It’s slowly starting to turn to into the new season here and I’m excited about all the things coming our way, like the food!! For me, a bowl of some chicken tikka masala with rice or naan is just the ticket to the perfect comfort food! And what makes this a little easier is that it all goes into the crockpot!! HALLELUJAH!
If you landed here hoping to find a healthy dish today, I’m going to disappoint you for sure. 
This recipe does call for heavy cream, and because I don’t make this too often, I definitely go the heavy cream route and don’t look for a substitute. 
The rich gravy in this dish is what makes this curry absolutely divine. You’ll be looking to mop up the sauce with anything you can find! The chicken is so tender and juicy, that you basically won’t want to stop eating it! So without further ado, let’s get started!
[ctt template=”4″ link=”29_4g” via=”no” ]Share how to make this Crockpot Chicken Tikka Masala![/ctt]
Ingredients
- 3 lbs of boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into bite sized cubes
- 5-6 cloves of garlic, grated
- 3 inch piece of ginger, grated
- 3 tbsp of EVOO, divided
- 1 large red onion, diced
- 1.5 tbsp of coriander powder
- 1 tbsp of red chili powder
- 1 tbsp of garlic powder
- 1.5 tbsp of cumin powder
- 3.5 – 4 tbsp of garam masala
- 2 tbsp of salt and also more salt to taste
- 1 cup of plain yogurt (greek is fine if that’s all you eat)
- 1 tsp of red pepper flakes (add more if you want it spicier! I added only this much so the kids could eat it)
- 1 tbsp of sugar
- 1 tbsp of kasuri methi powder (found at an indian store…if you can’t find this, it’s ok and you can skip it)
- 2 (28oz) cans of crushed tomatoes (make sure they are plain and not with italian seasoning or anything)
- 1 1/2 cups of heavy cream
- A handful of cilantro, coarsely chopped
Directions
- In a big bowl, combine cubed chicken, yogurt, coriander powder, cumin powder, garlic powder, red chili powder, the 2 tbsp of salt, and 1 tbsp of EVOO. Mix it together really well and make sure all pieces of chicken are coated. Let marinate at least for 3-4 hours, if not overnight!
- In a non-stick skillet, heat 1 tbsp of EVOO on medium to high heat. Add in some of the chicken and saute until it is browned on both sides. Transfer to the crock pot. Do this in batches to ensure that the chicken is cooking evenly.
- In the same skillet, heat the remaining 1 tbsp of EVOO. Add in the cumin seeds, the onions, the cinnamon stick, the grated ginger and garlic, and red pepper flakes if using. Saute the onions until a little browned and you can smell the wonderful aroma. About 8-10 minutes at the very least. You want to see some of the onions getting a little browned.
- Add the garam masala and stir it into the onion mixture really well. Dump the sugar and two cans of crushed tomatoes into the skillet and bring it back to a boil. Pour this mixture over the chicken in the crockpot.
- Cook on high for 3 hours. Once it’s done, add in the heavy cream and stir it in. Let it simmer for another 10-15 minutes. Right before you transfer to the serving dish, stir in the kasuri methi if you’re using!
- Sprinkle the cilantro on top for garnish and serve with rice, roti (tortillas) or naan! Have extra because this sauce is finger lickin’ good you guys!
Crockpot Chicken Tikka Masala
2018-09-10 15:59:13
Serves 3
Prep Time
30 min
Cook Time
3 hr
Ingredients
- * 3 lbs of boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into bite sized cubes
- * 5-6 cloves of garlic, grated
- * 3 inch piece of ginger, grated
- * 3 tbsp of EVOO, divided
- * 1 large red onion, diced
- * 1.5 tbsp of coriander powder
- * 1 tbsp of red chili powder
- * 1 tbsp of garlic powder
- * 1.5 tbsp of cumin powder
- * 3.5 - 4 tbsp of garam masala
- * 2 tbsp of salt and also more salt to taste
- * 1 cup of plain yogurt (greek is fine if that's all you eat)
- * 1 tsp of red pepper flakes (add more if you want it spicier! I added only this much so the kids could eat it)
- * 1 tbsp of sugar
- * 1 tbsp of kasuri methi powder (found at an indian store...if you can't find this, it's ok and you can skip it)
- * 2 (28oz) cans of crushed tomatoes (make sure they are plain and not with italian seasoning or anything)
- * 1 1/2 cups of heavy cream
- * A handful of cilantro, coarsely chopped
Instructions
- 1. In a big bowl, combine cubed chicken, yogurt, coriander powder, cumin powder, garlic powder, red chili powder, the 2 tbsp of salt, and 1 tbsp of EVOO. Mix it together really well and make sure all pieces of chicken are coated. Let marinate at least for 3-4 hours, if not overnight!
- 2. In a non-stick skillet, heat 1 tbsp of EVOO on medium to high heat. Add in some of the chicken and saute until it is browned on both sides. Transfer to the crock pot. Do this in batches to ensure that the chicken is cooking evenly.
- 3. In the same skillet, heat the remaining 1 tbsp of EVOO. Add in the cumin seeds, the onions, the cinnamon stick, the grated ginger and garlic, and red pepper flakes if using. Saute the onions until a little browned and you can smell the wonderful aroma. About 8-10 minutes at the very least. You want to see some of the onions getting a little browned.
- 4. Add the garam masala and stir it into the onion mixture really well. Dump the sugar and two cans of crushed tomatoes into the skillet and bring it back to a boil. Pour this mixture over the chicken in the crockpot.
- 5. Cook on high for 3 hours. Once it's done, add in the heavy cream and stir it in. Let it simmer for another 10-15 minutes. Right before you transfer to the serving dish, stir in the kasuri methi if you're using!
- 6. Sprinkle the cilantro on top for garnish and serve with rice, roti (tortillas) or naan! Have extra because this sauce is finger lickin' good you guys!
Alfa Sengupta https://www.alfasengupta.com/
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The Comments
Ayana Nell
I am SO saving this! I’ve been craving Indian food for so long and can’t get enough!! I didn’t eat much ‘traditional’ curry growing up (My grandma made ‘british curry’ that wasn’t spicy) and I can’t believe I’ve been missing out for so long!
Carmen Edwards
This looks absolutely delicious. I can’t wait to try.
Joanna
I have tried making curry in the slow cooker before and it didn’t turn out great, it was way too watery. I do love curry though but I usually make it in the pan. 🙂
Alfa
→ JoannaThat’s definitely happened to me too!! This is different because of the crushed tomatoes and the whipping cream!! It’s such a good, creamy, thick sauce!
Preet
Wow! I would love to try making this recipe! My husband would absolutely love these. This is my kind of weekend treat.
Jasmine Hewitt
i love that this can be made in a crockpot! sound like perfect winter time food to make everything warm and toasty!
Puja
I love this version of chicken tikka masala. Will try it out
Evelyn Hernandez
We love chicken tikka masala. What a great idea to cook it in the crockpot!
Joanna
This looks so amazing. You should submit this to a cooking magazine!
Christina
This looks AMAZING! My husband is part Indian and my in-laws cook the best, most amazing food! We are going to try this delicious recipe for sure – and the crockpot makes it so easy!
Lisa
This looks so delicious! I’ll definitely try this one at home, though I don’t have a crockpost, but it seems easy to follow!
Catherine
You have given me a new reason to use my crockpot! This looks so comforting and delicious. I must make this for my family…perfect fall meal.
Tonya Morris
I can almost smell this recipe it looks so good! I need to start using my crock pot more and I will start with this recipe!
laura
This looks so good and yummy! x
Laura
https://pinkfrenzymissl.blogspot.com/
Becca Talbot
Wow, this looks amazing!! If the Internet had smellovision I’m sure I’d be seriously hungry smelling the amazing smells when making this! X
Amber HK
Yum!! I’m going to adjust times a bit and see how this does in the instant pot. Do you have a favorite garam masala brand? I don’t care for the one I have.
Alfa
→ Amber HKOooh!! Let me know how it turns out in the Insta Pot!! And I don’t have a specific brand that I can recommend from the regular grocery store…I get mine from the indian store. =/ Which one do you use?
Kiwi
I used to love chicken tikka masala! I am pescatarian now so I can still enjoy the taste but substitute the chicken for chickpeas or lentils.
Alfa
→ KiwiTry tofu or paneer (indian tofu)!! It’s absolutely delicious in this!
Angela Fry
This looks amazing. My husband would love it!