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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 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 tikka masala. 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!
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 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 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!
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.
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.
Definitely a keeper. Mine was a little more runny than I like ~ might decrease the liquids and/or cook a tad longer.
Hey Jody,
Awesome!! Love to hear that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks for making it and sharing your review:) Happy Thanksgiving! 🍽
Hello wondering about the butter mixture at the end… does this just get spooned over everything at the end?
Hey Megan,
You are going to drizzle the butter over the chicken for serving. I hope you love this recipe! xT
Look at the picture. The butter mixture is added on the top of each serving.
Thanks Christina:)
Same question about butter–is it for dipping the naan bread or put it on the chicken?
Hi Lynda,
You are going to drizzle the butter over the chicken for serving. I hope this recipe turns out well for you, please let me know if you have any other questions! xx
Hi there. Would it be a problem to use the standard ginger spice from a jar instead?
Hi Erin,
Sure, you can use 1 teaspoon of ground ginger in place of the fresh ginger. Please let me know if you have any other questions, I hope this recipe turns out delish! xx
looking for the same answers on the butter?
Hi Rosemary,
The butter is drizzled over the chicken for serving. Please let me know if I can help in any other way! xT
What do you do with the butter mixture? Mix it in at the end?
I was just going to ask the same question!
Hey Mary,
You are going to drizzle that over the chicken when serving. I hope this recipe turns out amazing for you, please let me know if you give it a try! xx
So excited to try this!
I always freeze extra batches of the curry paste from the Super Simple version. Can I use that here instead? Thanks!!
Thanks so much Michael!! Sure, that would be delicious! Please let me know if you have any other questions, I hope you love this recipe! xT
Hi Tieghan,
The butter mixture photograph has a star anise featured, but is not listed among the ingredients required. Should I be adding one of these to the butter mixture as well?
Can’t wait to try this!
Thanks!
Hey Samantha,
Nope, you do not need to add any star anise, you can follow the recipe as written:) I hope it turns out amazing for you, please let me know if you give it a try! xx
This sounds good and I will try it. Tho, I am disappointing with all halfbacked recipes that the nutritional information consist of calories only. Why can’t full nutritional values be included? This would be extremely helpful.
Hi Libby,
Thanks for sharing your feedback, at this time, we only have the estimated calorie count available. Please let me know if you have any other questions! xx
What do you do with the butter mixture at the end?
Hey Jacquelyn,
You are going to drizzle the butter mixture over the top for serving. Please let me know if you have any other questions! xx
This sounds delicious and I am definitely going to give it a try. But I’m unclear as to what to do with the sesame butter. Is it drizzled over the top?
Hi Denise,
Yes, you are going to drizzle over the chicken for serving. Please let me know if I can help in any other way, I hope you love this recipe! xT
Referring to Step #3 in the instructions: it isn’t clear, but I’m assuming you cook the butter mixture in a separate pot on the stove? Is that right?
And what is the point of this butter mixture? What do you do with it? The instruction says to cook it, but leaves one hanging as to what to do with it once it’s cooked.
Hey Joanna,
Yes, you are going to cook that on the stove top and then add as part of the sauce to the top of the chicken. I hope this helps! Please let me know if you have any other questions! xx
Sorry I’ve just realised I was reading the ‘instant pot’ version . I now see the slow cooker version , so am I correct that crock pot is a ‘ branded ‘slow cooker ?
Thanks
For the Half Baked Harvest recipes with a “slow cooker” or “crockpot” version, I simply use the slow cook feature on my Instant Pot which has “Less, Normal, More” options that correspond to “Low, Intermediate, High” cooking temperature settings. I have never had an issue with using my Instant Pot in slow cook mode as a “branded” Slow Cooker or Crockpot.
Correct:) I hope you love the recipe! xx
Hi Tiegen,
I would like to try this lovely recipe of yours. Could I inquire about your Crockpot please? Is it like a slow cooker version or more like a pressure cooker as I have seen a crockpot turbo multifunction cooker where you can release steam. ( Amazon)
I have a slow cooker but the recipe doesn’t lend itself to a slow cooker’s cooking time .
Thank you
Hi Maria,
A slow cooker and crockpot are the same thing:) Here is the link for my slow cooker in case you were wondering exactly what I use:
https://api.shopstyle.com/action/apiVisitRetailer?id=900703822&pid=uid3696-43323264-41&aid=43342403&utm_content=productwidget%3A6359cf6f870c5535efbf1a3d&utm_medium=referral
Please let me know if you have any other questions! I hope this helps! xx