Crock-Pot Chicken Tikka Masala Recipe! (2024)

Transport yourself to India with the flavors in this EASY 3-Ingredient recipe for Crock-Pot Chicken Tikka Masala! Served over rice for a fantastic dinner any night of the week!

Crock-Pot Chicken Tikka Masala Recipe! (1)

Slow Cooker Chicken Tikka Masala

If you need an easy dinner recipe that does not require a whole bunch of ingredients then you are going to love this simple recipe for chicken Tikka Masala made right in your slow cooker.

The recipe starts with about 2 pounds of boneless skinless chicken breasts that you cut up into chunks.

The chicken meat goes into the slow cooker along with a jar of your favorite Tikka Masala curry sauce.

We used a jar of Patak’s Tikka Masala Curry Simmer Sauce which we were able to source at all of our local grocery stores (Albertson’s, Kroger, Target and Super Walmart). But if you cannot find this particular brand near you, have no fear. Just pick a jar of Tikka Masala sauce and give it a try. You should be able to find this sauce in any grocery store with a half-way decent international foods section.

If you cannot find Tikka Masala sauce in jars at all where you live you could perhaps try making your own homemade Tikka Masala sauce at home.

The third ingredient is simply cooked rice. I always like to have a variety of rice in my pantry so to go with this Indian dish I opted for some lovely Basmati rice which I used this recipe for Crock-Pot Express White Rice to cook the rice about 30 minutes before the chicken was about to be done in the slow cooker.

Simply scoop some rice onto a plate and then spoon the chicken and the wonderful curry sauce over the rice. Dig in and enjoy!

Crock-Pot Chicken Tikka Masala Recipe! (2)

Equipment Needed For Crock-Pot Chicken Tikka Masala Recipe:

Crock-Pot Chicken Tikka Masala Recipe! (3)

Special Diets

Gluten Free | Low Fat | Low Sugar

More Chicken Crockpot Recipes:

Crock-Pot Chicken Tikka Masala Recipe! (4)

Crock-Pot Cayenne Chicken

The perfect combination of of spicy and sweet is what you will find in this easy recipe for Slow Cooker Cayenne Chicken! Serve this shredded chicken on buns with ranch and pickles for the perfect sandwich!

Crock-Pot Chicken Tikka Masala Recipe! (5)

Crock-Pot Creamy White Chicken Chili

Learn how to make this amazing Slow Cooker Creamy White Chicken Chili today! Featuring shredded chicken, white beans, corn, green chilies and cream cheese this chili is going to make your mouth smile!

Crock-Pot Chicken Tikka Masala Recipe! (6)

Crock-Pot Chicken Noodle Casserole

Topped with cheese and crushed potato chips this yummy Slow Cooker Chicken Noodle Casserole is baked in a casserole slow cooker. A great comfort food!

Crock-Pot Cheesy Chicken Enchilada Chili

You're going to flip over this EASY dump-and-go recipe for Slow Cooker Cheesy Chicken Enchilada Chili. Just a few ingredients tossed into the slow cooker and you have dinner ready!

Recipe Collections:

  • Chicken Crock-Pot Recipes
  • Entrée Recipes
  • Chicken Thigh Recipes
  • Easy Recipes
  • 3 Ingredients Or Less Recipes

Crock-Pot Chicken Tikka Masala Recipe! (8)

Crock-Pot Chicken Tikka Masala Recipe

Heidi Kennedy

Enjoy the flavors of India with this EASY 3 ingredient recipe. Tender chunks of chicken thigh meat are simmered away in the slow cooker in your favorite brand of store-bought tikka masala curry sauce. When the chicken is done, serve the chicken and sauce over rice for a simple and easy dinner!

4.78 from 22 votes

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 4 hours hrs

Total Time 4 hours hrs 15 minutes mins

Course Entrée

Cuisine Indian

Servings 6 Servings

Calories 356 kcal

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Add the cut up chicken thigh meat and jar of tikka masala curry sauce to the insert of a 4 to 6 quart slow cooker.

  • Cover and cook on LOW for 4 hours or until the chicken is fully cooked.

  • Serve over cooked rice and enjoy!

Notes

*Sauce Note - In this recipe we used a 15 ounce jar of Patak's brand Tikka Masala Curry Simmer Sauce which can be found at most major grocery stores that carry a good line of international foods. Feel free to use your favorite brand of sauce though!

**Rice Note - We served this tikka masala chicken over cooked Basmati Rice which has a lovely perfumed flavor that really compliments the tikka masala. However you can also serve the chicken and sauce over Jasmine rice, white rice or brown rice too. In fact you can cook rice in your slow cooker or Crock-Pot Express too!

Nutrition

Calories: 356kcal | Carbohydrates: 26g | Protein: 30g | Fat: 15g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 117mg | Sodium: 753mg | Potassium: 27mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 3g | Calcium: 10mg | Iron: 2.3mg

Tried this recipe?Rate the recipe and then let us know how it was!

Crock-Pot Chicken Tikka Masala Recipe! (9)
Crock-Pot Chicken Tikka Masala Recipe! (2024)

FAQs

Can you use coconut milk instead of cream in tikka masala? ›

Normally heavy cream is used in tikka masala, but coconut milk is the perfect substitute and I actually like it here better than cream. Yum. For you do-aheaders, you can make the masala sauce the night before and then cook the chicken right before dinner, heat up the sauce and you're done!

Can you put a jar of curry sauce in slow cooker? ›

This easy to make beef curry uses a jar of curry sauce and is cooked in the slow cooker. Just pop the ingredients in the slow cooker, switch on and leave to cook slowly.

What is the difference between tikka masala and garam masala? ›

Tikka masala is pieces of meat or chicken marinated with spices, whereas garam masala is the term used for 'hot spices' that are not spicy but can keep the body warm. Garam masala powders may contain chilli and peppers, although they can be aromatic but are not spicy.

What is the difference between chicken tikka masala and chicken tikka curry? ›

The only major difference that can be seen is that tikka masala contains more masala or spices in it. Tikka and tikka masala are of Indian origin. In tikka preparation, boneless chicken pieces are baked along with skewers in an oven made of clay called a tandoor.

Can I use yogurt instead of cream for tikka masala? ›

So, instead of cream, I use yogurt and butter (cream's close cousin) to get that rich and velvety tomato gravy for my Chicken Tikka Masala.

What can you substitute for heavy cream in tikka masala? ›

Chicken tikka masala is usually made with heavy cream, but I like to use coconut milk instead; its subtle sweetness works beautifully with the spices in the dish. Serve with steamed rice.

Why does my curry taste bitter in the slow cooker? ›

The chances are you can rescue your bitter curry by: Add equal parts sugar and salt, a teaspoon at a time, mixing well between each pair of additions and tasting until the curry is no longer bitter. Sugar and salt help to reduce bitterness. You can use any sweetener or salt you like.

What cannot be cooked in a slow cooker? ›

10 Foods You Should Never Make in a Slow Cooker
  1. Raw Meat.
  2. Seafood.
  3. Pasta.
  4. Rice.
  5. Delicate Vegetables.
  6. Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts.
  7. Dairy.
  8. Wine and Other Liquor.
Jan 19, 2024

How do you keep curry from getting watery in a slow cooker? ›

okay, secondly, you can put a tea towel under the lid. that will capture some of the moisture, it stops it circulating in the slow cooker. and then thirdly, you can use a corn flour slurry, so into a bowl, a little bit of corn flour, cold water, mix it with your finger, pour it in, stir it. you're done.

Is tikka masala hotter than butter chicken? ›

Butter Chicken is much more creamy and rich due to the addition of a generous amount of butter. The Butter Chicken sauce is pureed until smooth, while Chicken Tikka Masala keeps the tomatoes and onions in chunks to add more texture to the sauce. And, Butter Chicken is much less spicy than Chicken Tikka Masala.

Which is hotter tikka masala or butter chicken? ›

Tikka Masala is generally spicier than Butter Chicken. The spiciness of Tikka Masala comes from the use of chili powder, cumin, and other spices. On the other hand, Butter Chicken has a milder taste, with just a hint of spiciness from chili powder.

Are butter chicken and tikka masala the same? ›

The main difference between butter chicken and tandoori chicken tikka masala is the level of creaminess; butter chicken is much creamier, whereas chicken tikka masala relies on tomatoes and other spices, giving it its earthy and spicy flavor profile.

What is a substitute for yogurt in tikka masala? ›

Ingredients and substitues for the homemade tikka masala

Greek yogurt: If you don't like Greek yogurt, use plain whole milk. For a dairy-free option, you may use almond or coconut milk. Fresh lemon juice: Do not use botteled lemon juice unless you have no other choice. Garlic and ginger: use fresh, not powder.

What type of yogurt for Indian food? ›

What Type of Yogurt do We Use in Indian Cooking? Commonly, Indian people use yogurt in cooking. This type is called 'Dahi,' which uses Indian cuisine. It adds a creamy and light texture to the dishes without weighing them down.

Which is better chicken tikka masala or chicken vindaloo? ›

Vindaloo is known for its spicy and tangy profile, often made with vinegar and hot spices. Tikka Masala, on the other hand, has a creamy tomato-based sauce with milder spices, resulting in a rich and mildly spiced flavor. Your preference depends on your taste for spice and degree of creaminess.

Can I use coconut milk instead of cream in curry? ›

Coconut milk and cream are mostly interchangeable in recipes such as curries and soups. If you prefer a richer flavour and texture, try coconut cream or vice versa. However, be careful when substituting coconut milk and cream in baked goods.

Can you substitute coconut milk instead of cream? ›

The fat content of coconut milk should be roughly that of a dairy-based heavy cream. So, when a recipe calls for heavy cream, you just make a one-to-one substitution with coconut milk – so long as the fat content matches up. In our table above, we have coconut milk listed as sweet rather than sweet/savory.

Can you use coconut milk instead of cream in a sauce? ›

Dairy & Gluten-Free - Use your favorite GF pasta to make this recipe gluten AND dairy free! The coconut milk acts as a replacement for heavy cream, making this creamy sauce just decadent.

Does coconut cream curdle in curry? ›

Coconut milk is essential in the kitchen, especially if you cook Thai curries at lot. I have often found that it splits, even if the cooking temperature is low. The result still tastes lovely, but it doesn't look very appealing.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Neely Ledner

Last Updated:

Views: 5389

Rating: 4.1 / 5 (42 voted)

Reviews: 81% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Neely Ledner

Birthday: 1998-06-09

Address: 443 Barrows Terrace, New Jodyberg, CO 57462-5329

Phone: +2433516856029

Job: Central Legal Facilitator

Hobby: Backpacking, Jogging, Magic, Driving, Macrame, Embroidery, Foraging

Introduction: My name is Neely Ledner, I am a bright, determined, beautiful, adventurous, adventurous, spotless, calm person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.