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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 tried making this in the instant pot but the food burned – do you have any suggestions? It looks delicious so I’d like to try again!
Hey Natalie,
Thanks so much for giving this recipe a try! So sorry, a few others have mentioned the burn issue. I’ve never experienced this, but sounds like you need some more liquid! Let me know! xx
Is the chili butter for the naan bread or do you add it to the chicken?
Hi Adria,
You are going to drizzle that over the chicken:) I hope this recipe turns out well for you, please let me know if you give it a try! xx
This recipe is a disaster in the Instant Pot. My instincts told me there was not enough liquid, and sure enough it burned. I was able to salvage it on the stovetop.
I had the same experience, so when I opened the instant pot I added the coconut milk and turned it back on high pressure for 6min and it was perfect!
Thanks so much for sharing Kayla!!
Hey Kathryn,
So sorry to hear you had issues with the instant pot, I’ve never had the burn issue so I’m not sure what is causing that! xx
I see in the picture with the sesame butter a star anise but no where is it in the ingredients. Am I suppose to add it?
Hey Teri,
Nope, I just added as garnish, but it’s not necessary:) I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! xT
Delicious!! I added a squeeze of fresh lemon juice at the end and it gave it a nice zing! Will definitely make again!
Hey Mikayla,
Amazing!! I love to hear that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks so much for giving it a try! xx
my husband added the coconut milk at step one and used fresh tumeric ! will this change anything ?
Hi Callie,
It should be okay:) Let me know how the recipe turns out! xx
Made it and it was amazing! Loved the addition of the chili butter at the end.
Hi Molly,
Amazing!! I love to hear that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks so much for giving it a try! xx
I only have fat free Greek yogurt, is it ok to use? I’ve tried cooking with it a couple times and it seems to separate. Could I add something……add fat somehow to substitute the full fat yogurt? I do not have sour cream but I do have butter milk. Trying to not go to the store lol!
Hey Emily,
That should be just fine for you to use, just make sure it is at room temperature. Please let me know if you have any other questions, I hope you love the recipe! xx
A family favorite and so easy and great for a busy day when I have no time to fuss. This recipe is on repeat at our house!
Hey Jean,
Happy Monday!! Thanks a bunch for trying this recipe out, I love to hear that it was enjoyed! xT
Would I need to adjust the recipe if I use bone-in chicken thighs?
Hey Rebecca,
I would recommend sticking with boneless chicken for this recipe, thighs would be great! Please let me know if you have any other questions, I hope this recipe turns out well for you! xx
This looks so good! I don’t have a crockpot though and really want to try this out. I have a Dutch oven, think I could use that?
Hi Georgiana,
For the stove top instructions, please follow this recipe:
https://www.halfbakedharvest.com/chicken-tikka-masala/
Please let me know if you have any other questions! xT
I made this tonight and it was so delicious! I used a crockpot and added more yogurt than the recipe calls for. I also made mine a bit spicier with crushed red pepper and a dash of sriracha. Chicken was so tender and the brown butter sauce made the dish gourmet 🙂
Hey Shelly,
Happy Monday!! Thanks a bunch for trying this recipe out, I love to hear that it was enjoyed! xT
We enjoyed this recipe very much, and agree that the butter/sesame sauce was a game changer. In the future, I would use dark meat in this recipe, as the chicken got a bit dried out. But this is a very tasty recipe.
Has anyone made this in an instant pot? If so can you share the timing you used? Thanks!
Hi Leah,
Please follow the full instant pot instructions listed above:) I hope you love the recipe! xT
Hey Anita,
Happy Monday!! Thanks a bunch for trying this recipe out, I love to hear that it was enjoyed! xT
This was super easy and incredibly tasty. Don’t skip the butter sauce!
Hey LJ,
Happy Monday!! Thanks a bunch for trying this recipe out, I love to hear that it was enjoyed! xT
Fantastic recipe- followed to a T- except only had thin sliced chicken breast- chopped and cooked on low for 2 1/2 hours. Perfect, tender, flavorful. I will make this over and over. DID follow the guidance on don’t miss the “sauce”- it was great with bread also. Thank you for yet another fabulous recipe!!
Hey there,
Happy Monday!! Thanks a bunch for trying this recipe out, I love to hear that it was enjoyed! xT