Set-and-Forget Keto Butter Chicken in Slow Cooker

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-08-03 · Updated 2026-08-03

Classic Indian butter chicken made effortlessly in a slow cooker with tender chicken simmered in a spiced tomato cream sauce. This Indian-inspired keto recipe (low carb), ready in about 380 minutes, pairs chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch pieces, canned crushed tomatoes, heavy cream for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 450 calories and feeds 6, so it slots cleanly into a low-carb week and pairs well with cauliflower rice or roasted green vegetables. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Ingredients

• 2 lbs chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch pieces
• 1 can (14 oz) canned crushed tomatoes
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 4 tbsp butter
• 1 medium onion, finely chopped
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 tbsp ginger, grated
• 2 tbsp garam masala
• 1 tsp ground turmeric
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
• 1 1/2 tsp salt
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped

The slow cooker we’d leave this in all day → Best Slow Cookers in 2026: Top Picks + Buying Guide

Instructions

1. Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add 1 medium finely chopped onion, 4 minced garlic cloves, and 1 tbsp grated ginger; sauté for 5 minutes until softened and fragrant.
2. Step 2: Stir in 2 tbsp garam masala, 1 tsp ground turmeric, 1 tsp ground cumin, and 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper, cooking for 1 minute until the spices release their aroma.
3. Step 3: Transfer the onion and spice mixture to the slow cooker. Add 2 lbs chicken breast pieces, 1 can (14 oz) crushed tomatoes, and 1 1/2 tsp salt; stir gently to combine.
4. Step 4: Cook on low for 6 hours until the chicken is tender and cooked through.
5. Step 5: Stir in 4 tbsp butter and 1 cup heavy cream into the slow cooker, mixing until the butter melts and the sauce is creamy.
6. Step 6: Sprinkle 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro over the butter chicken before serving.