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Slow Cooker Butter Chicken & Rice

Slow Cooker Butter Chicken & Rice
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Slow Cooker Butter Chicken & Rice is a comforting, rich, and creamy one-pot meal combining tender chicken thighs, aromatic Indian-inspired spices, and fluffy basmati rice. This effortless recipe lets your slow cooker meld flavors into a luscious, fragrant dinner perfect for busy weeknights or cozy gatherings. Enjoy a silky, deeply satisfying dish with minimal prep and maximum taste.

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken & Marinade

  • 1.5 lbs skinless, boneless chicken thighs
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp garam masala
  • 1/2 tsp ground cumin
  • 1/4 tsp turmeric
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tbsp grated fresh ginger
  • 2 tbsp tomato puree

Sauce & Cooking

  • 3 tbsp butter (or dairy-free margarine)
  • 1 tsp garam masala (additional, for toasting)
  • 1 cup heavy cream or coconut milk
  • 1/2 cup tomato puree
  • 1.5 cups long grain basmati rice, rinsed thoroughly
  • 2 cups chicken broth or water

Garnish

  • Fresh cilantro, chopped (for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Prepare the chicken and marinade: Season the chicken thighs with salt, garam masala, cumin, and turmeric. Mix minced garlic, grated ginger, and tomato puree into the chicken to coat fully. Let it marinate briefly to deepen the flavors while you prepare other ingredients.
  2. Sauté spices and butter: In a skillet or slow cooker with sauté function, melt the butter and lightly toast extra garam masala or whole spices if available. This activates the spices’ aroma to enrich the final dish.
  3. Combine all ingredients in the slow cooker: Place the marinated chicken in the slow cooker. Pour in cream (or coconut milk), add more tomato puree, chicken broth (or water), and then layer the rinsed basmati rice on top without stirring. This layering ensures the rice cooks evenly and absorbs flavors perfectly.
  4. Cook low and slow: Cover and cook on low for 4-5 hours or on high for 2-3 hours until the chicken is tender and rice is fluffy. Avoid lifting the lid too often to keep steam inside for optimal cooking.
  5. Finish and fluff: Once cooked, gently mix the chicken and rice together. Add an extra splash of cream or butter for an even richer finish if desired. Adjust seasoning with salt as needed and garnish with fresh chopped cilantro before serving.

Notes

  • Use bone-in chicken thighs instead of boneless for deeper flavor and juiciness.
  • Rinse basmati rice thoroughly to remove excess starch for fluffier rice.
  • Don’t skip sautéing the spices in butter; it intensifies flavor beyond what slow cooking alone can achieve.
  • Layer rice on top of chicken instead of mixing to avoid mushy texture and promote even cooking.
  • Adjust slow cooker cooking times based on your appliance’s heat characteristics for best results.

Nutrition

Keywords: Butter Chicken, Slow Cooker, Indian, One-Pot Meal, Creamy Chicken, Basmati Rice, Comfort Food, Easy Dinner

Find it online: https://homemademealz.com/slow-cooker-butter-chicken-rice/