Slow Cooker Chicken Tikka Masala - The Recipe Critic (2024)

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Slow cooker chicken tikka masala is an easy sweet and spicysauce thatis thick, rich, and creamy. It is 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 so many reasons, but my favorite reason is how easy they make making a full meal. You can throw everything in the crock pot and have a delicious and flavorful meal in a few hours. If you love slow cooker recipes, you should try these Slow Cooker Beef Tips, this delicious Slow Cooker Jambalaya, and this quick and easy Slow Cooker Lasagna.

Slow Cooker Chicken Tikka Masala - The Recipe Critic (1)

Chicken Tikka Masala Slow Cooker

The hubby and I went to an amazing Indian restaurant last year. I always get the butter chicken and I realized I had never tried anything else! I ordered the chicken tikka masala and I was blown away! The spices were incredible. I was so glad to try something new and 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 stove to blend together. The slow cooker is the perfect solution for being short on time! I love all of my slow cooker recipes on my blog, but this one just might be my favorite! I love serving this with coconut rice, or instant pot rice when I need to be totally hands-off.

Ingredients

Don’t let this ingredient list scare you away! It is mostly spices and things that you will already have on hand. This slow cooker chicken tikka masala is simple to put together and throw in the crock pot. The slow cooker is going to do it all for you. Simply add in 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: The chicken does not need to be cooked prior to adding in the slow cooker, it is that simple!
  • Onion: Even if you are not an onion fan like myself, this is actually a small and subtle hint of flavor in this chicken tikka masala recipe.
  • Garlic: Always a favorite in my book!
  • Ginger: Fresh and grated. Using a grater with the smallest grated holes is best.
  • Tomato Puree:This is the base and does turn the sauce to a orange/red color.
  • Plain Greek Yogurt: I am a huge fan on using yogurt when possible. It is rich, thick and creamy with an 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: Finely coats the chicken and helps to thicken the sauce.
  • Cilantro: Chopped and used for a garnish.

Seasonings

  • Garam Masala:This is a special seasoning with a blend of seasons within it. This seasoning will add warmth and sweetness to the sauce.
  • Cumin:This spice is perfect for using in a curry mixture.
  • Paprika: Adding a little bit of 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 soaking inthroughout the slow cooker process.Before serving, you will remove the bayleaves.
Slow Cooker Chicken Tikka Masala - The Recipe Critic (2)

Recipe for Chicken Tikka Masala Slow Cooker

This slow cooker chicken tikka masala is so simple to make and is effortless in so many ways. Simply mix together the tikka masala sauce, then add the chicken. It is basic and no extra prepping or cooking. Within hours you will be smelling a delicious dinner that will be hands down one of the BEST you make!

  1. Mixtogether sauce:In your slow cooker combine onion, garlic, ginger, tomato puree, greek yogurt, olive oil, garam masala, cumin, paprika, salt, cinnamon, black pepper, and cayenne pepper.
  2. Add in chicken and cook:Add in the chicken pieces and then toss to coat in the sauce. Then add in the bay leaves. Cook on low for 6 hours or high for 4 hours.
  3. Mix and cook a little longer: During the last 20 minutes of cooking, whisk together cornstarch and heavy cream. Then add in to the sauce and continue to cook for another 20 minutes.
  4. Serve:Serve over rice.
Slow Cooker Chicken Tikka Masala - The Recipe Critic (3)

Tips for Making Chicken Tikka Masala

This slow cooker chicken tikka masala is so easy! There really isn’t anything to it. I just wanted to share some tips that I think will be helpful when you go to make this dish.

  • Finding the Spices: Garam masala should be in the spice section of your local grocery store. You will probably be able to find it in a powder or liquid form. I use powdered spices, but there are a lot of benefits to the liquid one too! You can use whatever you like best. If you can’t find garam masala, all-spice mixed with cumin is a great substitute! You will mix 1 part cumin with 1/4 part all-spice.
  • Serve with Naan: To get the full restaurant experience, you will definitely want to make some naan. It is a great bread to make at home, or you can get some premade naan at the store. Whatever you do, just make sure it’s on the table!
  • Make It Dairy Free: You can substitute coconut milk for 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.
Slow Cooker Chicken Tikka Masala - The Recipe Critic (4)

Storing Leftovers

I love this slow cooker chicken tikka masala recipe so much because it makes great leftovers! It is an easy recipe to make a big batch of and have leftovers throughout the week.

  • In the Refrigerator: You can store your leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
  • In the Freezer: You can freeze your leftovers for up to 3 months in a plastic bag or freezer safe airtight container.

Other Slow Cooker Recipes to Try

In my opinion, you can never have too many slow cooker recipes in your recipe book! They are great when you are in a rush and don’t have a lot of time in the evenings to make dinner. All of these recipes are tried and true, and I think your family will love them just as much as mine does!

Soup

Slow Cooker Cheeseburger Soup

6 hrs 25 mins

Dinner

Slow Cooker Cashew Chicken

4 hrs 15 mins

Dinner

Slow Cooker Beef and Broccoli

6 hrs 15 mins

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Slow Cooker Chicken Tikka Masala

By: Alyssa Rivers

Slow cooker chicken tikka masala is an easy sweet and spicysauce thatis thick, rich, and creamy. It is 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.

Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 6 hours hours

Total Time: 6 hours hours 15 minutes minutes

Servings: 4 people

Ingredients

Instructions

  • In your slow cooker combine onion, garlic, ginger, tomato puree, greek yogurt, olive oil, garam masala, cumin, paprika, salt, cinnamon, black pepper, and cayenne pepper.

  • Add in the chicken pieces and toss to coat in the sauce. Add in the bay leaves. Cook on low for 6 hours or high for 4 hours.

  • During the last 20 minutes of cooking, whisk together cornstarch and heavy cream. Add in to the sauce and continue to cook for another 20 minutes.

  • Serve over rice.

Notes

Updated Jan, 2023

Updated Post on February 5, 2020

Original Post on October 6, 2014

Nutrition

Calories: 484kcalCarbohydrates: 12gProtein: 34gFat: 33gSaturated Fat: 16gCholesterol: 158mgSodium: 1349mgPotassium: 689mgFiber: 3gSugar: 4gVitamin A: 1567IUVitamin C: 5mgCalcium: 155mgIron: 2mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Additional Info

Course: Dinner, Main Course

Cuisine: Indian

Tried this recipe?Mention @alyssa_therecipecritic or tag #therecipecritic!

About Alyssa Rivers

Welcome to my kitchen! I am Alyssa Rivers and the food blogger behind The Recipe Critic. The blog launched in 2012 as a place to share my passion for cooking. I love trying new things and testing them out with my family. Each recipe is tried and true, family-tested and approved.

Read More About Me

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Slow Cooker Chicken Tikka Masala - The Recipe Critic (2024)

FAQs

What makes tikka masala taste good? ›

Common spices used in the marinade and sauce include cumin, coriander, turmeric, garam masala, and chili powder. Overall, Chicken Tikka Masala is known for its harmonious blend of flavors, making it a popular and beloved dish in Indian cuisine.

What is the taste difference between tikka masala and butter chicken? ›

Taste. Butter Chicken has a milder and creamier taste, while Tikka Masala has a spicier, earthy, and tangier taste. Butter Chicken is a buttery and creamy tomato-based sauce. At the same time, Tikka Masala has a slightly sour and tangy tomato-based sauce.

How to make tikka masala more red? ›

Some Options:
  1. Food Colouring - Most Indian Restaurants will use this.
  2. Kashmiri Chilli Powder - Gives the red colour without Adding too much spiciness.
Apr 24, 2021

Why is my chicken tikka masala watery? ›

If too much liquid or broth is added to a curry, it will become runny and thin. It may also be thin if the cooking temperature is too low for it to cook, or if the cooking time is too short, thereby preventing the sauce from being reduced.

What are the disadvantages of chicken tikka masala? ›

**Saturated Fat and Cholesterol**: Creamy or heavily sauced chicken masala dishes may contain higher levels of saturated fats and cholesterol, which can negatively impact heart health if consumed in excess.

What is the main flavor in tikka masala? ›

Tikka Masala is a tomato and cream-based sauce that's smoky from the chargrilled chicken, rich and creamy, with a slight sweetness and tanginess with mild heat (although we like it hot!) punctuated by earthy spices, ginger and garlic.

What is better than chicken tikka masala? ›

Butter Chicken has a creamier texture than Tikka Masala. Both dishes are delicious in their own way, and choosing between them depends on your personal taste preference. If you want an exciting twist on your taste buds, try combining them for a unique culinary experience!

What does tikka masala mean in English? ›

Tikka refers to grilled or roasted pieces of meat that are either marinated in yogurt or spiced water before being cooked on skewers. Masala refers to a sauce made with cream, yogurt, or tomatoes; or a mixture of spices used to flavor food.

How healthy is tikka masala? ›

It's one of the most-ordered entrees at Indian joints. But like many Indian dishes that were originally low fat, the modern recipe for chicken tikka masala is anything but. An average portion has whopping 1,249 calories and 90.8 grams of fat. A lot of that comes from the ghee and heavy cream.

Why isn t my Tikka Masala orange? ›

Every recipe will have different variations depending on the variables. You could have the exact measurements, but slightly different ingredients and could have different outcome. The lighter colour could come from more cream being used.

How to add more Flavour to Tikka Masala? ›

As well as using fresh spices in the sauce, we've finished the dish with a sprinkling of garam masala and smoked salt to give a final flavour hit and further replicate the smoky effect of the tandoor overn.

What spice adds heat to Tikka Masala? ›

It's a mild chili but intensifies the colour and adds a wonderful flavour to the Masala sauce. If you can't find it, don't worry. Any ground red chili powder or Cayenne powder will do! You can adjust the amount to suit your heat preference, or leave it out all together for a non spicy Tikka.

What to add to a jar of tikka masala? ›

Add more spices: Store-bought curry sauces often lack the depth of flavour that homemade sauces have. To remedy this, you can add more spices like cumin, turmeric, coriander, and garam masala. Use fresh ginger and garlic: Fresh ginger and garlic add a lot of flavour to curries.

How do you keep curry from getting watery in a slow cooker? ›

okay, secondly, you can put a tea towel under the lid. that will capture some of the moisture, it stops it circulating in the slow cooker. and then thirdly, you can use a corn flour slurry, so into a bowl, a little bit of corn flour, cold water, mix it with your finger, pour it in, stir it.

Why does masala not stick to chicken? ›

The most common reasons breading doesn't stick is that: You didn't properly dry the meat. You didn't put a starch coating on the meat before dredging.

How to add more flavor to tikka masala? ›

Garnish with Fresh Coriander: Just before serving, sprinkle some freshly chopped coriander leaves over your Chicken Tikka Masala. This adds a burst of freshness and enhances the overall presentation of the dish. Add a Squeeze of Lemon: To brighten up the flavors, squeeze a little lemon juice over the finished dish.

What to add to shop bought tikka masala? ›

Add more spices: Store-bought curry sauces often lack the depth of flavour that homemade sauces have. To remedy this, you can add more spices like cumin, turmeric, coriander, and garam masala. Use fresh ginger and garlic: Fresh ginger and garlic add a lot of flavour to curries.

What makes tikka masala different? ›

The main difference between butter chicken and tandoori chicken tikka masala is the level of creaminess; butter chicken is much creamier, whereas chicken tikka masala relies on tomatoes and other spices, giving it its earthy and spicy flavor profile.

How do you spice up tikka masala? ›

Pro-Tip – How to make a hotter version of Chicken Tikka Masala. Add in 1-2 tsp of hot chilli powder with the spice ingredients when you're making the sauce. Alternatively, you can add in 1-2 fresh red chillies (finely chopped) when you add in the red bell peppers. Or you could do both if you like it really spicy!

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