 1 tablespoon minced fresh ginger (~2-inch piece); 3 tablespoons curry powder; 2 teaspoons garam masala; ½ teaspoon fine salt; 1 tablespoon salted butter, chilled and cut into pieces; ½ cup plain Greek yogurt (whole, low-fat, or fat-free); ½ cup half-and-half

There’s something irresistibly comforting about creamy, spiced butter chicken, especially when it’s effortless to make. This Easy Slow Cooker Butter Chicken Recipe lets you enjoy that rich, aromatic flavor without spending hours in the kitchen — just set it up and come back to a delicious dinner.

A white speckled bowl holds a serving of white rice on one side, with soft, fluffy texture and small green herb pieces mixed in; the other side features a thick orange sauce with chunks of tender meat, smooth and creamy in texture, garnished with fresh cilantro leaves and sprinkled with white sesame seeds. A gold spoon rests inside the bowl, partially submerged in the sauce, and the background is a white marbled surface with a few fresh herbs scattered near the bowl. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Easy Slow Cooker Butter Chicken Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Easy Slow Cooker Butter Chicken Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Easy Slow Cooker Butter Chicken Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I’ve made butter chicken countless times, but switching to the slow cooker was a game changer for me. This recipe hits all the right notes: it’s flavorful, creamy, and tender, while being incredibly hands-off — perfect for busy days when you want a cozy meal waiting for you.

Simple Ingredients: Uses common pantry staples and fresh produce you’ll probably already have on hand.
Effortless Cooking: Just toss everything in the slow cooker and forget it — the magic happens while you relax.
Rich Flavor Without Fuss: Slow cooking lets the spices deeply infuse the chicken, delivering that signature buttery taste and silky texture.
Perfect for Meal Prep: Makes great leftovers and freezes beautifully for those days you want an easy reheat dinner.

Ingredients & Why They Work

This recipe blends familiar Indian spices with fresh veggies and creamy elements that balance heat and sweetness. Each ingredient brings its own magic, making your slow cooker version taste like it simmered for hours.

Flat lay of two medium yellow onions halved and sliced, cubed raw boneless skinless chicken breast, one medium red bell pepper diced, three medium carrots diced, a small white ceramic bowl of smooth tomato sauce, a small white ceramic bowl of thick tomato paste, half a fresh lemon cut in half, two peeled garlic cloves, a small piece of fresh ginger root sliced, a small white ceramic bowl filled with bright yellow curry powder, a small white ceramic bowl with ground garam masala spices, a small white ceramic bowl of fine salt, several chilled pieces of salted butter, a small white ceramic bowl of plain Greek yogurt, a small white ceramic bowl of half-and-half cream placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Yellow onions: Sliced onions create a tender, flavorful base that caramelizes slightly as it cooks.
Boneless skinless chicken breast: Cubed for even cooking and juicy bites, perfect for absorbing spice.
Red bell pepper: Adds sweetness and vibrant color, brightening the dish.
Carrots: Give a subtle natural sweetness and texture contrast.
Tomato sauce & tomato paste: Provide the rich, tangy body of the sauce that balances creaminess.
Lemon juice: Lifts flavors and adds a touch of brightness against the richness.
Garlic & fresh ginger: Classic aromatics that bring warmth and depth.
Curry powder & garam masala: Essential spices that add complexity and authentic Indian flavor.
Salt & butter: Salt enhances all flavors, and butter adds the silky, luscious finish.
Greek yogurt & half-and-half: Added last to keep the sauce creamy without curdling, giving a luxurious mouthfeel.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

I love experimenting with this Easy Slow Cooker Butter Chicken Recipe — sometimes adding a little extra garam masala for warmth, or swapping Greek yogurt for coconut milk if I want a dairy-free twist. Don’t be afraid to personalize it according to your taste or what you have on hand.

Variation: I once added a handful of spinach in the last 30 minutes of cooking, which brought beautiful color and a fresh bite while still blending seamlessly with the creamy sauce.
Dietary swap: For a dairy-free version, substitute the Greek yogurt with coconut yogurt and the half-and-half with canned coconut milk — it’s a lovely variation that keeps the flavor rich.
Spice level: To crank up the heat, sprinkle in some cayenne pepper or chopped green chilies — I personally like it mild, but you do you!

Step-by-Step: How I Make Easy Slow Cooker Butter Chicken Recipe

The image shows a white bowl filled with a rich orange curry that has chunks of meat covered in creamy sauce with visible red and green herbs. The curry is sprinkled with white sesame seeds and small green leaves. On one side of the bowl, there is a serving of white rice with a soft, folded piece of pale yellow flatbread resting on the edge and slightly dipping into the curry. The bowl sits on a white marbled surface with a small white bowl filled with chopped green herbs visible near it. A gold spoon is placed inside the bowl, partially submerged in the curry, with a woman's hand slightly holding the bowl. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Step 1: Layer the Flavor Foundation

The very first thing I do is slice up the yellow onions and lay them in the bottom of my slow cooker. This creates a natural bed the chicken and veggies can rest on, and those onions slowly soften and sweeten as everything cooks — giving the dish a subtle depth of flavor you can’t rush.

Step 2: Toss Everything Together

In a big mixing bowl, I combine the chicken cubes, red bell pepper, carrots, tomato sauce, tomato paste, lemon juice, garlic, ginger, curry powder, garam masala, and salt. Give it a good toss until every piece is coated – this is where the flavor magic begins!

Step 3: Assemble and Cook Low and Slow

Transfer the chicken mixture right over the onions in the slow cooker. Then dot the top with pieces of chilled butter—it slowly melts in there, adding that rich, silky finish. Pop the lid on, cook on high for about 4 ½ hours or low for 6 ½ hours, and go about your day without worrying.

Step 4: The Finishing Touches

Once it’s done, remove the lid and stir everything together. Then here’s the important part: let the mixture cool for about 5 to 10 minutes — this helps avoid curdling when you stir in the Greek yogurt and half-and-half. After that, gently fold those in for an ultra creamy, decadent sauce you'll adore.

Top Tip

From my experience, the biggest difference between a good slow cooker butter chicken and a truly unforgettable one lies in the layering of flavors and mindful finishing touches. Letting the dish cool slightly before stirring in the yogurt and half-and-half is a game-changer to keep that silky smooth texture.

Butter placement: Dotting cold butter on top at the start creates pockets of richness that slowly melt and blend beautifully.
Don’t skip the cooling: Stirring in dairy too hot will cause the sauce to curdle—patience here keeps it creamy.
Fresh aromatics: Using fresh garlic and ginger instead of powders makes a noticeable difference in flavor authenticity.
Even cubed chicken: Cutting your chicken into uniform pieces ensures everything cooks evenly and stays juicy.

How to Serve Easy Slow Cooker Butter Chicken Recipe

slow cooker butter chicken - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I’m a big fan of topping this butter chicken with fresh chopped cilantro because it cuts through the richness and adds fresh herbal notes. Toasted sesame seeds are my secret extra; their subtle crunch adds a fun texture contrast you might not expect but will love once you try it.

Side Dishes

Serving this over fluffy basmati rice is a no-brainer for me, but cauliflower rice works beautifully if you’re looking for a lower-carb option. Fresh warm naan bread is essential — it’s perfect to scoop up that creamy sauce and makes the meal feel even more comforting.

Creative Ways to Present

For a special occasion, I like to serve this butter chicken in elegant ramekins with a sprig of cilantro and a few toasted almonds on top — it looks gorgeous and feels like a treat. Pair it with a cucumber raita or a simple cucumber salad dressed in lemon and chat masala for a refreshing balance.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I usually store leftovers in airtight containers in the fridge for up to 3 days. The flavors actually deepen overnight, so it tastes even better the next day. Just be sure to keep the yogurt stirred in fresh before chilling so it keeps its creamy texture.

Freezing

This Easy Slow Cooker Butter Chicken Recipe freezes well, making it a perfect meal prep option. I portion it into freezer-safe containers, leaving out the yogurt and half-and-half until reheating to maintain creaminess. Freeze for up to 3 months.

Reheating

When reheating, I gently warm the butter chicken over low heat on the stove, then stir in the yogurt and half-and-half at the end once it’s cooled slightly to avoid curdling. Using a microwave is fine too, just heat in short bursts and stir frequently.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use chicken thighs instead of chicken breasts?

Absolutely! Chicken thighs are even more forgiving and stay super juicy and tender with slow cooking. Just adjust the cooking time slightly if pieces are larger.

How do I prevent the yogurt from curdling?

Let the slow cooker butter chicken cool for about 5-10 minutes before stirring in the yogurt and half-and-half. Adding dairy to hot food causes curdling, so this cooling step is key for creamy sauce.

Can I make this recipe spicy?

Yes! You can increase the curry powder, add cayenne pepper, or include chopped green chilies to the mix, depending on your spice tolerance. Start small and adjust to taste!

What do I serve with butter chicken?

Butter chicken pairs beautifully with basmati rice, naan bread, or even cauliflower rice for a lower-carb option. Fresh garnishes like cilantro or toasted sesame seeds add extra flavor and texture.

Final Thoughts

This Easy Slow Cooker Butter Chicken Recipe has become one of my go-tos when I want a comforting meal without the fuss. It’s perfect for weeknights or when you have guests and want to impress without the stress. Give it a try—you’ll love coming home to that fragrant, creamy goodness waiting for you.