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Creamy Slow Cooker Chicken Tikka Masala

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A rich and indulgent slow cooker chicken tikka masala with coconut cream that is easy to prepare and perfect for busy weeknights. The sauce is creamy and mildly spiced with tender chicken thighs.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 1 large yellow onion, finely chopped
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon fresh grated ginger
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 1 (14 oz) can crushed tomatoes
  • 2 teaspoons garam masala
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1 teaspoon turmeric
  • 1/2 teaspoon chili powder (adjust to taste)
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • 1 cup coconut cream
  • 1/2 cup plain full-fat Greek yogurt (optional)
  • A handful fresh cilantro, chopped
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • 2 tablespoons vegetable or canola oil

Instructions

  1. Cut the chicken thighs into bite-sized pieces. Finely chop the onion, mince the garlic, and grate the ginger.
  2. Heat the oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and cook until translucent and slightly golden, about 5 minutes. Stir in the garlic and ginger, cooking for another 2 minutes until fragrant.
  3. Stir in the garam masala, cumin, smoked paprika, turmeric, chili powder, and tomato paste. Cook for another 2-3 minutes, stirring frequently. Add a splash of water if the mixture is too dry.
  4. Transfer the sautéed mixture to the slow cooker. Add the chicken pieces and canned crushed tomatoes. Stir to combine evenly. Season with salt and pepper. Cover and set the slow cooker to low.
  5. Cook on low heat for 4-5 hours until the chicken is tender and flavors meld.
  6. About 20 minutes before serving, stir in the coconut cream and Greek yogurt (if using). Stir gently to combine but do not boil after adding yogurt.
  7. Right before serving, squeeze in fresh lemon juice and sprinkle chopped cilantro on top. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.

Notes

Sautéing the aromatics before slow cooking enhances flavor and avoids raw onion taste. Use chicken thighs for juiciness. Add yogurt gently at the end to prevent curdling. Adjust chili powder to taste. Coconut cream is preferred over coconut milk for richness. Leftovers taste better the next day. Freeze portions before adding cream and yogurt.

Nutrition

Keywords: slow cooker chicken tikka masala, creamy chicken curry, coconut cream chicken, easy Indian dinner, slow cooker recipes, chicken tikka masala

Find it online: https://freshforkful.com/creamy-slow-cooker-chicken-tikka-masala-recipe-perfect-for-easy-dinner/