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Crockpot Creamy Coconut Chicken Tikka Masala. The perfect bowl of warming comfort food that’s incredibly delicious. Indian-inspired tikka masala made with plenty of spice and creamy coconut milk. It’s perfectly spicy, creamy, and filled with warming Indian-inspired flavors. Making the dish in the crockpot leaves you with an even more flavorful sauce and tender chicken. Serve this creamy masala chicken over bowls of basmati rice with spicy sesame chili butter. You’ll have the perfect dinner that can be enjoyed any night of the week. And the leftovers are even more delicious the next day.
It’s almost Thanksgiving! I’m so excited for the next few days ahead. Lots of holiday prep will be underway. I always have so much fun getting to see what everyone is preparing for their holiday meal!
I feel so fortunate to be able to be a part of your homes and your families on such a special day. It’s so cool to me!! Very excited to see what recipes you all will be making this Thanksgiving!
But until then, we still have to eat dinner!
I always find this week so odd. A lot of us are prepping for Thursday, but regardless of whether we’re cooking Thanksgiving dinner or attending, we also need to eat dinner every night before then.
Most of the time, my family is in town so I love to share easy dinner ideas like this yummy slow cooker chicken tikka masala recipe. It’s one of those amazing dinners that tastes and looks amazing without effort.
The crockpot really has been my go-to for the last few months!
Must-Have Ingredients for slow cooker chicken tikka masala
- 2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts or chicken thighs
- 1 yellow onion
- 1 shallot
- 2 garlic cloves
- fresh ginger
- garam masala
- ground turmeric
- kosher salt
- full-fat plain Greek Yogurt
- tomato paste
- full-fat unsweetened coconut milk or plain greek yogurt
- cilantro
- salted butter
- sesame seeds
- chili flakes
- paprika
Here are the details
Some crockpot recipes are easier than others. This is one of those glorious crockpot dinners that really is just a few simple steps!
First, you’ll add the chicken to the bowl of your crockpot, then in goes pretty much all of the seasonings. The onion, shallot, garlic, ginger, garam masala, turmeric, and salt. I then add yogurt and instead of marinating the chicken for hours, I just let it sit on the spiced yogurt for 10 or so minutes.
I found that since this chicken cooks all day, the quick marinating time is all you need.
From here, add a can of tomato paste and a bit of water. Then cover and slow cook.
Just before you’re ready to serve, mix in a can of creamy full-fat coconut milk. Let the sauce cook until just slightly thickened and steaming warm.
Stir in lots of cilantro.
Per usual, I love to give my crockpot recipes something fresh to add color and flavor. Plus, I wanted to switch up the classic tikka masala recipe.
I did a quick sesame chili butter as garnish and it really is the secret to this dish. It makes it just a touch more special than other recipes. Trust me, the butter is key. Do not skip.
As this cooks, the aroma in the kitchen is truly incredible. It’s just like your favorite Indian spot in town, but maybe just a touch better. I always find anything made at home to be even more delicious.
I like to serve my tikka masala over steamed rice with some fresh naan for scooping up the creamy, coconutty sauce. Absolutely DELICIOUS.
Looking for other Indian-inspired dinners? Here are my favorites:
30 Minute Spicy Indian Butter Chicken
30 Minute Butter Chicken Meatballs
Super Simple Coconut Chicken Tikka Masala
Gingery Coconut Sweet Potato and Rice Stew with Chili Oil
Lastly, if you make this Crockpot Creamy Coconut Chicken Tikka Masala be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! Above all, I love to hear from you guys and always do my best to respond to each and every comment. And of course, if you do make this recipe, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram! Looking through the photos of recipes you all have made is my favorite!
What can replace coconut milk in this curry dish?
If you’re not sensitive to dairy, you can use heavy cream. Other coconut substitutes include other plant milks like soy/almond/ almond/cashew milk. You could even use Greek Yogurt if you’re in a pinch.
Is it OK to put coconut milk in the slow cooker?
Yes, you can put coconut milk in the slow cooker, but be sure to only add it at the end of the recipe. Just before you’re ready to serve, mix in the can of creamy coconut milk or substitute of your choice.
What exactly is tikka masala?
Tikka masala is a classic Indian dish. The word “tikka” means piece or chunk. And the masala is the sauce that the tikkas derive their delicious flavor. This flavorful dish has its origin in Indian cuisine and is said to have first been made popular in Britain by Indian Chefs living and working in Britain.
Crockpot Creamy Coconut Chicken Tikka Masala
Servings: 6
Calories Per Serving: 316 kcal
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Watch the How-To Reel
Ingredients
- 2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cubed
- 1 yellow onion, chopped
- 1 shallot, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, chopped
- 1 tablespoon fresh grated ginger
- 2 tablespoons garam masala
- 1 1/2 teaspoons ground turmeric
- kosher salt
- 1/4 cup full-fat plain Greek yogurt
- 1 can (6 ounces) tomato paste
- 1 can (14 ounces) full-fat unsweetened coconut milk
- 1/3 cup cilantro, chopped
- 6 tablespoons salted butter
- 2 tablespoons sesame seeds
- 1-2 teaspoons chili flakes
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
Instructions
Crockpot Pot
- 1. In the bowl of your crockpot, combine the chicken, yogurt, onion, shallot, garlic, ginger, garam masala, turmeric, 1 teaspoon kosher salt, and a pinch of chili flakes. Let sit 10 minutes. Add the tomato paste and 1/3 cup water. Cover and cook on low for 5-6 hours or on high for 3-4 hours.2. Crank the heat to high. Stir in the coconut milk and cook, uncovered, 10 minutes until warmed. Stir in the cilantro. 3. Meanwhile, melt together the butter, sesame seeds, chili flakes, and paprika. Cook until the butter is browning. Remove from the heat. 4. Serve the chicken and sauce over bowls of rice with fresh naan. Enjoy!
Instant Pot
- 1. In the bowl of your instant pot, combine the chicken, yogurt, onion, shallot, garlic, ginger, garam masala, turmeric, 1 teaspoon kosher salt, and a pinch of chili flakes. Let sit 10 minutes. Add the tomato paste and 1/3 cup water. Seal the lid and cook on high pressure for 8-10 minutes.2. Once done cooking, release the steam. Set the Instant pot to sauté. Stir in the coconut milk and cook, uncovered, 5- 10 minutes, until warmed. Stir in the cilantro. 3. Meanwhile, melt together the butter, sesame seeds, chili flakes, and paprika. Cook until the butter is browning. Remove from the heat. 4. Serve the chicken and sauce over bowls of rice with fresh naan. Enjoy!
Notes
Stove-Top: use my super simple tikka masala recipe.
This post was originally published on November 21, 2022
This was pretty good. I did the stove top version. I felt it was missing something, part of that might be that I only marinated the chicken for just under an hour in frig. I’ll make it again for sure, just marinate overnight.
Thanks again for making mealtime special and simple!
Rhonda
Hey Rhonda,
I appreciate you making this recipe and sharing your feedback, glad to hear it was enjoyed overall. Happy Friday! xx
Delicious and SO easy!
Um, yum! My family devoured this meal. It was so quick I was able to throw it together really easily and it serves like a meal that takes a lot of effort 😉.
Thank you so much for always providing me with delicious meals to feed my family. We all appreciate you!
Merry Christmas,
Kateland
Hey Kateland,
Thanks so much for your kind message and giving this recipe a try, I love to hear that it was enjoyed! Happy Holidays! xx
Very bland. I would cut the garam in half next time
Hey Mary,
So sorry to hear that this recipe was not enjoyed, thanks for giving it a try! xx
My family (including my picky toddler) loved this! I made it according to the instructions and it was perfect. I will definitely be making this again very soon. Thanks Tieghan!!
Hey Laura,
Amazing!! So glad you enjoyed this dish, thanks so much for making it and sharing your feedback! xx
My husband’s new favorite! So easy and so yum
Hey Brianna,
Happy Friday!!🌟 Love to hear that this recipe was tasty for you, thanks so much for trying it out! xT
I made this recipe, but not sure what to do with the butter? Put it over the chicken? Or mix into the sauce?
I am wondering the same thing about the butter…??
Hi Leah,
The butter is drizzled over the chicken for serving:) xx
Hey Cristina,
Thanks for giving this recipe a try! You’re going to drizzle the butter over the chicken for serving. Please let me know if you have any other questions! I hope it’s delish! xx
Made this dish the other day, it was pretty simple and the flavor was great..a other winner 🏆 in our house
Hey Marcy,
Happy Friday!!🌟 Love to hear that this recipe was tasty for you, thanks so much for trying it out! xT
Not very good. Crock pot way. Missing something
Hi there,
Sorry to hear this recipe was not enjoyed, please let me know if there is something I can help with! Thanks for giving it a try! xx
This was a keeper! I liked the flavour profile and will be making this again. I did add 2 packages of chicken Oxo and 2 tbsp. of maple syrup for a little more intense flavour. Wonderful recipe!
Hey there,
Awesome!! So glad to hear that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks so much for trying it out! xT
I made this tonight, and it was a HUGE hit! Even my 12 yo ate some, and commented how tasty it was. Great flavors! We will keep this in our rotation! Thank you Tieghan!!
Hey Vikki,
Wonderful!!❄️ Thanks a bunch for giving this recipe a try and sharing your feedback, I am so glad it was a winner:)
Made this tonight for my family. 10/10!! It was delicious and so easy. I did add coriander and cumin to make it a little more tikka masala-ish but highly recommend. Also I made in IP because I was short on time and it was still superb.
Hey Marianne,
Happy Friday!!🌟 Love to hear that this recipe was tasty for you, thanks so much for trying it out! xT
I must say I’m a little confused by the less than stellar reviews here. I’m wondering if it is the difference of crock pot vs. insta pot and the swapping of ingredients. I got a bit nervous after already starting this and then seeing the reviews and started mentally preparing for how to salvage it if the outcome was the same as some had written, but I did the recipe exactly as written minus the butter for 3 and a half hours on high in the crockpot and it’s great! I opted for thigh meat and the chicken stayed super juicy and moist. My 12 month old devoured it, and my husband who doesn’t hold back criticism on food also agrees it’s very good. It’ll probably become a staple for us. I’d advise following the recipe to a T (full fat Greek yogurt and coconut milk instead of swapping) and using the crockpot method if the reviews are making you hesitant.
Hey McKenna,
I truly appreciate you making this dish and sharing your review:) I love to hear that it was enjoyed! Thanks for sharing what worked well for you! xx
This is helpful! I’m always so baffled by people who totally change the recipe and then complain that the end result didn’t taste good… ha.
In the picture above of the butter mixture you have a star anise in it but there is no mention of star anise in the recipe. I did make your recipe on this snowy cold day snd it was very easy and quite delicious.
Hey Marian,
Wonderful!!❄️ Thanks a bunch for giving this recipe a try and sharing your feedback, I am so glad it was a winner:) The star anise is not needed, I just used as a garnish! xx
T-
My daughter sent this recipe to me and asked that I try it. I made it tonight, and wow! So good! Fantastic flavor! I used chunked chicken tenders for 5 hours. Perfect! Next time (and there will be many of those), I’ll use boneless skinless chicken thighs. Just delicious…well done!
Hey Laurie,
Wonderful!!❄️ Thanks a bunch for giving this recipe a try and sharing your feedback, I am so glad it was a winner:)
Instant Pot didn’t work out, not enough liquid and burned. Had to finish it on the stovetop. Definitely stick to crockpot only on this one. It’s delicious!
Hey Keri,
So glad you enjoyed the flavors here, so sorry about the instant pot, but glad you were able to save it on the stove!! xx
It was ok. Probably won’t make again. It’s definitely hard to compare this to an authentic Indian dish… I loved the butter that you finish with and the chicken came out super tender but I think it need sugar or something… it’s missing something? Not sure
We completely agree Sam. The chicken is perfect, but the sauce is almost “flat”. Like it’s missing something. 😥
Hi Sam,
I appreciate you giving this dish a try and sharing your feedback, so sorry to hear you didn’t love it! xx