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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.
I love your recipes but this is a no for me. Not enough flavor and not creamy enough. We eat a lot of Indian and this was just so so. I’m still a fan of your though.
Hey Liz,
Thanks for giving this recipe a try and sharing your feedback! So sorry to hear it was not enjoyed! Let me know if there is anything that I can help with! xx
Another keeper! After being tired of reusing the same recipes week after week, my husband and I each chose a few recipes from your site to try. This was the 2nd one we tried and loved it. Super simple with great flavors. No substitutions were made.
Hey Carissa,
Happy Thursday!! Thanks so much for making this dish! I love to hear that it turned out well for you! xx
It says to melt together the butter and spices… And then what? Sprinkle on top? Mix in?
I had the same question…there’s another question/comment from about a month ago, and the answer is that the butter is intended to be drizzled on top. Hope that helps!
Hey Rachel,
You’re going to drizzle that over each dish for serving:) Please let me know if you have any other questions! xx
This recipe was super easy to follow along with the homemade naan!!!! Absolutely delicious. I did add some sugar to help balance out the acidity of the tomato paste. The brown butter sauce with toasted sesame seed, chili flake and paprika was a nice addition to place on top. Thank you for sharing this recipe.
Hey Stephanie,
Amazing!! So glad to hear that this recipe turned out well for you, thanks so much for making it! xT
Does not work in the instant pot. Gives a burn notice. Probably due to the tomato paste. I had to finish it on the stovetop.
Hi Laura,
Thanks for giving this recipe a try and sharing your feedback! So sorry to hear about the burn notice. I hope it was delish after finishing on the stove top! xx
I have made this recipe in the instant pot before without getting the burn notice and it comes out fine. I made it exactly the same way tonight and I repeatedly got the burn notice on my instant pot even after adding additional liquid. It was so frustrating even though it still comes out great.
I agree with the other comment about too much garam masala – it made the dish kind of bitter. I ended up adding a tablespoon and a half of honey and it balanced the dish out.
Hey Kristin,
Thanks for making this recipe and sharing your feedback! Sorry to hear about the garam marsala, but glad you were able to balance out the flavors! xx
Help! I accidentally added the can of coconut milk to the crock pot along with all ingredients I didn’t see until too late you add it last 10 minutes 🙁 Is this salvageable or do I have to toss??
Hi Michelle,
I would just leave it, should be totally fine! Let me know how this recipe turns out, I hope you love it! xT
Hi! I don’t have a crockpot! Could you please tell me how long would I have to cook this on the stove and if would I follow all other directions the same?
Hey Isabel,
You can go ahead and follow this recipe:
https://www.halfbakedharvest.com/chicken-tikka-masala/
Please let me know if you have any other questions! xT
Every time I go to make this recipe the grocery store is out of chicken! Made it with beef the first time. Was looking forward to using chicken but all I have on hand is bone in skin on chicken thighs. So here’s to hoping it turns out alright!
I hope you love this recipe Emily! It should work well with the thighs! xT
Hello, Just wondering about a substitute for the sesame seeds as my daughter is allergic.
Thanks!
Hey Catherine,
You can go ahead and skip the sesame seeds, no big deal:) Let me know if you give this recipe a try, I hope you love it! xT
Honestly, this is wicked good!!!! I love that I can just add a bit of heat to the main dish for my wimpy husband and then add more spice for myself with the drizzle. The drizzle should be illegal! My favourite recipe so far!
Hey Amy,
Happy Sunday!😃 Thanks so much for making this recipe and your comment, I am so glad it turned out well for you! xx
Made in the instapot. I will say next time I would cut the garam masala by half. It was very overpowering and masked the other flavors. Otherwise it was easy to make and good weeknight dinner. The sesame butter was so good!
Hi Christy,
Thanks for giving this recipe a try and sharing your feedback! Sorry to hear about the garam masala! xT
Love ALL your recipes. Trying this one tonight, but I just realized I am out of coconut milk. Any other thoughts for a substitute? Thanks!
Hi Alyssa,
Any other milk that you enjoy will work well for you here! Please let me know if you have any other questions! xT
Do you add the butter at the end and mix in, or is it intended to be a drizzle on top? Thanks!
Hey there,
I intended for the butter to be drizzled on top for serving. Please let me know if you have any other questions, I hope you love this recipe! xx
Would this work with steak as well?
Hey Jessalyn,
Sure, I don’t see why not! Let me know if you give this recipe a try, I hope you love it! xx
Thank you!
First time making one of your recipes! This was delicious. It was easy to make too. I cooked it on high for 3 hours and it came out perfect.
Hey Melissa,
Happy Thursday! So glad to hear that you enjoyed this recipe and thanks so much for making it! xT