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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!
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 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!
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.
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.Â
This was my first time using a crockpot for an Indian chicken dish. Overall it was a good dish. I read some reviews calling the dish bland, so I took the extra step to pan fry the onions, garlic, and spices beforehand to let the spices bloom. Other than that I followed the recipe exactly. After 4 hours, I tasted the dish and decided it needed some cayenne and cumin, which improved the flavor immensely. I will make this dish again, but next time I will add more spice (and bloom before adding to crockpot, which I think is key), use thighs (breasts can get very dry in a crockpot) and a little less tomato paste.
Hi Anne,
Happy Sunday!! I appreciate you trying this recipe and sharing your feedback! So glad to hear it was enjoyed! Xx
This dish was so disappointing. Made it for my birthday dinner and it was SO BLAND. no flavor or depth. I double checked the recipe multiple times to make sure I didn’t miss something. I feel bad saying this but I feel like it was such a waste of time and ingredients / $.
Hi there,
Thanks for trying this recipe and sharing your feedback, so sorry to hear it was not enjoyed. Please let me know if there is anything that I can help with! xT
When do you adding the yogurt? I don’t see it in the recipe 🙂
Nevermind! I see it! I can’t erase my comment lol. Making this for dinner tonight. Added some ground cumin and paprika.
Thank you! Smells amazing and I love watching your videos on Insta.
Thanks so much Monica!! Hope it’s delish:)
Hi Monica,
The yogurt is added in step 1:) Please let me know if you have any other questions! xT
I LOVE this recipe I’ve made it several times it’s a big hit in our house!
Love to hear this, Cleo!! So glad the recipe turned out well for you, thanks for making it! xT
My absolute favorite!! Better than take out!!
Hey there,
Wonderful! So glad to hear this recipe turned out for you, thanks for giving it a try! Happy Friday! xT
Delicious and easy to make with not too many ingredients. The kiddos loved it too!
Hey there! Thank you so so much for trying out the recipe! I appreciate you taking the time to leave a comment as well! 🙂 xT
Can’t wait to make this! Can I put everything in the crockpot the night before? I typically have a neighbor turn on my crockpot I’m at work so I was wondering if I could have it prepped and ready tonight before for her to put on the next day. Thanks!
Hi there! Yes, that should work just fine! xT
Made this recipe today and it was so yummy! The butter on top is definitely a very nice touch. I will definitely do it again!
Thank you so much for trying out the recipe! Hope you’re having an awesome weekend! 🙂 xT
Like many of comments before, this recipe comes out very bland if you are used to traditional Indian Chicken Tikka Masala. The ease of recipe was ideal, but just lacking in flavor. I will use this method and probably add several more spices next time!
Thanks for the input Leigha! I appreciate it! xT
My husband and I cooked this tonight in our instapot. Followed the recipe exactly but unfortunately it burned. My instapot didn’t alert that it was burning and kept cooking. Luckily, we were able to salvage most of it! The flavors are great. Maybe more water or other liquid next time. Thanks for the recipe!
Oh no! So sorry this didn’t turn out for you! Yes, I would add more liquid next time and hopefully that will help! xT
Made this recipe last night. Followed directions as written and made the sauce. It was very good and lots of flavor
So glad you enjoyed this recipe Kimberly! xT
Just made this tonight and had it over brown rice. Made enough to have leftovers and so glad I did. This was so creamy and delicious.
Hey there! So glad you enjoyed this recipe! Thank you so much for giving it a try! xT
Delicious! Thank you
We LOVED this! I even forgot the sauce with the paprika, sesame, chili flakes and butter but it still tasted amazing. We made the garlic naan with it too and it was fantastic. Thank you!!
Hey there! So glad you enjoyed this recipe! Thank you so much for giving it a try! xT
Was considering trying this recipe, but in reading it over, there seems to be a step missing – is the butter from Step 3 for the accompanying naan or is it added to the crockpot with the chicken? The instructions don’t say what to do with it after removing from the heat. Thanks!
Was also wondering this! We sprinkled over the top of our meal but also wondered if we should mix it in to the sauce?
In her video it looks like she puts the sauce on the dish as a finishing touch.. So rice topped with chicken tikka masala, then top that with the butter. Hope this helps!
The butter is the “sauce” that you spoon on top before serving.
Ugh I feel so bad writing this because I’m SUCH a huge fan of all your recipes. This one just lacks flavor and depth to the point that my husband wouldn’t have known it was supposed to be Indian food. We were so disappointed and I followed the recipe exactly. Love your other stuff though!
Hi Kara! Oh no, I’m really sorry you didn’t enjoy this recipe! Thank you for letting me know! xT
I felt the same way! like it was missing a flavor component, I just can’t figure out what.