Lightened Up Crockpot Indian Butter Chicken

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Slow Cooker Butter Chicken with a healthy twist is a simple way to enjoy Indian-inspired cuisine right in your own kitchen. Come home from work and travel around the world for dinner when you make this one of your favorite go-to crock pot recipes!

Disclosure: This post is sponsored, through a partnership with The Great Courses and originally published on April 18. 2017. As always, all opinions are my own.

Every once in awhile the house goes silent. When you have two boys, any period of time with little or no noise is always suspicious. One time this happened, I looked around and found them in the basement, eyes glued to the TV. This is unusual because they are really good about asking when they can watch a show.

But were they watching cartoons? Nope. Kids shows? Not this time.

They were watching a documentary. It’s actually not uncommon to find my kids watching nature shows or history shows or DIY shows or, my personal favorite, cooking shows.

I love to connect my passion for food with my sons’ passion for learning. Sharing an international dish and telling them about where it is from gets them excited about trying something new.

That’s why I cooked up this tasty slow cooker Indian butter chicken for dinner. I love making Indian food at home because I can control the level of spices, like in these Tandoori Chicken Legs. Plus I can make it healthier too!

What is Butter Chicken?

Indian butter chicken is a dish that originated in India and consists of chicken cooked in a tomato, butter, and cream sauce.

Traditionally the chicken is marinated and cooked in a tandoor oven. Then it is simmered in a tomato-based sauce that is flavored with curry that can include spices such as garam masala, cardamom, pepper, cumin, and more. Butter and occasionally cream are then added to this rich sauce.

How do you make healthy butter chicken?

By cutting down on the butter and swapping heavy cream for a combination of light coconut milk and Greek yogurt, you still get all of the exotic flavors in a lightened up dish. With the flavors of the classic recipe, but fewer calories and fat, this slow cooker recipe is sure to become a favorite!

Crockpot Butter Chicken Recipe

This recipe makes it easy to bring the flavors of India right into your kitchen by turning it into a slow cooker butter chicken recipe. It’s as simple as adding a handful of simple, flavorful ingredients to your slow cooker. Then, let the aromas fill your home.

Here is a brief overview so you can see just how easy it is to make. Scroll down to the printable recipe card for the full quantities and details.
But don’t skip my PRO TIPS below!

What is in Butter Chicken?

Chicken

You can use whole boneless skinless chicken breasts if you would like a version of butter chicken that is shredded or pulled. Or cut your chicken into chunks if you prefer large pieces, like in the photos.

Spices and aromatics

Onion and garlic are cooked with the chicken. And the mixture of spices in this recipe includes curry powder, garam masala, ground ginger, and cayenne pepper.

Sauce ingredients

The tomato sauce is made by cooking the chicken in a mixture of canned coconut milk (you can use light coconut milk to save calories or full-fat coconut milk to make it keto-friendly), tomato paste, butter, and lemon juice. For extra creaminess without heavy cream, Greek yogurt is stirred in at the end.

Directions

The video above shows how to make crockpot butter chicken that is shredded so it’s almost like a slow cooker pulled chicken. But if you want the larger pieces like in the photos, just cut the chicken into chunks before putting it in the slow cooker, and don’t shred it before adding the Greek yogurt.

1. Add the chicken to your crockpot with all of the ingredients except the Greek yogurt.
2.  Cook on low for 8 hours or on high for 4 hours.
3. If you are using the whole chicken breasts, at this point you will remove them from the slow cooker. Shred the chicken with two forks, then return it to the slow cooker.
4. About 15 minutes before serving, ensure your slow cooker is on low, then stir in the Greek yogurt until it is nice and creamy.

Is slow cooker butter chicken gluten free?

Gluten Free Disclaimer: I am not a medical professional. This information is solely based on my research and personal experience, and I provide it as a courtesy to my readers. Please consult your doctor or medical professional for any questions as it relates to your needs, particularly if you have celiac disease or a severe gluten allergy or intolerance. Products, manufacturing facilities, and ingredients change frequently, so you should always contact the manufacturer for the latest information. 

Yes, this butter chicken recipe IS gluten free! I always advise you to read labels, especially in the case of spice blends. This is just in case certain brands add fillers or manufacture where there could be cross-contamination. But in general, this recipe does not use any gluten-containing ingredients.

Serve it over cauliflower rice and it is keto-friendly too!

What do you serve with butter chicken?

• You can serve simple rice and steamed veggies.
• For a low carb dinner, swap traditional rice for some Browned Butter Cauliflower Rice.
• And of course, a piece of Indian naan bread is always a welcome addition to sop up that yummy sauce.
• Then finish the meal with Peach Mango Lassis.

More global recipes

• World’s Best Lasagna
• Slow Cooker Mongolian Beef Stew
• Pork Souvlaki
• Shepherd’s Pie
• Potato Cheese and Pot Cheese Pierogi

More slow cooker chicken recipes

• Slow Cooker Orange Sesame Chicken {with Instant Pot option}
• Apple Cider Slow Cooker Pulled Chicken Sandwiches {with Instant Pot option}
• Crockpot Tomato Basil Pulled Chicken
• Slow Cooker Italian Chicken
• Slow Cooker Chicken Pot Pie

5 from 2 votes

Healthy Slow Cooker Indian Butter Chicken

Make traditional Indian Butter Chicken healthier and easier by lightening up a few of the ingredients and making it in your slow cooker.

Prep: 15 minutes mins

Cook: 4 hours hrs

Total: 4 hours hrs 15 minutes mins

Servings: 8

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Ingredients

• 2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts (whole or cut into 1-inch chunks)
• 1 large onion, sliced
• 6 garlic cloves, chopped
• 2 teaspoons curry powder
• 2 teaspoons garam masala
• 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 14 oz. can of light coconut milk
• 6 oz. tomato paste
• 4 Tablespoons butter or light butter spread
• 2 Tablespoons lemon juice
• 1 cup plain nonfat Greek yogurt

Instructions

• Place the chicken, onion, garlic, and dry spices in the slow cooker.
• Add the coconut milk, tomato paste, butter, and lemon juice.
• Cover and cook on low for 8 hours, or high for 4 hours.
• If you are using whole chicken breasts, remove the chicken from the slow cooker and shred with a fork. Return the chicken to the slow cooker (if you used chunks, just leave them in the slow cooker).
• Stir in yogurt about 15 minutes before serving.
• Salt to taste.
• Serve with brown rice, basmati rice, or jasmine rice. I also served it with steamed broccoli.

Nutrition Facts

Healthy Slow Cooker Indian Butter Chicken

Amount Per Serving (4 oz)

Calories 272 Calories from Fat 108

% Daily Value*

Fat 12g18%

Saturated Fat 7g35%

Cholesterol 89mg30%

Sodium 404mg17%

Potassium 714mg20%

Carbohydrates 9g3%

Fiber 1g4%

Sugar 4g4%

Protein 28g56%

Vitamin A 590IU12%

Vitamin C 9.6mg12%

Calcium 53mg5%

Iron 1.3mg7%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Author: Brianne @ Cupcakes & Kale Chips

Course: Main Dish

Cuisine: Indian

Keywords: butter chicken, chicken, healthy butter chicken, slow cooker, slow cooker butter chicken

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Enjoy!