There is nothing quite like the fragrant, warming aroma of Indian spices filling your kitchen on a quiet afternoon. This Chicken Tikka Masala recipe brings restaurant-quality flavor to your dining room table with the ease of a slow cooker, resulting in tender chicken morsels bathed in a velvety, spiced tomato sauce. It is the perfect comforting meal for a family gathering or a meal-prep Sunday.

Recipe Details

  • Yields: 8
  • Prep Time: 25 min
  • Cook Time: 4 hours
  • Total Time: 4 hours 25 min

Ingredients

  • 1 can (29 ounces) tomato puree
  • 1-1/2 cups plain yogurt
  • 1/2 large onion, finely chopped
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 4-1/2 teaspoons minced fresh gingerroot
  • 4 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 tablespoon garam masala
  • 2-1/2 teaspoons salt
  • 1-1/2 teaspoons ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 3/4 teaspoon pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 2-1/2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-1/2-inch cubes
  • 1 jalapeno pepper, halved and seeded
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch
  • 1 cup heavy whipping cream
  • Hot cooked basmati rice
  • Chopped fresh cilantro, optional

Instructions

  1. Begin by combining the tomato puree, yogurt, onion, olive oil, and the extensive list of aromatic spices—from the ginger and garlic to the cinnamon—inside a 5-quart slow cooker. Stir these until well-incorporated. Carefully fold in the cubed chicken breasts, the jalapeno halves, and the bay leaf. Cover the pot and cook on the low setting for 4 hours, or until the chicken is thoroughly cooked and tender. Before moving to the next step, remember to find and remove the bay leaf and the jalapeno halves.
  2. In a separate small bowl, whisk together the cornstarch and heavy cream until the mixture is smooth and free of lumps. Slowly pour this mixture into the slow cooker, stirring it gently into the sauce. Adjust the slow cooker setting to high, replace the lid, and cook for an additional 15 to 20 minutes. This final step allows the sauce to thicken into a rich, creamy consistency. Serve the hot tikka masala over a bed of fluffy basmati rice and garnish with a sprinkle of fresh cilantro if you like.

Tips for Success

For a more uniform and restaurant-style sauce, you can choose to blend the first 13 ingredients in a blender or food processor before adding them to the slow cooker. This creates a silkier base for the chicken to simmer in. Additionally, if you prefer a milder dish, ensure all seeds are removed from the jalapeno before adding it to the pot.

Gather your family around the table and enjoy this hearty, spice-infused classic that tastes like it spent all day on the stove!