Slow Cooker Chicken Tikka Masala

Slow Cooker Chicken Tikka Masala is a simple, thick, rich and creamy sweet and spicy sauce. It’s so flavorful with spices like garam masala, paprika, and even cinnamon! It’s not too spicy and perfect served over rice and with a side of naan.
I love a good slow cooker recipe! Slow cookers are good for many reasons, but my favorite reason is how easy they are to prepare a full meal. You can throw everything in the slow cooker and have a delicious, flavorful meal in a matter of hours. If you love slow cooker recipes, you should try these slow cooker beef tips, delicious slow cooker jambalaya, and quick and easy slow cooker lasagna.

Slow Cooker Chicken Tikka Masala
Husband and I went to an amazing Indian restaurant last year. I always get the butter chicken and realized I’ve never tried anything else! I ordered the chicken tikka masala and was blown away! The spices were amazing. I was so excited to try something new and I love it!
I knew right away that I had to make a slow cooker recipe! The flavor of the dish is really complex and usually requires a few hours on the stovetop to meld. The slow cooker is the perfect solution for running out of time! I love all of my slow cooker recipes on my blog, but this might just be my favorite! I love serving it with coconut rice or instant rice when I need to be totally indifferent.
Ingredients
Don’t let this ingredient list scare you! It’s mostly spices and stuff you’ll already have on hand. This slow cooker chicken tikka masala is simple to assemble and toss in the slow cooker. The slow cooker will do everything for you. Just add all the ingredients together in a certain order and you will be AMAZED once you serve it! You can find the measurements below in the recipe card.
Fresh ingredients
- Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts: Chicken does not need to be cooked before adding to the slow cooker, it’s that simple!
- Onion: Even if you’re not an onion fan like me, it’s actually a small, subtle hint of flavor in this chicken tikka masala recipe.
- Garlic: Always a favorite in my book!
- Ginger: Fresh and grated. It is best to use a grater with the smallest grated holes.
- Tomato puree: This is the base and turns the sauce an orange/red color.
- Plain Greek yogurt: I’m a big fan of using yogurt when possible. It is rich, thick and creamy with extra flavor.
- Olive oil: Adds flavor as well as richness to this creamy sauce.
- Heavy cream: Thick, flavorful cream that adds flavor and texture.
- Cornstarch: Thinly coats the chicken and helps thicken the sauce.
- Coriander: Chopped and used for a garnish.
Seasonings
- Garam masala: It is a special seasoning with a blend of seasons within it. This seasoning will add heat and sweetness to the sauce.
- Cumin: This spice is perfect for use in a curry mix.
- Paprika: Adding a little spice to this is a fun touch!
- Salt and pepper: Just a pinch.
- Cinnamon: A secret ingredient that adds so much flavor and sweetness!
- Cayenne pepper: A little extra heat added to the sauce.
- Bay leaves: This is strictly for flavoring and dipping throughout the slow cooking process. Before serving, you will remove the bay leaves.

Slow Cooker Chicken Tikka Masala Recipe
This slow cooker chicken tikka masala is so simple to make and effortless in so many ways. Simply stir in the tikka masala sauce, then add the chicken. It’s basic and no extra prep or cooking. Within hours, you’ll be smelling a delicious dinner that’s hands down one of the BEST you’ll ever make!
- Mix the sauce: In your slow cooker, combine the onion, garlic, ginger, tomato puree, Greek yogurt, olive oil, garam masala, cumin, paprika, salt, cinnamon, pepper black and cayenne pepper.
- Add the chicken and cook: Add the chicken pieces and toss to coat them with the sauce. Then add the bay leaves. Cook over low heat for 6 hours or over high heat for 4 hours.
- Mix and cook a little longer: During the last 20 minutes of cooking, whisk together the cornstarch and heavy cream. Then add the sauce and continue cooking for another 20 minutes.
- To serve: Serve over rice.

Tips for Making Chicken Tikka Masala
This slow cooker chicken tikka masala is so easy! There’s really nothing to do. I just wanted to share a few tips that I think will come in handy when making this dish.
- Find the spices: Garam masala should be in the spice section of your local grocery store. You can probably find it in powder or liquid form. I use powdered spices, but there are a lot of advantages to liquid too! You can use whatever you prefer. If you can’t find garam masala, the spice mix and cumin is a great substitute! You will mix 1 part cumin with ¼ part allspice.
- Serve with Naan: To get the full restaurant experience, you’ll definitely want to make naan. It’s a great bread to make at home, or you can get premade naans at the store. Whatever you do, just make sure it’s on the table!
- Make it dairy-free: You can replace the coconut milk with plain yogurt and heavy cream in this recipe. You will get a slightly different flavor but it will still be amazing. You will want to get the coconut milk in a can that still has all the coconut fat in it.

Storing leftovers
I love this slow cooker chicken tikka masala recipe so much because it makes great leftovers! This is an easy recipe to make in large batches and store throughout the week.
- In the refrigerator: You can store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
- In the freezer: You can freeze your leftovers for up to 3 months in a plastic bag or airtight freezer-safe container.

To print
Slow Cooker Chicken Tikka Masala
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Slow Cooker Chicken Tikka Masala is a simple, thick, rich and creamy sweet and spicy sauce. It’s so flavorful with spices like garam masala, paprika, and even cinnamon! It’s not too spicy and perfect served over rice and with a side of naan.
Servings 4 people
calories 484calories
Ingredients
- 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts cut into 1 inch pieces
- 1 small onion chopped
- 3 cloves Garlic chopped
- 2 Soup spoons fresh ginger grated
- 1 29 oz tomato puree
- 1½ cups plain greek yogurt
- 2 Soup spoons olive oil
- 2 Soup spoons garam masala
- 1 Teaspoon cumin
- ½ Teaspoon paprika
- 2 teaspoon salt
- ¾ teaspoon Cinnamon
- ¾ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon Cayenne pepper
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 Chopped off heavy cream
- ½ Teaspoon cornstarch
- coriander chopped for garnish
Instructions
In your slow cooker, combine the onion, garlic, ginger, tomato puree, Greek yogurt, olive oil, garam masala, cumin, paprika, salt, cinnamon, pepper black and cayenne pepper.
Add the chicken pieces and toss to coat them with the sauce. Add the bay leaves. Cook over low heat for 6 hours or over high heat for 4 hours.
During the last 20 minutes of cooking, whisk together the cornstarch and heavy cream. Add to the sauce and continue cooking for another 20 minutes.
Serve over rice.
Remarks
Article updated on February 5, 2020
Original post from October 6, 2014
Nutrition
calories: 484calories | Carbohydrates: 12g | Protein: 34g | Large: 33g | Saturated fat: 16g | Cholesterol: 158mg | Sodium: 1349mg | Potassium: 689mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 1567UI | Vitamin C: 5mg | Calcium: 155mg | Iron: 2mg
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