Olivia Carter
Chicken Tikka Masala is a beloved Indian dish that is known for its rich and aromatic flavors. Traditionally, this dish is made by marinating chicken in a spiced yogurt mixture and then grilled or baked. However, you may be wondering if it is possible to make this delicious dish in a slow cooker, allowing you to enjoy all the flavors with minimal effort.
The good news is that yes, you can make Chicken Tikka Masala in a slow cooker! While the traditional method may take some time and attention, using a slow cooker can simplify the process and make it more convenient. With a few adjustments to the recipe, you can have tender and flavorful chicken Tikka Masala ready to enjoy with minimal hands-on cooking.
By using a slow cooker, you can let the dish cook slowly over several hours, allowing the flavors to meld together and the chicken to become tender and juicy. The slow cooker also helps to intensify the flavors, resulting in a dish that is just as delicious as the traditional version.
Whether you’re a busy individual looking for an easy weeknight dinner or someone who wants to try a new twist on a classic Indian dish, making Chicken Tikka Masala in a slow cooker is a great option. So grab your slow cooker, gather the ingredients, and get ready to experience the delightful flavors of this popular dish with minimal effort!
How to Make Chicken Tikka Masala in a Slow Cooker
Making delicious Chicken Tikka Masala at home is easier than you may think, especially if you have a slow cooker. With just a few simple steps, you can have a flavorful and aromatic dish that will impress your family and friends. Here’s how you can make Chicken Tikka Masala in a slow cooker:
Ingredients:
- 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 cup plain yogurt
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons ground cumin
- 2 tablespoons ground coriander
- 2 teaspoons paprika
- 1 teaspoon turmeric
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 onion, finely chopped
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon grated ginger
- 1 can (14 ounces) tomato sauce
- 1 can (14 ounces) coconut milk
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
- Cooked rice, for serving
Instructions:
- In a bowl, combine the yogurt, lemon juice, cumin, coriander, paprika, turmeric, salt, and black pepper. Add the chicken pieces to the bowl and toss until well coated. Let it marinate in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour, or overnight for best results.
- In a skillet, sauté the chopped onion, garlic, and ginger until the onion becomes translucent and fragrant. Transfer the mixture to the slow cooker.
- Add the marinated chicken to the slow cooker, along with the tomato sauce and coconut milk. Stir well to combine all the ingredients.
- Cover the slow cooker and cook on low heat for 6-8 hours, or on high heat for 3-4 hours. The chicken should be cooked through and tender.
- Once the chicken is cooked, stir in the chopped cilantro. Taste and adjust the seasoning if needed.
- Serve the Chicken Tikka Masala over cooked rice and garnish with additional cilantro. Enjoy!
Now you can easily enjoy the rich and aromatic flavors of Chicken Tikka Masala made in a slow cooker. This dish is perfect for a comforting meal at home or for entertaining guests. Give it a try and impress everyone with your culinary skills!
Choose the Right Ingredients
When making chicken tikka masala in a slow cooker, it is important to start with the right ingredients. Here are the key ingredients you will need:
- Chicken: Use boneless, skinless chicken thighs for the best flavor and tenderness. You can also use chicken breasts if you prefer.
- Yogurt: Plain yogurt is used to marinate the chicken and add creaminess to the dish.
- Spices: This dish is known for its aromatic spices. Make sure you have cumin, coriander, turmeric, garam masala, and paprika on hand.
- Ginger and Garlic: These two ingredients add a lot of flavor to the dish. Freshly grated ginger and minced garlic work best.
- Tomato Sauce: Tomato sauce forms the base of the creamy curry sauce. Use a good-quality tomato sauce for the best results.
- Heavy Cream: This ingredient adds richness and creaminess to the sauce. You can also use coconut milk for a dairy-free option.
- Onion and Bell Peppers: These vegetables add texture and flavor to the dish. Chop them into small pieces for even cooking.
- Basmati Rice: Serve your chicken tikka masala over a bed of fluffy basmati rice for a complete and satisfying meal.
- Naan Bread: Enjoy your chicken tikka masala with some warm naan bread on the side for a traditional Indian experience.
By using high-quality ingredients and following the right steps, you can make a delicious chicken tikka masala in your slow cooker. Enjoy!
Marinate the Chicken
To make a delicious and flavorful chicken tikka masala in a slow cooker, marinating the chicken is an essential step. This process helps to tenderize the meat and infuse it with a rich combination of spices.
Start by cutting boneless, skinless chicken breasts into bite-sized pieces. In a large bowl, combine yogurt, ginger, garlic, lemon juice, turmeric, cumin, paprika, garam masala, and salt. Mix well to create a marinade.
Place the chicken pieces into the marinade and ensure they are well-coated. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a lid and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or overnight for the best results. This allows the flavors to fully penetrate the chicken and create a delicious taste.
When marinating the chicken, it’s important to use a non-reactive container, such as glass or ceramic, as the acidic marinade can react with metal causing undesirable flavors.
Once the chicken has marinated for the desired time, it is ready to be cooked in the slow cooker. The marinated chicken will add layers of flavor to the tikka masala sauce as it simmers slowly, resulting in a tender and flavorful dish.
Prepare the Sauce
To make the delicious tikka masala sauce for the chicken, you’ll need a range of aromatic spices and other ingredients. Here’s what you’ll need:
- 1 tbsp vegetable oil
- 1 large onion, finely chopped
- 3 cloves of garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp grated ginger
- 2 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp ground coriander
- 1 tsp ground turmeric
- 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
- 1 can (400g) crushed tomatoes
- 1 cup plain yogurt
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- Salt to taste
To start, heat the vegetable oil in a pan over medium heat. Add the chopped onions and cook until they are soft and translucent. Next, add the garlic and grated ginger and cook for another minute.
In a small bowl, combine the ground cumin, ground coriander, ground turmeric, ground cinnamon, and cayenne pepper. Stir well to mix the spices together.
Add the spice mixture to the pan with the onions, garlic, and ginger. Cook for another minute, stirring constantly to release the flavors of the spices.
Next, add the crushed tomatoes and stir well to combine with the spices. Allow the mixture to come to a simmer and cook for about 5 minutes.
In a separate bowl, whisk together the yogurt and heavy cream until smooth. Slowly add the yogurt and cream mixture to the pan with the tomato and spice mixture, stirring constantly to prevent curdling.
Season the sauce with salt to taste. Cover the pan and let the sauce simmer for about 10 minutes to allow the flavors to blend together.
Optional Step: Blending the Sauce
If you prefer a smoother tikka masala sauce, you can blend it using an immersion blender or a regular blender. Simply transfer the sauce to the blender and blend until smooth. Be sure to let the sauce cool before blending to avoid any potential accidents.
Adjusting the Consistency
If you find the sauce to be too thick, you can add a little water or chicken stock to thin it out. On the other hand, if you prefer a thicker sauce, you can let it simmer for a bit longer to reduce and thicken.
Now that your tikka masala sauce is ready, you can proceed to the next step of marinating the chicken and preparing it in your slow cooker.
Slow Cook the Chicken
To make chicken tikka masala in a slow cooker, you will need to first slow cook the chicken. This will ensure that the chicken becomes tender and flavorful. Here’s how to do it:
Ingredients:
- 1.5 pounds of chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 cup of plain yogurt
- 2 tablespoons of lemon juice
- 2 cloves of garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon of ginger paste
- 1 tablespoon of ground cumin
- 1 tablespoon of ground coriander
- 1 teaspoon of turmeric
- 1 teaspoon of paprika
- 1 teaspoon of garam masala
- 1/2 teaspoon of salt
Instructions:
- In a large bowl, mix together the yogurt, lemon juice, minced garlic, ginger paste, ground cumin, ground coriander, turmeric, paprika, garam masala, and salt.
- Add the chicken pieces to the bowl and coat them well with the marinade mixture.
- Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or overnight for best results.
- Once the chicken has marinated, transfer the chicken and marinade to your slow cooker.
- Cover the slow cooker and cook on low heat for 4-6 hours or on high heat for 2-3 hours, until the chicken is cooked through and tender.
- After the chicken is cooked, use a slotted spoon to transfer the chicken pieces to a plate or serving dish, leaving the excess liquid behind.
- You can reserve the excess liquid to use as a sauce for the chicken tikka masala, or discard it if you prefer a drier dish.
You have now successfully slow cooked the chicken for your chicken tikka masala. You can proceed to make the sauce and combine it with the chicken to complete the dish. Enjoy!
Serve and Enjoy
Once the chicken tikka masala is cooked to perfection in your slow cooker, it’s time to serve and enjoy this delicious Indian dish. Here are some serving suggestions and tips for the perfect presentation:
- When serving the chicken tikka masala, you can garnish it with some fresh cilantro leaves or sprinkle some garam masala on top for added flavor.
- It pairs well with steamed basmati rice or freshly baked naan bread. You can even serve it with both for a complete and satisfying meal.
- For some extra freshness, you can serve the chicken tikka masala with a side of cucumber raita or a fresh green salad.
- If you’re hosting a dinner party or want to impress your guests, you can serve the chicken tikka masala in individual bowls or on a large platter with the rice or naan bread on the side.
- Don’t forget to provide some extra napkins or hand wipes for your guests, as this dish can be a bit messy but oh-so-delicious!
- Lastly, sit down with your loved ones, take a moment to savor the aroma, and enjoy each flavorful bite of this homemade chicken tikka masala.
Whether it’s a weeknight dinner or a special occasion, serving chicken tikka masala made in a slow cooker is sure to impress and satisfy your taste buds. So go ahead, serve and enjoy this flavorful Indian dish!
Questions and answers
How long does it take to make Chicken Tikka Masala in a slow cooker?
Chicken Tikka Masala can be made in a slow cooker in about 4-6 hours.
What ingredients do I need to make Chicken Tikka Masala in a slow cooker?
To make Chicken Tikka Masala in a slow cooker, you will need chicken, yogurt, lemon juice, ginger, garlic, cumin, coriander, paprika, turmeric, garam masala, tomato paste, diced tomatoes, onion, heavy cream, and cilantro.
Can I make Chicken Tikka Masala in a slow cooker without marinating the chicken?
Yes, you can make Chicken Tikka Masala in a slow cooker without marinating the chicken. The slow cooking process will help infuse the chicken with the flavors of the spices and sauce.
