I make this slow cooker chicken tikka masala when I’m craving Indian takeout but want to keep things simple. The slow cooker does all the work, and the result is a cozy, spiced tomato sauce that tastes like it simmered all day. This Slow Cooker Chicken Tikka Masala is my answer to busy days when I still want something full of flavor. In This Article Amy’s NotesKey Recipe IngredientsSubstitutions And VariationsStep-By-Step Recipe InstructionsHow To Prep AheadWhat To Serve with Slow Cooker Chicken Tikka MasalaVideo: Watch Us Make This RecipeSlow Cooker Chicken Tikka Masala RecipeFrequently Asked QuestionsMore to Cook and Eat View more This post may contain affiliate links, at no additional cost to you. Amy’s Notes I make this Slow Cooker Chicken Tikka Masala when I want all the cozy, spiced comfort of my favorite Indian dish without standing over the stove. Here’s what makes it special: Rich, Creamy Flavor: The yogurt and tomato base blend into a smooth, tangy sauce that coats every bite of chicken. It’s got that same deep flavor I love in our classic Chicken Tikka Masala. Perfectly Tender Chicken: Slow cooking keeps the chicken thighs juicy and soft. They soak up every bit of spice, turning out just as flavorful as if they’d been marinated overnight. Warm, Balanced Spices: Garam masala, cumin, and coriander bring the right mix of heat and warmth. The cinnamon and chili powder round it out for a sauce that’s bold but never overpowering. Easy Weeknight Prep: I toss everything together in the slow cooker the night before, then just turn it on in the morning. By dinnertime, the house smells incredible and dinner’s ready to serve. Indian-Inspired Comfort: Served with basmati rice or naan, it’s the kind of meal that feels both homey and special. The flavors remind me of my favorite takeout nights and pair beautifully with Tandoori Chicken In Oven. Key Recipe Ingredients Yogurt – Adds creaminess and tang to the sauce while keeping the chicken tender. I reserve one cup to stir in at the end for a smooth finish. Greek yogurt works too if that’s what you have. Tomato Paste – Creates a thick, rich base that holds up well during slow cooking and gives the dish its deep tomato flavor. Garam Masala – The signature spice blend that gives tikka masala its warm, aromatic flavor. Sugar – Just a touch to balance the acidity of the tomato paste and yogurt. Ground Chili Powder – Gives gentle heat and color. Adjust the amount to your spice preference. Ground Coriander – Adds citrusy, nutty notes that round out the flavor. Ground Turmeric – Adds golden color and mild earthiness to the sauce. Chicken Thighs – Stay juicy and tender during slow cooking. Chicken breasts can be used, but thighs give better flavor. Substitutions And Variations Here are some of our favorite substitutions and variations: Protein Options: I usually use chicken thighs for their tenderness, but chicken breasts work just as well. You can also try tofu, or paneer for a lighter or vegetarian version. Dairy Swaps: If you’re avoiding dairy, use coconut milk or a plant-based yogurt instead of regular yogurt. It gives a slightly sweeter, creamy sauce that still tastes delicious. Spice Level: I like mine medium with 2 teaspoons of chili powder. Add more for extra heat or cut back for a milder dish that’s still full of flavor. Step-By-Step Recipe Instructions Add garlic, onion, tomato paste, and 1½ cups yogurt to the slow cooker and stir to combine. Mix in all the spices and olive oil until evenly blended. Pat chicken dry and add to the slow cooker, stirring to coat thoroughly. Cover and cook on low for 2½–3 hours until chicken is tender. Stir in reserved 1 cup yogurt and chopped cilantro just before serving. Serve over basmati rice or with naan to soak up the creamy sauce. For full list of ingredients and instructions, see recipe card below. How To Prep Ahead Take a look at our best prep-ahead strategies for this recipe: Assemble the Night Before: Combine everything except the reserved yogurt and cilantro in your slow cooker insert. Cover and refrigerate overnight. In the morning, place the insert into the slow cooker base and start cooking. Dinner will be ready when you are. Prep Ingredients in Advance: Dice the onion, mince the garlic, and grate the ginger a day ahead. Store them in airtight containers in the fridge so you can toss everything together quickly when it’s time to cook. This Slow Cooker Chicken Tikka Masala is one of those recipes that feels fancy but couldn’t be easier. What To Serve with Slow Cooker Chicken Tikka Masala Side Dishes We love serving this delicious Indian-takeout style dish with some Naan Bread for a classic combination. It’s also great with some Instant Pot Brown Rice or Instant Pot Jasmine Rice for a tasty dinner meal. Other Indian Mains This Slow Cooker Chicken Tikka Masala is great alongside other Indian favorites, such as our Easy Indian Creamed Spinach and Rogan Josh. You can also serve it with some Instant Pot Chicken Curry for a delicious Indian spread. Video: Watch Us Make This Recipe Print Slow Cooker Chicken Tikka Masala This Slow-Cooker Chicken Tikka Masala is perfect for busy weekdays when you want an easy, delicious, Indian-inspired meal. Toss it all into your Crock Pot and enjoy. Course MainCuisine IndianDiet Gluten FreeMethod Slow Cooker Prep Time 15 minutes minutesCook Time 2 hours hours 30 minutes minutesTotal Time 2 hours hours 45 minutes minutes Servings 7 Calories 486kcal Author Amy Dong Ingredients2 ½ cups yogurt whole plain, divided12 ounces tomato paste8 cloves garlic minced1 medium onion diced3 tablespoons olive oil3 tablespoons garam masala2 tablespoons ginger freshly peeled and grated2 tablespoons ground cumin1 tablespoon sugar2 teaspoons ground cinnamon2-3 teaspoons ground chili powder2 teaspoons ground coriander2 teaspoons table salt1 teaspoon ground tumeric3 pounds chicken thighs boneless, skinless, cut into 1-inch cubes½ cup cilantro freshly chopped, for serving InstructionsReserve 1 cup of the yogurt and set aside. Place all remaining ingredients, except for the chicken, into the slow cooker. Stir to combine mixture well.Use paper towels to pat-dry all chicken pieces to remove excess moisture. Add chicken to the slow cooker.Cook on low 2 1/2 -3 hours. Gently stir in reserved 1 cup of yogurt and cilantro. Serve over cooked basmati rice. Delicious with naan bread as well. Video Notes The slow-cooker version requires more tomato paste than typical, as the thickness is needed for slow cooking texture. Pat the chicken dry before adding it to the slow cooker. This helps the sauce cling better and keeps the texture from getting watery. Use whole milk yogurt for the best creamy consistency. Low-fat versions can curdle under slow heat. Stir the sauce well before adding the chicken to evenly distribute the spices and tomato paste. If you prefer a thicker sauce, remove the lid for the last 20–30 minutes of cooking to let some liquid evaporate. For extra richness, stir in a splash of cream or coconut milk along with the reserved yogurt at the end. Adjust the chili powder to your spice comfort level. Start mild, then add more heat once the dish is cooked. Freshly grated ginger and minced garlic make a big difference in flavor, so skip the jarred versions if possible. Add the cilantro right before serving to keep its flavor bright and fresh. This dish reheats beautifully. Store leftovers in the fridge for up to 3 days and reheat gently on the stove. This recipe is part of our Chicken Slow Cooker Recipes Collection. We love serving it over some Instant Pot Jasmine Rice or alongside warm Naan Bread for a delicious family meal.   If you enjoyed this recipe, please come back and give it a rating. We hearing from you!  Join our Free Recipe Club and get our newest, best recipes each week! NutritionServing: 1serving | Calories: 486kcal | Carbohydrates: 21g | Protein: 37g | Fat: 35g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 5g | Monounsaturated Fat: 13g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 103mg | Sodium: 498mg | Potassium: 1203mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 7g | Vitamin A: 2974IU | Vitamin C: 100mg | Calcium: 343mg | Iron: 13mg Frequently Asked Questions Do I need to brown the chicken first? No browning is needed for this recipe. The slow cooker does all the work, and the chicken becomes tender while soaking up the flavorful sauce. Can I make this recipe dairy-free? You can. Swap the yogurt for full-fat coconut milk or a dairy-free yogurt alternative. The sauce will be slightly sweeter but still creamy and flavorful. How long does it keep? Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3–4 days. Reheat gently on the stove or in the microwave until warmed through. You can also freeze it for up to 2 months; thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating. More to Cook and Eat Chicken Marsala Recipe – This chicken marsala recipe is made with the most tender chicken and an easy marsala sauce for an indulgent better-for-you recipe! Chicken Shawarma Recipe – This Easy, Healthy Homemade Chicken Shawarma is incredibly tender with big, bold flavors. Happens to be Whole30 and Paleo approved. Try it for dinner… Slow Cooker Teriyaki Chicken – Quick, easy, & so much better than takeout, this slow cooker teriyaki chicken is the best weeknight dish you can prepare in just 10 minutes! Marinated Chicken Kabobs – These Honey Lime Chicken Skewers are sizzling with mouthwatering flavor. They’re sure to be an instant hit at your next cookout.