Looking for an easy slow cooker butter chicken recipe? This crockpot butter chicken is naturally gluten-free, kid-friendly, and truly fuss-free – no sautéing required. Just dump everything in, let it cook, and finish with cream and butter for a rich, mild curry that even picky eaters love.

Ingredients To Make Slow Cooker Butter Chicken

2 lb (900g) boneless skinless chicken breasts or thigh, cut into large bite-size pieces
1 tbsp fresh ginger, minced
1 tbsp fresh garlic, minced
1 can (14 oz / 400g) passata / tomato purée (avoid diced tomatoes – too chunky unless blended first)
2 tbsp tomato paste
¾ cup heavy cream (or gluten-free coconut cream for dairy-free)
2 tbsp unsalted butter, plus 1 tbsp for finishing (or dairy-free butter alternative)
1 tbsp garam masala
1 tsp ground cumin
1 tsp smoked paprika
1 tsp turmeric
¼ to 1 tsp chili powder (optional – omit altogether for sensitive eaters)
1 tsp sugar (balances the acidity)
Salt and pepper, to taste
Fresh cilantro (coriander leaves), to garnish

Ingredients to make Butter Chicken Slow Cooker

What You’ll Need

A 6-quart (or similar) slow cooker / crockpot
Cutting board and knife
Mixing spoon

How to make Butter Chicken in a Slow Cooker/Crockpot

Place the chicken, ginger, garlic, garam masala, cumin, smoked paprika, turmeric, chili (if using), sugar, salt, and pepper into the slow cooker.

Add the passata and tomato paste, then stir well to coat the chicken. Add 2 tbsp butter on top.

Cover and cook on low for 3–4 hours if using chicken breast, 6–7 hours if using chicken thighs – until chicken is tender.

Cover and cook on low until chicken is tender.

Stir in the cream and the final tablespoon of butter. Cook another 10 minutes on low until the sauce is silky.

Stir in the cream and the final tablespoon of butter.

Serve: Garnish with fresh cilantro and serve with rice or gluten-free naan.

Find the measurements and full recipe below!

Jump to Recipe

Butter Chicken Serving Suggestions

Classic pairing: Steamed basmati rice.
Gluten-free sides: Warm gluten-free naan or flatbread.
Lighten it up: Serve with cauliflower rice or a side salad.
Kid-friendly extras: A dollop of yogurt, sour cream or cucumber raita helps cool it down if little mouths find it too spiced.
Veggie balance: Add a side of steamed broccoli, peas, or roasted carrots.

Healthier Butter Chicken

Butter chicken often gets a reputation for being heavy, but this version can easily be made lighter. Using chicken breast instead of thighs keeps it lean, and you can adjust how much cream and butter you stir in at the end.

For an even lighter option, swap half the cream for Greek yogurt or serve it with cauliflower rice instead of regular rice. Add plenty of vegetables like cauliflower, carrots, or spinach for a nutrient boost and a more balanced family meal.

Dairy-Free Butter Chicken Version

If your family avoids dairy, you can still enjoy this butter chicken. Simply swap the heavy cream for full-fat coconut cream and use a dairy-free butter substitute (like Nuttelex or Earth Balance).

The coconut cream keeps the sauce rich and silky, with a very subtle sweetness that pairs beautifully with the spices. Kids often can’t tell the difference! Just remember to add the dairy-free cream right at the end, the same way you would with regular cream.

Veggie Add-Ins For Slow Cooker Butter Chicken

Want to make it a complete one-pot dinner? Try adding some vegetables:

Carrots: Add at the start – they need the whole cooking time to soften.
Cauliflower florets: Add during the last 1 – 1.5 hours.
Bell peppers (capsicum): Add during the last 1 hour so they don’t go mushy.
Green beans: Add in the last 30 – 45 minutes for crisp-tender texture.
Spinach: Stir in during the final 5 minutes until just wilted.
Frozen peas: Add during the last 10 minutes for a pop of sweetness.

Pro tip: Pureed carrot or cauliflower stirred into the sauce base is a sneaky way to boost veggies without kids noticing.

How To Store and Freeze Butter Chicken

Fridge: Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
Freezer: Freeze portions for up to 2 months. Defrost overnight in the fridge and reheat gently.

Butter Chicken Freezer Dump Bag Option

This recipe works really well as a freezer prep meal:

Place raw chicken, ginger, garlic, passata, tomato paste, spices in a freezer-safe bag.
Flatten, seal, write on your bag, and freeze for up to 3 months.
Thaw overnight in the fridge, then cook as directed in the slow cooker.
Add the cream and butter at the end – never freeze these with the raw mix.

Butter Chicken Tips & Tricks

Breast vs Thighs: Chicken breast keeps the dish leaner, but thighs are more forgiving if you want to/need to cook it longer.
Butter in twice: Adding butter at the start deepens flavour, then stirring in an extra spoon at the end gives the sauce that glossy finish.
Bright orange colour: Using passata/purée instead of diced tomatoes keeps the sauce smooth and vibrant. Then the cream at the end lightens the colour beautifully.
Sweetness matters: That little teaspoon of sugar balances the tomatoes acidity nicely.

Butter Chicken Frequently Asked Questions

Can you do butter chicken in a slow cooker?
Well, yes! Butter chicken works really well in the slow cooker/crockpot because the gentle heat lets the spices develop and the chicken turn tender. Just remember to stir in cream and extra butter at the end so the sauce stays silky.

What are common mistakes when making butter chicken?

Using diced tomatoes instead of passata (sauce can end up too chunky and sour).
Adding cream too early (it can curdle after long cooking).
Overcooking chicken breast (it dries out in the crockpot).
Skipping the sugar or sweetener (a little balances the acidity of tomatoes).
Too salty? Make sure you are using unsalted butter and don’t add any extra salt.

Is this a butter chicken recipe for the crockpot?
Yes, this recipe was designed for the crockpot/slow cooker. Just dump, cook, and finish with cream and butter for a silky, restaurant-style curry.

Is it okay to put raw chicken in a slow cooker?
Yes, raw chicken is safe to put in the crockpot – it will cook through completely as long as you follow the recipe timing. For the best texture with chicken breast, check doneness after 3 hours on low.

What is the secret to tender butter chicken?
Using the right cut of chicken and not overcooking it. Thighs are naturally juicier and more forgiving. If you prefer breast, cut larger pieces and keep the cooking time on the shorter side. Stirring in butter and cream at the end also helps the sauce coat the chicken tenderly.

How to thicken up butter chicken in a slow cooker?
If your sauce is too thin, you can:

Stir in a slurry of 1 tsp gluten-free cornstarch mixed with 2 tsp water before adding the cream.
Cook uncovered for the last 20–30 minutes to let it reduce.
Add an extra spoon of tomato paste for body.

Why is butter chicken so unhealthy?
Butter chicken has a reputation for being indulgent because of the butter and cream. But when made at home, you control how much dairy goes in – and you can lighten it up by using less cream, swapping in coconut milk, or serving with plenty of veggies. Using lean chicken breast instead of thighs also reduces the fat content.

Is butter chicken gluten-free?
Traditionally, yes – as long as you use gluten-free spice blends and check cream and spice labels. This recipe is 100% gluten-free and family-friendly.

Can you freeze butter chicken?
Absolutely. Freeze in airtight containers for up to 2 months. Defrost overnight in the fridge and reheat gently.

More Gluten-Free Chicken Recipes You’ll Love:

Slow Cooker Butter Chicken