Quick & Flavorful Slow Cooker Chicken Tikka Masala Recipe

Slow cooker chicken tikka masala crafts ordinary ingredients into an extraordinary culinary adventure that tantalizes taste buds with rich, complex flavors.

Indian cuisine lovers appreciate the magic of effortless cooking techniques that deliver restaurant-quality meals without hours of preparation.

This beloved dish combines tender chicken with a creamy, aromatic sauce that promises comfort and excitement in every single bite.

Spices dance together, creating a harmonious blend that whisks you away to vibrant street markets and bustling kitchen scenes.

Traditional recipes often require intricate steps, but our method simplifies the process while maintaining authentic taste profiles.

Modern home cooks can now enjoy sophisticated international meals with minimal kitchen effort and maximum deliciousness.

Prepare to embark on a flavor journey that will revolutionize your dinner routine.

Helpful Tips for Flavorful Tikka Masala

• Marinate Masterfully: Let chicken sit in yogurt mixture for at least 2 hours before slow cooking to enhance tenderness and flavor absorption.
• Spice Layering: Toast whole spices briefly in oil before adding to the sauce to release deeper, more complex aromatics and intensify the dish's richness.
• Cream Control: Add cream or coconut milk at the very end to prevent curdling and maintain a smooth, silky sauce texture.
• Sauce Consistency Hack: For a thicker gravy, remove lid during final cooking stage and let excess moisture evaporate naturally.
• Garnish Generously: Sprinkle fresh chopped cilantro just before serving to add bright, fresh notes and elevate the overall presentation.

Saving and Reheating Tikka Masala Right

• Refrigeration: Transfer cooled chicken tikka masala to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Seal tightly to prevent moisture loss and maintain flavor intensity.
• Freezing Method: Carefully pour the dish into freezer-safe containers, leaving slight space for expansion. Freeze for maximum 2 months. Avoid refreezing to preserve texture and quality.
• Reheating Technique: Gently warm leftovers in a saucepan over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally. Add a splash of water or cream to restore sauce consistency. Microwave works too – heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each to distribute heat evenly. Serve hot with fresh rice or naan for best taste experience.

What Goes with Chicken Tikka Masala

• Pair Creamy Spices with Crisp White Wine: Complement the rich, creamy tikka masala with a chilled Riesling or Gewürztraminer. These wines cut through the dish's heat and balance its complex spices perfectly.
• Refresh with Cooling Lassi Drink: Balance the warm, spicy flavors with a traditional Indian mango or plain yogurt lassi. Its cool, smooth texture provides a delightful contrast to the intense chicken tikka masala.
• Serve Alongside Fluffy Basmati Rice: Create a complete meal by pairing the chicken with fragrant basmati rice. The rice absorbs the sauce beautifully and provides a neutral base that enhances the dish's vibrant spices.
• Enhance with Warm Garlic Naan: Add soft, buttery garlic naan to scoop up the delicious sauce. Its slightly crispy texture and subtle garlic flavor perfectly complement the creamy chicken tikka masala.

Tikka Masala Version Ideas

• Vegetarian Tikka Masala: Replace chicken with firm tofu or mixed vegetables like cauliflower, bell peppers, and paneer. Marinate plant-based protein in yogurt mixture for maximum flavor absorption.
• Spicy Masala Kick: Increase heat by adding extra red chili powder or fresh chopped green chilies. Incorporate fresh jalapeños for an intense, fiery experience that elevates the traditional recipe.
• Coconut Cream Edition: Swap dairy cream with full-fat coconut milk for a rich, dairy-free alternative. Enhance tropical notes by adding a splash of coconut cream and garnishing with toasted coconut flakes.
• Quick Instant Pot Version: Adapt the recipe for pressure cooking by reducing liquid and cooking time. Reduce cooking duration to 15-20 minutes on high pressure, maintaining the same aromatic spice blend for authentic flavor.

What’s Great About Slow Cooker Chicken Tikka Masala

• Slow-Roast Flavor Explosion: This recipe transforms ordinary chicken into a mouthwatering Indian-inspired dish packed with deep, complex spices that develop incredibly rich flavors during the slow cooking process.
• Hassle-Free Culinary Magic: The slow cooker method means minimal hands-on cooking time, allowing busy home cooks to create a restaurant-quality meal with minimal effort and maximum deliciousness.
• Customize Your Comfort: Flexible cooking options let you choose between high or low settings, while the option to thicken the sauce gives you complete control over the final texture of your tikka masala.
• Spice-Lover's Dream: Combining aromatic spices like garam masala, cumin, and turmeric creates a warm, vibrant flavor profile that tingles your taste buds and transports you straight to the streets of India.

Tikka Masala Ingredients You’ll Love

• Chicken: Tender, boneless meat that forms the heart of the dish, preferably fresh and without excess fat.
• Yogurt: Helps tenderize chicken and adds a creamy, tangy base to the marinade.

• Onion: Provides a sweet, foundational flavor to the sauce.
• Garlic, Ginger: Classic Indian flavor enhancers that add depth and warmth.
• Coriander, Garam Masala, Cumin, Turmeric: Essential Indian spices that create complex, authentic tikka masala flavor profile.

• Tomato Paste: Concentrates tomato flavor and helps thicken the sauce.
• Drained Tomatoes: Adds moisture and natural acidity to the dish.
• Cream or Coconut Milk: Provides rich, smooth texture and balances the spices.
• Salt: Enhances and balances all other flavors.
• Cilantro: Fresh herb for garnish, adds bright, herbal note.
• Oil: Used for sautéing aromatics and creating flavor base.

Slow Cooking Steps for Chicken Tikka Masala

Step 1: Prepare Chicken Marinade

Mix chicken pieces with yogurt and salt in a slow cooker. Ensure chicken is evenly coated with the marinade.

• Chicken pieces
• Yogurt
• Salt

Step 2: Sauté Aromatics

Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Sauté onions until soft and translucent, about 8 minutes.

• Cooking oil
• Onions

Step 3: Build Flavor Base

Add garlic, ginger, and spices to the skillet. Cook until fragrant, stirring constantly.

• Garlic
• Ginger
• Coriander
• Garam masala
• Cumin
• Turmeric

Step 4: Create Tomato Sauce

Incorporate tomato paste and drained tomatoes into the skillet. Scrape up browned bits from pan bottom and simmer briefly.

• Tomato paste
• Drained tomatoes
• Remaining salt

Step 5: Combine and Slow Cook

Pour skillet contents over chicken in slow cooker. Mix thoroughly. Cover and cook on HIGH for 4 hours or LOW for 8 hours.

Step 6: Finish and Enhance

Stir in cream or coconut milk. For thicker sauce, leave slow cooker uncovered and cook on HIGH for 30 minutes.

Step 7: Serve and Garnish

Taste and adjust seasoning. Serve with fresh cilantro, rice, or naan bread.

Slow Cooker Chicken Tikka Masala Recipe

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4.6 from 17 reviews

• Total Time: 4 hours 20 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Slow Cooker Chicken Tikka Masala brings Indian restaurant magic straight to home kitchens with minimal effort. Creamy, spiced tomato sauce envelops tender chicken, creating a comforting meal that delivers authentic flavors without hours of complicated preparation for hungry families.

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Ingredients

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Proteins:

• 2 pounds (907 grams) boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into 1-inch pieces
• ½ cup (120 milliliters) whole-milk plain yogurt (not Greek)

Spices and Aromatics:

• 1 ½ teaspoons kosher salt, divided
• 1 large yellow onion, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon peeled and minced fresh ginger
• 2 teaspoons ground coriander
• 2 teaspoons garam masala
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon ground turmeric

Liquid and Additional Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 1 (15-ounce/425 grams) can diced tomatoes, drained
• ¾ cup (180 milliliters) heavy cream or coconut milk
• Chopped fresh cilantro
• Cooked rice or naan, for serving

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Instructions

1. Combine tender chicken pieces with creamy yogurt and a pinch of salt in a spacious 4-quart (or larger) slow cooker, ensuring even coating.
2. Warm olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat until it shimmers, then sauté finely chopped onions until they turn translucent and soft, approximately 8 minutes.
3. Introduce minced garlic, freshly grated ginger, ground coriander, aromatic garam masala, cumin, and turmeric to the onion mixture, stirring quickly to release their fragrant essence, about 1 minute.
4. Add rich tomato paste and cook until it deepens in color, developing a robust flavor profile, roughly 1 minute.
5. Pour in drained crushed tomatoes and remaining salt, gently scraping the skillet to incorporate all browned bits, creating a vibrant sauce.
6. Transfer the spiced tomato mixture to the slow cooker, thoroughly mixing with the marinated chicken to distribute flavors evenly.
7. Secure the lid and slow cook on HIGH for 4 hours or LOW for 8 hours, allowing the chicken to become incredibly tender and absorb the complex spice blend.
8. Stir in heavy cream or coconut milk to create a luxurious, velvety texture and enhance the sauce’s richness.
9. For a thicker consistency, remove the lid and continue cooking on HIGH for 30 additional minutes, allowing the sauce to reduce and intensify.
10. Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt if needed.
11. Garnish with fresh cilantro leaves and serve alongside steamed basmati rice or warm, pillowy naan bread.

Notes

• Marinate chicken in yogurt beforehand to tenderize and infuse rich, creamy flavors deeply into the meat.
• Toasting whole spices like cumin and coriander before adding intensifies their aromatic profile and creates a more complex taste.
• Slow cooking allows spices to meld together, creating a deeply layered sauce that becomes more flavorful as it simmers.
• Using high-quality garam masala is crucial for authentic tikka masala taste, so invest in a fresh, fragrant blend from a reputable spice shop.
• Coconut milk offers a dairy-free alternative to cream, adding a subtle sweetness and silky texture to the sauce.
• Leftovers taste even better the next day as spices continue to develop, making this a perfect make-ahead meal for busy weeknights.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 4 hours
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Slow Cooking
• Cuisine: Indian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 362 kcal
• Sugar: 4 g
• Sodium: 520 mg
• Fat: 24 g
• Saturated Fat: 11 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 0.5 g
• Carbohydrates: 8 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 32 g
• Cholesterol: 185 mg