Warm, rich, and full of gentle spice, this Crock Pot Butter Chicken makes an easy, comforting dinner that feels special without the extra work. It’s the kind of recipe that fills your kitchen with incredible aroma while you go about your day. Serve it over rice for a meal that’s both hearty and simple to make any night of the week.

Slow cooking brings out deep flavor as tender chicken simmers in a sauce of tomato and warm curry spices. The garam masala, cumin, and curry powder blend perfectly with butter and cream for that familiar restaurant-style taste you can make at home. It’s proof that a few pantry spices and a little patience can make something unforgettable.

Overhead view of butter chicken and rice with naan bread on an orange-striped towel.

Not An Authentic Recipe

This version isn’t traditional butter chicken, but it captures the same cozy, rich flavor with far less effort. It skips complicated steps and long ingredient lists. Everything goes right into the crockpot, no searing, no cooking down onions for an hour, and nothing hard or time-consuming. Just stir, set the timer, and let your slow cooker handle the rest. Dinner is ready when you are.

What You Need To Make This Butter Chicken

Be sure to add all the ingredients to your shopping list so you’re ready to make dinner this week. Make sure you have hot cooked rice and some naan or other flatbreads to help soak up the sauce.

boneless skinless chicken breast
small yellow onion, chopped
tomato sauce
garlic, minced
ginger paste
cumin
garam masala
turmeric
curry powder
salt
tomato paste
butter
heavy whipping cream
hot cooked rice
naan

You can make your own naan if you like. I make this recipe for Paul Hollywood’s naan, and we love it. You can also make roti or pita bread, it works just as well. Whatever flatbread you make or buy will work, as long as you have something to soak up all that luscious sauce.

Cooked butter chicken in sauce with a wooden spoon in the slow cooker.

Storing Leftovers

Leftover butter chicken keeps beautifully. Let it cool, then store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to four days. It reheats well in the microwave or on the stovetop over low heat with a splash of cream or water to loosen the sauce.

Butter chicken actually tastes better the next day. The sauce thickens slightly, and the spices mellow into a richer, warmer taste that soaks perfectly into rice or naan. Make it on the weekend and enjoy it later in the week for easy weeknight dinners.

Overhead view of butter chicken and rice with naan and cilantro.

Butter chicken and rice on a plate beside naan bread and a slow cooker.

Crock Pot Butter Chicken

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Prep Time: 15

Cook Time: 6

Total Time: 6 15

Servings: Servings

Calories: 308kcal

Let your slow cooker do the work while this creamy, spiced butter chicken fills your kitchen with the best kind of comfort.

Print Recipe

Ingredients

2 lb boneless skinless chicken breast
1 small yellow onion chopped
1 (15-ounce) can tomato sauce
2 cloves garlic minced
1 ½ tbsp ginger paste
1 tsp cumin
1 tbsp garam masala
1 tsp turmeric
1 tsp curry powder
1 tsp salt
1 tbsp tomato paste
3 tbsp butter sliced
½ cup heavy whipping cream

Instructions

Add tomato sauce, garlic, ginger paste, cumin, garam masala, turmeric, curry powder, salt, and tomato paste to your crockpot and whisk to combine
Add chicken and onions, turning the chicken to coat in the sauce
Place sliced butter over the top
Cook on low for 4–6 hours or high for 3–5 hours until the chicken is tender
Remove chicken and chop into large chunks
Stir heavy whipping cream into the sauce, then return chicken to the crockpot and mix well
Serve warm over rice

Notes

Cook time listed reflects the maximum duration (6 hours). You can also cook on high for 3–5 hours if you’re short on time — the chicken will still be tender and flavorful.