Slow Cooker Maharaj Indian Grill Butter Chicken Curry

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-06-13 · Updated 2026-06-13

A rich and fragrant butter chicken curry slow-cooked to tender perfection with a blend of Indian spices and creamy tomato sauce. This Indian-inspired curry recipe, ready in about 380 minutes, pairs unsalted butter, onion, finely chopped, garlic cloves, minced for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 520 calories and feeds 6, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. 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 boneless chicken thighs, cut into 1-inch pieces
• 4 tbsp unsalted butter
• 1 large onion, finely chopped
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 tbsp fresh ginger, grated
• 1 cup tomato puree
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 2 tsp garam masala
• 1 tsp ground coriander
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• 1/2 tsp turmeric powder
• 1 tsp red chili powder
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 cup water
• 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: In a large skillet over medium heat, melt 4 tbsp unsalted butter. Add 1 finely chopped large onion and sauté for 5-6 minutes until golden brown.
2. Step 2: Stir in 4 minced garlic cloves and 2 tbsp grated fresh ginger, cooking for 1 minute until fragrant.
3. Step 3: Transfer onion mixture to a slow cooker. Add 2 lbs boneless chicken thighs cut into 1-inch pieces, 1 cup tomato puree, 2 tsp garam masala, 1 tsp ground coriander, 1 tsp ground cumin, 1/2 tsp turmeric powder, 1 tsp red chili powder, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 cup water. Stir to combine.
4. Step 4: Cover and cook on low for 6-7 hours or on high for 3-4 hours until chicken is tender.
5. Step 5: 30 minutes before serving, stir in 1 cup heavy cream and continue cooking uncovered on low to thicken the sauce.
6. Step 6: Garnish with 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro before serving with basmati rice or naan bread.