This is going to be your favorite EASY slow cooker chicken tikka masala recipe! Tender-cooked chicken in a flavor-bursting tomato-based sauce and warm spices like turmeric, red chili powder, and garam masala served over hot basmati rice with authentic flavors that take only half the effort! Here is how...
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First, thank you for the overwhelmingly positive feedback on my Instant Pot Chicken Tikka Masala recipe and for making it go viral on social media. I am thrilled that you have enjoyed the easy recipe with authentic flavors.
Are you wondering why a slow cooker recipe? Many of you have asked about making the Instant Pot recipe using the delayed timer mode. The concern here is to let the raw chicken sit for hours at room temperature. So instead, I decided to test the tikka masala recipe using the Instant Pot's slow-cook mode. I loved the fact that you can simply add all the ingredients and let them cook over slow heat. Note: This is the Slow Cook (Hi) setting on the Instant Pot.
Knowing many of you also have a crockpot slow cooker, I also tried the recipe in the crockpot, and I was thrilled with the results. The only change I made is to saute the onions for 5 minutes before adding them to the crockpot. This brings in the subtle sweet flavors of the onions and avoids the crunchy texture of the final dish. Note: Please do not puree onions (one of the mistakes I made), as it will leave a raw onion taste to the curry.
Looking for a stovetop version? I've got you covered with my Authentic Chicken Tikka Masala! Whether you prefer making it in the Instant Pot, Slow Cooker, or on the stovetop, this restaurant-favorite Indian curry is easy to recreate at home. Love cozy meals? Check out my favorite Vegetarian Indian curries and Chicken dishes for comforting, flavor-packed dinners!
Ingredient Tips for the Best Slow Cooker Chicken Tikka Masala
- Chicken - Use boneless, skinless chicken breasts cut into 2 to 3-inch pieces. This size helps the chicken stay tender without falling apart.
- Yogurt - Full-fat plain yogurt works best for a rich marinade. Greek yogurt can be used if needed.
- Kashmiri Red Chili Powder - Adds vibrant color without too much heat. Adjust quantity if using a different chili powder.
- Garam Masala - Fresh homemade or high-quality store-bought makes a big difference in flavor.
- Onions - Sauté them before adding to the slow cooker for a sweeter, more balanced sauce and smoother texture.
- Tomato Puree - Pomi Strained Tomatoes are my go-to for their rich, fresh flavor, especially when fresh tomatoes aren't in season.
- Tomato Paste - Optional, but great for deeper color and flavor if your tomato puree isn't very bold.
- Fenugreek Leaves - A must for authentic restaurant-style flavor. Crush before adding for the best aroma.
- Cream - Use heavy cream for richness or try coconut or cashew cream for a dairy-free option.
How to Make Slow Cooker Chicken Tikka Masala
Here is my step-by-step recipe for the best slow-cooker Indian meal:
Step 1: Cut the chicken breasts into 2 to 3-inch cubes. Add salt and lemon juice and mix well. Add yogurt, red chili powder, turmeric, garam masala, ginger, and garlic. Mix well and allow to marinate while you prep the remaining ingredients.
Step 2: Sauté onions in oil with a little salt until soft and translucent (about 5 minutes). You can do this on the stovetop or directly in the Instant Pot if using it as a slow cooker.
Step 3: Layer sautéed onions in the slow cooker, then spread tomato puree on top. Add the marinated chicken, cover, and slow cook on High for 4 hours or Low for 6 to 8 hours.
Tips for the best slow cooker chicken tikka masala
- Use plain full-fat or Greek yogurt for a rich marinade.
- Pat the chicken dry before marinating to avoid extra moisture.
- Fresh garam masala makes a big difference; try my homemade version or use a good quality blend.
- Don't skip sautéing the onions; this step adds sweetness and avoids crunchy bites.
- Let the curry cool slightly before stirring in the cream for a silky smooth sauce. Use ⅓ cup for lighter or up to ¾ cup for a creamier finish.
★ Tried this recipe? I'd love to hear how it turned out! Leave a comment and let me know, or snap a quick pic and upload it-I love seeing your creations. If you're on Instagram, tag @ministry_of_curry so I can check it out. Your feedback means so much to me and makes all the time I spend perfecting each recipe totally worth it. Thank you!
Recipe
Slow Cooker EASY Chicken Tikka Masala
Equipment
- Slow Cooker
Recipe Video
Ingredients
- 2 pounds chicken breasts skinless boneless
- 2½ teaspoons kosher salt
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 3 tablespoons plain yogurt
- 1 tablespoon kashmiri red chili powder
- ½ teaspoon ground turmeric
- 1½ teaspoon garam masala
- 1 tablespoon ginger grated
- 1 tablespoon garlic minced
- 2 tablespoons oil
- 2 medium yellow onions finely diced
- 1½ cups tomato puree
Garnish:
- ½ to ¾ cup heavy cream
- 1 to 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 2 tablespoons kasoori methi (dried fenugreek leaves) kasoori methi
- ½ cup cilantro chopped
Instructions
- Cut the chicken breasts into 2 to 3-inch cubes. Add 2 teaspoon salt and lemon juice and mix well. Add yogurt, red chili powder, turmeric, garam masala, ginger, and garlic. Mix well and allow to marinate while you prep the remaining ingredients.
- Heat oil in a medium pan. Add onions and ½ teaspoon of salt. Cook over medium heat for 5 minutes stirring frequently until the onions start to soften and turn translucent. Note: If you are using Instant Pot as a slow cooker, you can saute in the instant pot itself.
- Add the cooked onions to the crockpot / slow cooker and spread it evenly. Evenly layer tomato puree over the onions. Line the marinated chicken over the tomato puree. Place the crockpot lid and set the cooking time to Slow Cook (Hi) and adjust the cooking time to 4 hours.
- After 4 hours, your kitchen will be filled with the beautiful aromas of the curry. Add heavy cream, crush the fenugreek leaves on the palm of your hands and add to the curry. Mix well, taste, and add tomato paste. Mix well and more cream if needed. Note: Optionally you can add 1 teaspoon of sugar to balance all the flavors. Garnish with cilantro and enjoy with basmati rice and naan.
Notes:
- To make chicken tikka masala without cream or dairy-free, you can either use unsweetened coconut cream (I love Trader Joe's) or homemade cashew cream. To make the cashew cream at home simply blend ½ cup of cashews in half a cup of warm water and make a smooth paste.
- I have tested this recipe using a Crockpot slow cooker, Instant Pot slow cooker function, and Instant Pot AURA Multi Cooker. The advantage with the Instant Pot models is that you can saute the onions in the same pot. With a crockpot slow cooker, you saute the onions in a separate pan on the stovetop.
- If you do not have a good brand of tomato puree like the Pomi one, you can puree 3 fresh tomatoes in a blender and use that instead.
- I like to use chicken breasts in this recipe, but you can also use chicken thighs, simply cut each thigh into 2 pieces.
Nutrition
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Karen says
Fantastic recipe...I did not have the kashmiri red chili so I used 2 teaspoons of paprika and one teaspoon of cayenne. Worked great, but now I want to search out the correct chili powder and make this recipe on a regular basis.
Archana Mundhe says
Thank you for your lovely feednack. I use Kashmiri red chili powder a lot in my cooking as it adds a beautiful orange hue to the curries without too much heat.
Sarah Sanderson says
Love this recipe! It’s wonderful even reheated, and holds up well in the fridge… it’s in my dinner menu rotation for sure.
Archana Mundhe says
Thank you Sarah!
Karen says
What size crock pot is used for this recipe? I have a 4 quart.
Archana Mundhe says
4 QT will work for this recipe.
Matt says
I notice you dont add any liquids here. I found I needed to add a little liquid initially or I would have some of the onion burn on the bottom of the pot.
Archana Mundhe says
You're absolutely right—if the onions are sticking or starting to burn, adding a splash of water or broth at the beginning is a perfect solution. It helps deglaze the pan and prevents burning while allowing the flavors to build up. Thanks for sharing your tip!
Mia says
Great easy recipe. Tried it and the whole family loved it.
Archana Mundhe says
Thank you Mia for your lovely feedback.
Brindy says
This was fantastic! I made 3 different curries for a New Year’s party and this one was by far the most popular . Enjoyed by kids and adults. Will be making again and again.
Archana Mundhe says
Thank you Brindy!
Rebekah Highfield says
Trying to double this recipe. How long should I cook it for?
Archana Mundhe says
If you're doubling the recipe, the cooking time should remain the same. Slow cookers heat at a consistent rate, so the total cook time doesn't usually change. But always check for the doneness of the chicken and add more time if needed.
Kristie says
Any tips on using paneer instead of chicken in this slow cooker recipe? I'm assuming I shouldn't put the paneer in for the 4hrs and wait until the end to add it?
Archana Mundhe says
Great question! Yes, since paneer doesn’t need long cooking, I’d recommend adding it in the last 15-20 minutes of cooking to let it soak up the flavors without getting too soft. You can also lightly pan-fry it before adding for extra texture. Let me know how it turns out!
kristie says
Do you have any tips on using paneer instead of chicken? I'm assuming I shouldn't put the paneer in the slow cooker until the very end?
Jacklyn Evans says
10 out of 10. Perfection! No notes.
Archana Mundhe says
Thank you!!
Pippa says
Really love this recipe! We make it a lot and we all love it. It also freezes really well. It’s a very easy recipe: my teenagers can make it. Thanks!
Archana Mundhe says
Thank you for your lovely feedback! I love that it’s become a regular in your home and that even your teens enjoy making it.
Sarah says
Our new favorite chicken tikka masala recipe! Thank you!!
Archana Mundhe says
Yay! I’m so happy to hear that.Thank you for trying it and making it your new favorite!
Caitlin says
Could this be cooked for longer in the crockpot on low? Would that make the flavors more intense too you think, similar to how it tastes better the next day? Or maybe that requires the cool down/heat up of reheating!
Archana Mundhe says
Great question! The flavors def get more intense overnight. I would recommend making it a day ahead instead of cooking on low.
Angie says
I am looking forward to trying this recipe. I wonder if you can marinade the chicken overnight?
Archana Mundhe says
Hi Angie, yes you can absolutely marinate the chicken overnight. I can't wait for your feedback.
Ashton says
I have been using this recipe for years as a special occasion meal and it is my husband's favorite!! I like to up the kashmiri chili powder because we prefer our curry very spicy but other than that follow the recipe exactly. Thank you for posting.
Archana Mundhe says
Thank you for sharing, it means so much to know this recipe is a favorite in your home.
Pauline says
Tried this and love it. Would recommend.
Archana Mundhe says
Thank you!
Kim says
My whole family really enjoyed this! I do wonder if you pressure cook the raw chicken on high pressure or low? I went with high--it was still pretty tender, but I wonder if it would have been better on low pressure. I did marinate overnight, so the chicken was not dry. Thanks in advance!
Archana Mundhe says
Thank you for the lovely feedback, If you are using a slow cooker I would use the high setting!
Amelia says
Fantastic! Our usual process, if we want curry, is to cook chicken in slow cooker, throw in a jar of store bought tikka masala and call it a day. I decided I wanted to make my own, but figured it would be a difficult, involved process. It was not at all. I did have to order a couple of the ingredients because my store didn't have them, but otherwise--this was so easy and the final product was beyond delicious. One of my kids (in his 20s) has always hated tikka masala. He gave this a try and ended up eating two bowls.
Archana Mundhe says
Ahh this made my day—thank you! So happy the from-scratch version felt easy and won over your “no-tikka” kid (two bowls = chef’s kiss!).