Chicken Tikka Masala is a popular dish for a reason – it has the perfect blend of spices with a creamy, zesty sauce prepared with tomato sauce, whipping cream, and Greek yogurt. The combination of ingredients will help you create a meal that satisfies you and even keeps you coming back for seconds.
Serve your Chicken Tikka Masala with some fluffy basmati rice or warm naan bread to soak up that rich, flavorful sauce. You can even add a side of roasted vegetables or a simple salad to balance things out. And if you want to make it a little spicier or milder, you can always adjust the seasoning to your taste.
This is a simple dinner that comes together and practically cooks itself. Slow cooker dinners are some of my favorite meals to make. This reminds me of ordering takeout from my favorite restaurant. Try it soon.
What Is Chicken Tikka Masala?
Chicken Tikka Masala is an Indian-inspired dish consisting of boneless chicken thighs chopped into small pieces and marinated in a blend of seasonings and sauce. It’s a creamy dish loaded with flavor from fresh ingredients used to prepare it, such as cumin, turmeric, garlic, and ginger.
Why You’ll Love This Slow Cooker Chicken Tikka Masala
- You can easily prepare a popular dish from scratch at home without having to go to the restaurant for it!
- The Slow Cooker Tikka Masala is so simple because you’re putting the ingredients into the slow cooker and allowing them to cook together for hours.
- You can enjoy this meal at any time of the day, whether you want it for lunch or dinner with your loved ones.
Slow Cooker Tikka Masala Ingredients
You will need several ingredients to prepare this dish, but every ingredient used is well worth the finished outcome when you have your Slow Cooker Tikka Masala ready to serve.
- Yellow Onion – Chop your yellow onion into small pieces.
- Garlic – Peel four cloves of garlic and chop or mince them.
- Grated Ginger – A tablespoon of grated ginger adds a slightly zesty flavor to this delicious recipe.
- Chicken Thighs – You will need two pounds of boneless, skinless chicken thighs for this recipe. Be sure to cut them into 1-inch pieces.
- Tomato Sauce – Pour a 15-ounce can of tomato sauce into the slow cooker.
- Heavy Whipping Cream – Use ¼ cup of heavy whipping cream to create a creamy and delicious base for your chicken.
You will also need canola oil, cumin, turmeric, chili powder, garam masala, tomato paste, salt, pepper, and Greek yogurt to prepare this meal.
Tikka Masala Recipe Notes
Enhance the Spice Factor
If you want to make your dish even spicier, add more chili powder. The more chili powder you put into the dish, the spicier it will taste.
Creamy Texture
If you don’t have heavy whipping cream and still want to make the Slow Cooker Tikka Masala, you can make your own heavy whipping cream with whole milk and melted butter.
Greek Yogurt
Any brand of Greek yogurt will work for this recipe. When selecting your yogurt, a non-fat option is a great choice, especially if you’re trying to watch what you put into your meals.
Fully Cook Chicken
Use a meat thermometer to ensure the chicken is fully cooked. You want the internal temperature to be 165 degrees internally.
If you’re looking for a warm, comforting, and flavorful dish that practically makes itself, then you’ve got to try this Slow Cooker Chicken Tikka Masala. This recipe is the perfect blend of spices, creamy sauce, and tender chicken, all cooked low and slow in your slow cooker for a truly hands-off meal that’s full of flavor.
Chicken Tikka Masala is a classic dish that’s loved by so many for its bold, aromatic spices and rich, creamy sauce. The best part about making it in the slow cooker? It’s ridiculously easy! You don’t have to spend hours stirring pots or babysitting the stove. Just throw everything in your slow cooker, set it, and let the magic happen. By the time you’re ready to eat, you’ll have a delicious, restaurant-worthy meal waiting for you.
Tikka Masala Substitutions
- If you don’t have canola oil, you can use vegetable oil as a replacement for it in this Slow Cooker Tikka Masala recipe.
- When you want to make this dish a bit less spicy, you can use paprika as a replacement for the chili powder. You can also still use some chili powder and then replace half of it with the paprika.
- The chicken breast will work well in this recipe. If you prefer to use chicken breast instead of chicken thighs, you can definitely make the swap.
Slow Cooker Tikka Masala FAQs
Is the Slow Cooker Tikka Masala spicy?
No, this dish isn’t spicy. However, some people may feel it has a slight kick to it because of the chili powder. If you’re sensitive to spices, you can use paprika.
Can I make a meatless version of this dish?
Absolutely. You can replace the chicken with vegetables, potatoes, or even chickpeas, depending on what you like best.
How do I store the leftovers?
Put any leftovers in an airtight container and keep them in the fridge for up to five days. When you need to heat your meal, you can pour the contents of the container back into the slow cooker and reheat it for one hour.
Prepare this Slow Cooker Chicken Tikka Masala and surprise your loved ones. It is unique and flavorful. It’s such an easy meal to make and is so good that even the pickiest eaters will enjoy it.
The beauty of slow cooking is how all those spices—like cumin, coriander, turmeric, and garam masala—infuse into the chicken, making every bite burst with flavor. The chicken becomes incredibly tender and juicy, while the sauce thickens up and takes on a wonderfully creamy texture thanks to a bit of yogurt and cream. It’s the kind of dish that warms you up from the inside out, making it perfect for cozy nights or any time you need a little comfort food.
This recipe is also a huge time-saver. There’s no need to marinate the chicken overnight or stand over the stove stirring constantly. You just add everything to the slow cooker in the morning, go about your day, and come back to a meal that’s ready to go. It’s like a big hug in a bowl—plus, the leftovers are amazing for lunch the next day!
The best part about this dish? It’s an easy crowd-pleaser! Whether you’re feeding your family, hosting a gathering, or just want a flavorful meal for yourself, Slow Cooker Chicken Tikka Masala is sure to satisfy everyone at the table. Plus, it’s a great way to introduce people to the delicious world of Indian-inspired flavors if they haven’t tried it before. So if you’re craving something hearty, flavorful, and easy to make, give this Slow Cooker Chicken Tikka Masala a try. It’s comfort food at its finest, and you’ll love how little effort it takes to make such a big impact on your taste buds. Happy cooking!
More Slow Cooker Recipes
Slow Cooker Tikka Masala
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon canola oil
- 1 cup yellow onion chopped
- 4 garlic cloves minced or finely chopped
- 1 tablespoon freshly grated ginger
- 1 tablespoon garam masala
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon turmeric
- 3 tablespoons tomato paste
- 2 pounds boneless and skinless chicken thighs cut into 1-inch pieces
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt
- 1 15-ounce can of tomato sauce
- 1/4 cup heavy whipping cream
Instructions
- Heat the canola oil in a 12-inch skillet over medium-high heat. Add the onions and cook until they are translucent, about 4 minutes.
- Add the garlic and ginger and cook for about 30 seconds or until fragrant. Mix in the garam masala, chili powder, cumin, and turmeric, then stir in the tomato paste and cook for 1 more minute. Remove the onion mixture from the heat and pour it into the crockpot.
- Add the chicken to the crockpot and sprinkle the salt and pepper on top. Mix in the yogurt, then pour in the tomato sauce and combine. Place the lid on the crockpot, put it on High, and set the timer for 3 hours.
- After 3 hours, stir the tikka masala to thicken it up and stir in the heavy whipping cream. Let the tikka masala heat through, then serve garnished with cilantro, if desired, with rice and naan.
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