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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.
Can you sub in coconut cream instead of milk in the last step?
Hi Lisa,
For sure, that will work well for you! I hope you love this dish, please let me know if you have any other questions! xT
Made this last night and everyone loved it! Also made one of your naans. Lots of compliments. And easy to make!
I love your page!
Hey Megan,
Fantastic!! Thanks a bunch for giving this recipe a try, I love to hear that it turned out well for you! xx
Hi Megan!
I think I just messed up. I just mixed in the coconut milk to the cock pot. Did I ruin it?
Hi. Looking to make this recipe but I don’t have a crockpot or instant pot. Can I follow the same steps in a regular pan with lid? Or would the first steps need to be adjusted? Thanks so much.
Hey Anna,
You can go ahead and follow this recipe:
https://www.halfbakedharvest.com/chicken-tikka-masala/
I hope you love this dish, let me know if you give it a try! xx
This recipe is perfect. I’ve made it both in the instant pot and crock pot now! Extremely easy to skip the yogurt to be dairy free- it made the gravy a teeny bit thin (not a complaint just an fyi!) I think my package of thighs was a little too small too. Anyway, it’s delicious and perfect and now I need more of the same type of chicken recipe with different flavors!!
Hey Jen,
Happy Friday!! So glad to hear that you enjoyed this recipe, thanks for making it and sharing your comment! xx
Hi!! I’ve made this in the instant pot before and it’s amazing. I’m making a large batch tomorrow but my instant pot is too small.. any suggestions for a stove top version? So grateful for your insight!
Hey Chelsi,
Happy Wednesday!! Thanks a bunch for trying this recipe and sharing your feedback, love to hear that it was a winner! You can simmer on the stove top for a few hours, you could also follow this recipe:
https://www.halfbakedharvest.com/chicken-tikka-masala/
🌞 xx
Any suggestions to make it dairy free? Substitute for Greek yogurt?
Thanks!
Hey Kathy,
You can use a dairy free yogurt:) Let me know if you have any other questions, I hope you love this recipe! xx
This recipe is fantastic and the melted sesame-paprika butter took it over the top. Butter totally upgraded the whole dish!
Hi Ashley,
Happy Monday!!⛅️ Thanks a bunch for giving this recipe a try, I love to hear that it turned out well for you:)
This just burnt on the bottom of my pressure cooker. How could I have avoided that?
Hi Leah,
So sorry to hear this! I’ve never had that happen before, was there anything you adjusted in the recipe? Let me know how I can help! xx
I’ve made this twice and it burnt on the bottom during the pressure cook step in my insta pot. I did not make any modifications to the recipe. I must be doing something wrong.
Hi Rachel,
So sorry to hear this, I’ve never experienced the burn notice but I know others have. Maybe try the crockpot method and see if that works better for you! xT
I make this but mine looks watery. What do I need to do to make the sauce a little thick?
Hi Stephanie,
Thanks for trying this recipe! I would remove the lid, turn the crockpot to high, and let the sauce simmer for a bit to thicken. I hope this helps! xT
how do you make the sesame chili butter that you mention in this recipe?
Hi Katrina,
That is made in step 3. Please let me know if you have any other questions, I hope this turns out well for you! xx
Hi! I’m confused.. does the butter go in the crock pot or over once served?
Hi Faith,
The butter from step 3 is used to drizzle over the dish when served:) Please let me know if you have any other questions! xT
Delicious and easy (as are all Tieghan’s recipes)! I (mostly) tripled the recipe and served with sides of mango chutney and a simple raita (instead of the chili butter) – everyone loved it.
Hi Ellen,
Happy Monday!!🌞 Thanks so much for making this recipe and sharing your review, I love to hear that it turned out well for you! xx
Love the idea of making this in a crockpot but we are vegetarian. Can I make with tofu or another plant-based protein?
Hey Katie,
Sure, tofu or cauliflower should work well for you! Let me know if you give this recipe a try, I hope you love it! xx
Hi! I have everything for this recipe accept for Greek yogurt! Any good substitute?
Hi Lauren,
You can use sour cream in place of the greek yogurt. Please let me know if you have any other questions, I hope you love this recipe! xx
Just made this and it was easy and delicious! One question— is the sesame butter supposed to be for the naan or to put in the curry? That confused me a bit. Thanks so much!!
Hey Emily,
Happy Friday!!🍀 I appreciate you making this recipe and sharing your comment, so glad to hear it was delish! I just drizzle that over each dish:) xT
I’ve made this several times now. The best chicken masala, by far, that I have ever made. So flavorful and easy!
Hey Cassidy,
Wonderful!! I appreciate you making this recipe and sharing your feedback, so glad to hear it was a winner! Have a great Wednesday! xx