This post may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase through links on our site, we may earn a commission.

Slow Cooker Chicken Tikka Masala Recipe is so easy in the slow cooker.  Serve this tender chicken and flavorful curry sauce over rice for an easy meal that your family will love.

Chicken Tikka Masala cooked in the slow cooker
Want to save this?
Just enter your email and I’ll send it right to you, plus great new recipes weekly!

Chicken Tikka Masala Crockpot Recipe sounds fancy but it is actually quite simple thanks to this slow cooker recipe. The chicken is so amazingly tender that it falls apart and the sauce is even richer from being slow cooked all day.

We love chicken but needed a new way to serve it. This tikka masala Indian Food recipe was amazing and perfect for jazzing up plain chicken. If you love this recipe, then you will love Slow Cooker Creamy Sun Dried Tomato Chicken Recipe and Crock Pot Marry Me Chicken Recipe.

What is Chicken Tikka Masala?

You don’t have to go to Indian restaurants to enjoy this dish. Crock Pot Tikka Masala cook your chicken in a tomato based sauce for a delicious meal idea.

Make this easy slow cooker chicken tikka masala dish and enjoy Indian food at home.

Ingredients - chicken thighs, garam marsala, cumin, turmeric, paprika, salt and pepper, onion, garlic, ginger, tomato sauce, heavy cream, rice, cilantro

Ingredients:

  • Boneless Skinless Chicken Thighs
  • Garam Marsala
  • Cumin (check out Best Substitute for Cumin)
  • Turmeric
  • Paprika
  • Salt and Black Pepper
  • Yellow Onion
  • Minced Garlic
  • Fresh Ginger
  • Tomato Sauce or Tomato Puree
  • Heavy Cream
  • Cooked Rice
  • Fresh Cilantro

Scroll to the bottom for the full list of ingredients and recipe in the recipe card.

Variations:

  • Coconut Cream – If you prefer a dairy free option, you can use coconut cream instead of heavy cream.
  • Change Chicken – You can make this recipe with boneless skinless chicken breasts if you prefer.
  • Sauce Seasoning – Feel free to change the flavors of the sauce by adding in different types of seasoning. Substitute the minced garlic for cloves garlic. We have even added in a teaspoon of cayenne pepper for a kick to the sauce.
  • Marinade – If you prefer, you can also marinade the chicken in a yogurt based marinade. We recommend using a full fat greek yogurt for best results.

Step by Step Instructions:

Placing chicken thighs in the slow cooker

Step 1 – Place the chicken in the crock pot.

Sprinkling the seasoning over the chicken thighs in the slow cooker

Step 2 – Combine the seasoning in a bowl. Then sprinkle the mixture over the top of the chicken thighs. Make sure to thoroughly coat them.

Top chicken with seasoning and diced onions

Step 3 – Top chicken and seasoning with diced onions.

Combining the sauce with the seasoning in a bowl

Step 4 – Combine the tomato sauce, garlic, and ginger in a small bowl.

Topping the chicken with sauce and onions in the slow cooker

Step 5 – Pour sauce over the top of the chicken.

Cooking chicken and sauce in the slow cooker

Step 6 – Cover and Cook on high for 3 hours or cook on low for 6 hours.

shredding chicken in the tomato sauce

Step 7 – When done, the chicken should be fall-apart tender. Break apart the chicken into big chunks in the creamy sauce.

Pouring heavy cream in the tomato sauce with the chicken

Step 8 – Turn the slow cooker off and add in the heavy cream. Stir gently to combine the cream with the sauce. Serve over rice and topped fresh cilantro.

Recipe Tips:

  • Seasoning – Combine the seasoning in a bowl prior to adding to the slow cooker. Make sure the seasoning covers the chicken for the best flavor.
  • Diced Onions – This recipe is delicious with the addition of the onions. You can even sauté them in a skillet before adding to the slow cooker.
  • Shredding Chicken – With all the sauce ingredients, the chicken will be fork tender. Shred the chicken with two forks or you can shred with a mixer.
  • Heavy Cream – Wait to add the heavy whipping cream after cooking the chicken in sauce. Stir the cream in after turning over the slow cooker and then serve. It make a delicious creamy base sauce.
  • Thicker Sauce – If the sauce is to thin, you can make a cornstarch slurry to help thicken the sauce. Make with 2 tablespoons of water and 2 tablespoons of cornstarch.
Chicken Tikka Masala on a plate over white rice

Can you Put Coconut Milk in Crockpot?

Now this recipe calls for heavy cream instead of full fat coconut milk. However, both are fine to put in the crock pot.

The trick is waiting until everything has cooked. You just want to turn off the crock pot before adding the cream.

What to Serve with Chicken Tikka Masala?

This chicken tikka masala recipe is traditionally served with white rice or basmati rice. We have even made naan bread for a great way to get the very last drop.

To complete the meal adding a side of air fryer broccoli is always a great idea.

Chicken Tikka Masala on a plate over white rice

Frequently Asked Questions:

How to Store Leftovers:

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge. They leftovers will last about 3 days. We think they are even better the next days as the sauce and seasoning really marinate into the chicken.

Can I Freeze?

Yes, you can also freeze this masala chicken. Place the leftovers in a freezer safe container and freeze for up to 3 months. When ready to serve, thaw in the fridge overnight.

More Crock Pot Chicken Recipes

We love hearing from you. If you make this Crockpot Chicken Tikka Masala Recipe, please leave a comment or a star review.

Slow Cooker Chicken Tikka Masala Recipe

5 from 5 votes
Crock pot Chicken Tikka Masala Recipe is so easy to make  Serve this tender chicken and flavorful curry sauce over rice for a meal your family will love.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 6 hours
Total Time 6 hours 15 minutes
Servings 6
Cuisine Indian
Course Main Course
Calories 393

Ingredients

Want to save this?
Just enter your email and I’ll send it right to you, plus great new recipes weekly.

Instructions

  • Place the chicken in the crock pot.
  • Season with the garam masala, cumin, turmeric, paprika, salt, and pepper. Sprinkle the spice mix over both sides of the chicken thighs, coating them liberally.
  • Place the onion on top.
  • In a small bowl combine the tomato sauce, garlic, and ginger.
  • Pour on top.
  • place the lid on top, and turn the slow cooker on. Cook on high for 3 hours or low for 6 hours.
  • When done, the chicken should be fall-apart tender.Break apart the chicken into big chunks.
  • Turn the slow cooker off, then add the heavy cream. Stir gently to combine the cream with the tomato sauce. Taste the sauce and add salt if needed.
  • To serve, spoon the chicken and tomato sauce over cooked rice and top with fresh cilantro.

Nutrition Facts

Calories 393kcal, Carbohydrates 36g, Protein 34g, Fat 12g, Saturated Fat 5g, Cholesterol 162mg, Sodium 901mg, Potassium 665mg, Fiber 2g, Sugar 4g, Vitamin A 620IU, Vitamin C 6mg, Calcium 44mg, Iron 2mg

Pin This Now to Remember It Later

Pin Recipe

Try these other recipes

Share this recipe!

PinYummly

About the Author

Hi, I’m Carrie. Welcome to Eating on a Dime!

I’m on a mission to help you cook delicious meals without busting your budget. Together we are going to cook real food… for real families!

5 from 5 votes (4 ratings without comment)

Leave A Review

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




Comments

  1. Carrie Barnard says:

    Yes you can. I think that would be great.

  2. Laura says:

    Could you use boneless chicken breasts instead of boneless chicken thighs?

  3. Patty says:

    Is this supposed to be sort of like a soup? It appears that it is in one of the pics. Just wondering how liquid-y it’s supposed to be in the end.

  4. Joyce Chang says:

    I love ordering and eating Indian food out at restaurants! But, to be able to make it yourself anytime you want in a slow cooker, that is ** chef’s kiss ** šŸ˜€

  5. Rachael says:

    5 stars
    This was very good. I, unfortunately, forgot to add the heavy cream, so I can only imagine how good it is with it. Will make again!