An absolute classic fakeaway, this Slow Cooker Chicken Tikka Masala is an complete winner for a weekend (or weeknight) curry night. This creamy tomato curry is a comforting, tangy, rich dish that’s perfect for the whole family or when cooking for guests.
Everyone loves a Chicken Tikka Masala, and this slow cooker one is so easy and tasty because it allows all those flavours to marinate over hours for a wonderful depth of flavour that disguises the fact that there isn’t an enormous ingredient list here.
This dish has been made in the UK for decades, becoming one of our most-loved dishes and a firm takeaway favourite too, and its many variations come with wildly different levels of difficulty and spices. This one sits firmly between the two camps of ‘a jar will do’ and ‘this dish takes many careful hours and rare ingredients to perfect’.
Why you’ll love this recipe
⭐️ Satisfying and low cost
⭐️ Super simple but impressive
⭐️ Perfect on its own or as part of a banquet
About Slow Cooker Chicken Tikka Masala
I love this article in The Culture Trip, which talks about the origins of ‘Britain’s unofficial national dish’ and its apparent links to Glasgow, for many believe that the Chicken Tikka Masala is actually a British version of a curry which perhaps never existed in South Asia, or at least is an adaptation of an authentic dish that travelled many miles.
One thing is for sure, and that’s that no matter what form it comes in and what recipe you use, it remains one of our very favourites. And that’s because it’s so bloomin’ delicious. I feature plenty of curry recipes that are popular, but I couldn’t resist making my own version of a classic, and making it as easy as possible.
What you’ll need
- Chicken breasts – Chop them into bite-sized pieces
- Onion – You’ll need one or about 160g if you’re using pre-chopped frozen from a pack
- Chopped tomatoes – tinned
- Garlic puree – Use about 3 cloves if you’re using fresh
- Tikka curry paste – or tikka masala curry paste, not regular curry sauce
- Mango chutney – I love the Geeta’s brand for lots of flavour
- Garam masala – To add before serving
- Creme fraiche – I used half fat in this. DO NOT overhead creme fraiche or it will curdle. I used around 100ml of creme fraiche, however if you want a more creamy sauce feel free to add more. If you don’t want to buy a whole pot you could leave this out, however it does give that classic Chicken Tikka Masala tang.
How to make it
- Put all of the slow cook ingredients into the slow cooker pan and cook according to the recipe at the bottom of this page.
2. Just before serving, stir in garam masala, mango chutney and creme fraiche.
Substitutions
- Chicken – You could use chicken boneless skinless thighs instead here, but they may need additional cooking time.
Leftovers
In the fridge You can keep this recipe in the fridge for 3 days. Reheat fully in the microwave or on the hob before serving.
In the freezer If you were making a batch of this, I would freeze without creme fraiche if possible. But if you’re just freezing leftovers this will be fine, it’s just dairy can be a little temperamental when frozen!
Serving suggestions:
- Rice
- Naan
- Raita
- Poppadoms
- Mango chutney
- Or if you’re cooking up a feast for a curry night, try out my Palak Paneer, Keema, Easy Beef Curry or Veggie Butternut Squash Curry.
FAQ
Yes, this a great alternative to a takeaway because it’s nutritious and doesn’t have any additional hidden calories for the oil or cream.
The creme fraiche is also used pretty sparingly.
The Morphy Richards Sear & Stew Slow Cooker is my all-time favourite because you can use it for initial browning on the hob and it’s really light.
For induction hobs, I recommend the Lakeland Digital 6.5l Slow Cooker instead.
I sure do! My high ⭐️ rated Slow Cooker Chicken Curry and Slow Cooker Beef Curry always go down a treat. There’s also my Slow Cooker Lamb Curry and Slow Cooker Red Lentil Dahl. For some this a little different, try my Chicken Curry Noodles.
Slow Cooker Chicken Tikka Masala {Easiest Ever Recipe!}
Ingredients
- 700 g Chicken breast Chopped into bitesize pieces
- 1 Onion See notes
- 400 g Chopped tomatoes 1x can
- 1 tsp Salt
- 2 tbsp Garlic puree Or 3 cloves if using fresh
- 3 tbsp Tomato puree
- 150 g Tikka masala paste
Before serving:
- 4 tbsp Mango chutney
- 2 tsp Garam masala Add before serving
- 100 ml Creme fraiche I use half fat | See notes
Instructions
- Put all of the slow cook ingredients into the slow cooker pan, cook on HIGH for 3-4 hours (or 6-8 hours on low). As always, check the meat is cooked through before serving.
- Before serving, stir in garam masala, mango chutney and creme fraiche.
Barbara mendy says
Omg did your doner kebab and it was one of the best I’ve ever had will be doing this again.
Maxine says
Made the chicken satay dish. It is wonderful. So easy. So tasty. Feels like a real treat. Gave some to.my cousin who thought it was divine
Louise says
Made for the first time tonight and it was a hit. Absolutely delicious!
Laura says
Super good!! So easy, and so tasty!!
Sam says
Made the slow cooker chicken tikka masala today, absolutely lovely, will be making again
Alex Byrne says
So delicious! And really easy. Went down a storm with the whole family.
Nicky says
The whole family love this! If I’m doing double the chicken to feed more people should I double all the other ingredients too? X
Beckie says
So super easy, what could be better than throwing it all in to the slow cooker then smelling beautiful food all afternoon! Such good flavours, the leftovers were meant to be frozen but we’re eaten the next day!!
Charlotte Farah-price says
Absolutely amazing and so easy to cook!!! My children are super fussy so I made them something different and they opted in for the tikka masala instead. Even had left over for my parents and they thought it was from a takeaway. Hands down one of the best meals I’ve cooked. My son is now demanding a Curry night every week amd my mum has begged for the recipe. Thank you
Stephen says
Made chicken tikka in slow cooker last night for mum in law and wife they absolutely loved it will definitely do it again
Claire says
This is the BEST! I’m a bit shy with ‘heat’ but omg it is amazing. Tasted like i was at a restaurant!
Leanne says
I have 2 very fussy eaters . I decided I would try them on something new like I do every month and they both absolutely love this and has been requested again . Only 1 child picked the onions out but other then that it is now a new meal on our menu.
Kate says
Made the tikka masala for the first time this weekend. So easy and everyone agreed it was absolutely delicious.
Helen says
Super easy and so so tasty. Have made this serval times and the kids love it!
Kirsty says
Made this last night and it was a big hit!! my husband is not a fan of slow cooker anything but loved this and the Little’s who don’t like curry tried it. Will definitely be making again, works well with turkey too as that’s all we had thanks to no chicken in the supermarket on Sunday.
Paula says
This curry was AMAZING!! Will definitely be making it again. Can’t wait to try out the next recipe, thank you
Michelle says
Love this recipe for tikka masala so easy to make too .
Pavlina says
Oh WOW! How easy and oh so delisious, just wow! We have decided to have it with chips tonight 😂 the house smells devine!
More slow cooking recipes, please! We love veggie dishes too!
Every single slow cooked meal I’ve made is stunning!!!
👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
Melanie Hodson says
Delicious and so easy to do. Will definitely be making it again.
Tess says
I have spent 5 years trying to find a curry recipe my 5 year old would eat… she loves curry at the Indian restaurant but never one Mummy makes! Even pre school made a better curry than I did apparently! Hurrah for this recipe! I am intrigued to know what the update was on the 7th March as I cooked it on the 5th March!?
Sarah Rossi says
We update posts every day to include answering more questions, adding tips etc etc! So glad she enjoyed it! 🙂
DEW says
The whole family LOVE this curry! so good to come home to on a Friday night!!