Slow Cooker Chicken Tikka Masala

This creamy slow cooker Chicken Tikka Masala recipe is my new favorite dinner. It’s easy, delicious, and even my picky eaters love it! 

Do you like Indian food? I LOVE IT and crave it often. A few years ago I found out that my favorite dish, Chicken Tikka Masala could easily be made at home in the slow cooker. That blew my mind because I guess I assumed that something so rich and tasty would not be simple.

Amazingly it actually is VERY easy. Once you get all of the spices and chicken into the slow cooker (there are many spices that go into it) you pretty much just let it simmer in there all day!

If you are into easy crock-pot dinners check out some of our favorites like our Healthy Buffalo Chicken Bowls, our Crockpot Chicken Tacos our Healthy Greek Chicken Bowls or browse all of our chicken recipes HERE!

Slow Cooker Chicken Tikka Masala

I’ve tried a lot of recipes for making Chicken Tikka Masala in a crockpot and I have to say that while they have all been good, many of them aren’t creamy enough, and are too tomato-y. This recipe has a taste and texture just like what they serve at my favorite Indian restaurant, and I declare it a winner of a recipe.

Chicken Tikka Masala Recipe

You ready for the beyond easy step by steps?!

Top Left – Add onion, garlic, tomato puree, yogurt, olive oil, tikka paste, cumin, paprika, salt, cinnamon, pepper and cayenne to slow cooker and mix well. 

Top Right – Add chicken thighs and toss to coat.

Bottom Left – Add bay leaves. Cover and cook for 6 hours on low or 3 hours on high. 

Bottom Right – During the last 20 minutes, stir in half and half. Cover and finish cooking. 

How to Make Chicken Tikka Masala

I like to serve Chicken Tikka Masala with basmati rice if I have it, but sometimes I use regular white rice – whatever is on hand. I also buy Naan at the grocery store rather than make it. However you serve this, it will be one of your go-to Indian chicken recipes after you try it. It’s SO good.

Real quick before we get to the recipe let’s answer a few frequently asked questions. 

*This post contains affiliate links. 

Instant Pot Chicken Tikka Masala

Does this recipe work in the instant pot?! Yes! It totally does. All you do is add everything besides half and half and cook on manual/meat for 20 minutes. Allow pressure to release, open, add half and half and shred chicken. Serve over rice. 

Here is our favorite instant pot! 

What if I can’t find Tikka Paste?

If you don’t have tikka paste, you can substitute 2 Tbsp Garam Masala for 2 Tbsp Tikka paste. I’ve tried it both ways and both give off delicious flavor!

How spicy is this recipe? 

Not very spicy. However, if you have picky eaters or like less spice or more mild flavors generally, reduce Tikka Paste to one tablespoon and then add more as desired. 

What do I serve with Tikka Masala? 

We typically serve our Tikka Masala with rice, naan bread, and edamame! 

If you make this recipe and love it we’d love for you to leave a positive comment and review, they mean so much to us. 

Slow Cooker Chicken Tikka Masala

This creamy slow cooker Chicken Tikka Masala recipe is my new favorite dinner. It's easy, delicious, and even my picky eaters love it! 

5 from 6 votes

Print Pin Rate

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Time in Slow Cooker: 3 hours

Total Time: 3 hours 10 minutes

Servings: 10

Calories: 368kcal

Author: Pretty Providence

Ingredients

• 3 lbs boneless chicken thighs
• 1 small onion finely chopped
• 4 cloves minced garlic
• 1 can tomato puree 29 oz
• 1 cup plain greek yogurt
• 1 Tbsp olive oil
• 2 Tbsp tikka paste
• 1 Tbsp cumin
• 2 tsp salt
• 3/4 tsp cinnamon
• 1 tsp cayenne pepper give or take some depending on how spicy you like your food!
• 2 bay leaves
• 1 cup half and half

Serve With

• basmati rice
• cilantro for garnish

Instructions

• Add onion, garlic, tomato puree, yogurt, olive oil, tikka paste, cumin, paprika, salt, cinnamon, pepper and cayenne to slow cooker and mix well. 
• Add chicken thighs and toss to coat.
• Add bay leaves.
• Cover and cook for 6 hours on low or 3 hours on high. 
• During the last 20 minutes, stir in half and half. Cover and finish cooking. 
• Serve over cooked basmati rice, or white rice, and garnish with cilantro! 

Notes

• If you love slow cooker meals but hate cleaning up try using a slow cooker liner! 
• If you don't have tikka paste, you can substitute 2 Tbsp Garam Masala for 2 Tbsp Tikka paste. I've tried it both ways and both give off delicious flavor!

Nutrition

Calories: 368kcal | Carbohydrates: 5g | Protein: 25g | Fat: 27g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Cholesterol: 143mg | Sodium: 593mg | Potassium: 443mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 360IU | Vitamin C: 3.1mg | Calcium: 73mg | Iron: 1.6mg

Did you make this recipe?Mention @prettyprovidenceblog or tag #prettyprovidence!

Doesn’t get easier than that! 

I hope you love it as much as we do! 

This post was originally published July 18th, 2018 and has been updated with new photos and more detailed information.