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slow cooker chicken tikka masala
March 10, 2019

Slow Cooker Chicken Tikka Masala

Dairy Free Gluten Free Vegan Vegetarian Main Dishes Poultry Slow Cooker
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This slow cooker chicken tikka masala is delicious, healthy, and packed with flavor! Coconut milk makes it rich and creamy (without being too heavy), and the combination of warm spices is blissful.

Let your crockpot do the work for you with this easy dinner recipe. Vegetarian? No problem! Read on for a vegan option.

slow cooker chicken tikka masala recipe

Slow Cooker Tikka Masala with Chicken

I know many of you are huge slow cooker fans, so I thought another easy weeknight crockpot dinner recipe was in order. I mean, who doesn’t love tossing a bunch of ingredients into a pot, then coming back later to an amazing meal?! Low-effort, healthy meals like this are the best, especially for busy weekdays.

(Psst: here are a few of my other crockpot faves: Slow Cooker Moroccan Chicken Stew and Slow Cooker Stewed Lamb with Veggies.)

slow cooker chicken tikka masala in white bowls with naan bread

Matt and I enjoyed this for dinner last night, and not only is it incredibly delicious, it’s also crazy easy – the only thing you have to chop is the onion!

It’s easy to throw everything into the crockpot in the morning before work, or on the weekend when you have a few minutes to spare, and then when you get home it’s ready and waiting. Yum!

chicken tikka masala in a bowl with rice and spinach

Chicken Tikka Masala Ingredients

To make this slow cooker chicken tikka masala, you’ll need:

  • chicken (boneless, skinless breast and/or thighs)
  • diced tomatoes
  • onion
  • coconut milk
  • garlic
  • fresh ginger
  • tomato paste
  • spices: garam masala, turmeric, paprika, cumin, coriander

In terms of the protein, chicken thighs hold up well when cooked in the slow cooker (rather than getting stringy like breasts sometimes do). But if you already have chicken breasts on hand, that would definitely work instead!

slow cooker chicken tikka masala ingredients

Traditional Chicken Tikka Masala uses yogurt to add creaminess and richness, but this recipe features coconut milk instead to avoid curdling with the long cooking time.

To make this vegan, simply use 2 cans (drained/rinsed) of chickpeas in place of the chicken (and obviously omit the optional yogurt topping)! A can of chickpeas would also be a fun addition even if you leave the chicken in – I always love chickpeas in dishes like this.

One more tip: if you prefer a spicier stew, add a pinch or two of cayenne pepper to the mix! 🙂

How to Make Tikka Masala in the Crockpot

To make this recipe, simply dice up your onion and toss everything in the slow cooker (<—the one I have). Stir and set on low for 6 to 7 hours. Easy!

It will also work on high for 3 to 4 hours, if you’re making this later in the day.

Serve with the carb of your choice (I recommend 90 second brown rice and/or pita bread or naan) and microwave-wilted spinach. (Put a huge handful of spinach in an empty bowl, microwave 45 seconds). Optional toppings: plain yogurt and fresh cilantro – and of course hot sauce!

Enjoy! You’ll find the full slow cooker chicken tikka masala recipe at the bottom of this post.

Love easy meal ideas? Check out my 7 easiest dinner recipes post for more inspiration! And here are some more ideas:

  • Crockpot Turkey Chili
  • Sweet Potato and Lentil Curry
  • Instant Pot Chicken Tortilla Soup
  • Lemon Dijon Sheet Pan Salmon Dinner
  • Easy Minestrone Soup
  • Coconut Curry with Chicken
  • Mediterranean Sheet Pan Chicken Thighs
  • Thai Coconut Chicken Soup
  • Instant Pot Spaghetti Squash & Vegan Bolognese

What sort of other slow cooker meal ideas/recipes would you like to see? I’m happy to take requests!

Slow Cooker Chicken Tikka Masala

Slow Cooker Chicken Tikka Masala
July 24, 2019

Let your crockpot do the work for you with this easy dinner recipe for Slow Cooker Chicken Tikka Masala! Vegetarian? No problem! Read on for a vegan option.

Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 7 hours
Total Time 7 hours 5 minutes
Yield
SERVES 6
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Ingredients:

  • 1.5 lb boneless, skinless chicken thighs (optional - if omitted, add 2 cans of chickpeas, drained/rinsed)
  • 1 onion, chopped
  • 1 tablespoon grated ginger
  • 3 cloves grated garlic
  • 2 tablespoons garam masala
  • 2 teaspoons paprika
  • 2 teaspoons ground cumin
  • 2 teaspoons ground coriander
  • 1 teaspoon ground turmeric
  • pinch of cayenne pepper, optional
  • 1 15-oz can coconut milk
  • 1 28-oz can diced tomatoes
  • 1/4 cup tomato paste
  • Instant brown rice, cilantro, yogurt, and wilted spinach for serving (optional)

Instructions:

  1. Place all ingredients in a slow cooker and stir gently to incorporate. Cook on low for 6-7 hours, or high for 3-4 hours.
  2. Serve over brown rice and spinach, topped with cilantro and yogurt (if desired).

Did you make this recipe?

Please leave a comment on the blog or share a photo on Instagram

- anne
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28 comments
  • Carrie this fit chick
    March 10, 2017 · 9:52AM:
    This looks delicious, Anne! I haven't had a curry in years!
    Reply
    • Anne
      March 10, 2017 · 10:02AM:
      Give it a shot and let me know how you like it! :)
      Reply
  • Fiona @ Get Fit Fiona
    March 10, 2017 · 10:20AM:
    I love how easy this looks. Plus the leftovers look like they'd be easy to take to school with me the next day for a lunch.
    Reply
    • Anne
      March 10, 2017 · 11:11AM:
      Yes, this would make a great day after packed lunch!
      Reply
  • Emily @ Always Emily H.
    March 10, 2017 · 10:32AM:
    I can't wait to make this!
    Reply
  • Vicky Cristina
    March 10, 2017 · 10:45AM:
    the pic looks rather like an Indian dish, right? I love Indian food. My kids love chicken. So this dish sounds perfect for my family
    Reply
    • Anne
      March 10, 2017 · 11:12AM:
      Yes, definitely Indian-ish! Enjoy :)
      Reply
  • Juanita
    March 10, 2017 · 11:09AM:
    I am not good at cooking but I really want to taste the dish when I look at the pic. I will ask my mom to make this for me. Thanks!
    Reply
    • Anne
      March 10, 2017 · 11:12AM:
      It's easy, I promise. :)
      Reply
  • Izzy
    March 10, 2017 · 3:52PM:
    This looks so good - tikka masala is my favourite!
    Reply
  • Holly
    March 11, 2017 · 5:51AM:
    Holy crap I am making this ASAP! Most Tikka Masala slow cooker recipes I see have like 5644636 steps :/
    Reply
    • Dee March 12, 2017 · 1:45PM:
      Holly, that is so funny, but it's true! It's exactly why I haven't made any of them. Thanks for the laugh. Soooo, did you make it?
      Reply
    • Anne
      March 13, 2017 · 9:29AM:
      I hope you enjoy it! :)
      Reply
  • Christina @ montessoriishmom.com
    March 13, 2017 · 6:07AM:
    This looks so good! I went out for Indian food yesterday for the first time in a while and it was SO good. This looks like a great and easy way to recreate it at home, thanks!
    Reply
  • Paul
    March 13, 2017 · 11:24AM:
    Sounds like a lovely recipe! We love a curry and you can't go wrong by using a slow cooker. Greatest invention EVER! Well maybe not ever but I love it, haha!
    Reply
  • Meaghan Rae
    March 13, 2017 · 7:51PM:
    This looks amazing! I think I'm going to give it a try in my instant pot. My whole family loves curries.
    Reply
  • Lymor March 13, 2017 · 8:22PM:
    I made this today and it is SO good! I've tried several versions of crockpot tikka masala and this is my favorite. I would love some more crockpot recipes :)
    Reply
    • Anne
      March 14, 2017 · 9:16AM:
      Yay, I'm so glad you loved it! :)
      Reply
  • Cheryl March 14, 2017 · 3:27PM:
    Hi Anne! I have this cooking in my crockpot right now! We're in the middle of a snowstorm here in New Jersey, so this is perfect snow day food! I noticed that you have paprika in the photograph of all of the ingredients, but it's not listed in the recipe ingredients. I threw in about two teaspoons of paprika into mine, but I think it will be delicious with or without it.
    Reply
    • Anne
      March 14, 2017 · 5:18PM:
      Oh whoops, thank you for noting that - yes, it should have been two teaspoons of paprika, so that was perfect! :) I hope you enjoy it - definitely perfect snow day food!
      Reply
  • emily p March 17, 2017 · 7:57PM:
    This was delicious! I used 4 bone-in chicken thighs and about 2 cups cooked chickpeas, and cooked on low for six hours. I only had half a can of rich coconut milk, but the sauce was still fragrant and rich. I served on white rice and spinach, with lemon juice, cilantro, and whole milk yogurt for extra creaminess. Even my toddlers ate several bites. Thanks for the recipe, Anne ... I will be making this again soon!
    Reply
  • Hillary Gras March 24, 2017 · 11:20AM:
    Should we wait to put the coconut milk in until the end? Usually when i see coconut milk, its a late addition
    Reply
    • Anne
      March 24, 2017 · 11:28AM:
      Nope, put it in with everything else!
      Reply
  • Nikki February 20, 2018 · 7:19AM:
    I have made this countless times and it is a staple in our house! I've made it in my slow cooker and now switched to my instant pot and it turns out great! I put in frozen chicken breast and all ingredients except the coconut milk, manual for 12 minutes, add coconut milk in and done!
    Reply
    • Anne
      February 20, 2018 · 10:16AM:
      That's really good to know it works well in the instant pot, too! So glad you like it!
      Reply
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anne mauney fannetastic food
Hi, I’m Anne! I'm a Washington D.C. based Registered Dietitian, mother, runner, and lover of travel, adventure, and the great outdoors. I've been blogging since 2009, sharing a mix of lifestyle content, recipes, and fitness tips. Come for the recipes – stay for the fun!
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