Slow Cooker Chicken Tikka Masala

This Slow Cooker Chicken Tikka Masala is rich, creamy, and full of warm Indian spices. Tender chicken thighs simmer in a silky tomato sauce for true restaurant flavor with almost no effort. Perfect for weeknights, meal prep, or takeout-at-home nights!

Slow Cooker Chicken Tikka Masala

This Slow Cooker Chicken Tikka Masala is rich, creamy, restaurant-quality comfort food made right in the Crock Pot! Tender chicken thighs simmer in a bold, aromatic tomato-based sauce infused with garam masala, ginger, garlic, and warm Indian spices. It’s simple, hands-off, and tastes like it came straight from your favorite Indian restaurant! Perfect for busy weeknights or easy meal prep.

Slow cooking this Chicken Tikka Masala gives the sauce time to slowly deepen and develop, letting the ginger, garlic, tomatoes, and warm spices meld into a rich, ultra-smooth authentic flavor.

If you love Indian takeout, this slow cooker version delivers the same deep flavor with minimal effort. Just marinate the chicken, blend the sauce, and let the Crock Pot do all the work.

What Is Chicken Tikka Masala?

Chicken Tikka Masala is one of the most popular Indian dishes worldwide. Traditionally, marinated chicken is grilled in a tandoor oven, then simmered in a creamy, spiced tomato sauce made with garam masala, ginger, garlic, and Kashmiri chili.

Although inspired by traditional North Indian flavors, Chicken Tikka Masala as we know it today is widely believed to have been created in the United Kingdom by Indian chefs working in British curry houses. It blends classic Indian cooking techniques, marinated chicken and warm spices, with a rich, creamy tomato sauce that catered to British tastes. The result is a beloved dish that feels both familiar and exotic, and has become one of the most popular Indian-style curries around the world.

This Crock Pot version keeps all that classic flavor but simplifies the process for home cooks. Instead of grilling, the chicken simmers low and slow in its marinade and sauce, becoming incredibly tender while absorbing all those bold spices. The final result is buttery, aromatic, slightly smoky, and absolutely irresistible.

Why You’ll Love This Slow Cooker Chicken Tikka Masala

• True restaurant flavor with simple ingredients
• Mostly hands-off Crock Pot cooking
• Customizable spice level
• Rich, creamy, aromatic sauce
• Family-friendly and freezer-friendly
• Naturally gluten-free

It’s cozy, comforting, flavorful, and perfect for any night you’re craving takeout without leaving the house.

Specialty Ingredients (and Easy Substitutions!)

Kashmiri Chili Powder
This deep red chili powder adds both color and mild heat. You can find it here on Amazon or in a local Indian grocery store. If you can’t find it:

• Use ½ the amount of standard chili powder
• OR a mix of paprika + chili powder

Ghee
Ghee has a rich, nutty flavor that adds depth. Substitutes:

• Butter
• Avocado or vegetable oil

Heavy Cream
For a lighter or dairy-free version, swap:

• Coconut cream
• Half-and-half

Do I Have to Puree the Sauce?

Not technically, but you need to if you want the signature silky texture.

Traditional chicken tikka masala has a smooth, velvety sauce. Blending the sauce after cooking:

• Creates an ultra-creamy, restaurant-style texture
• Helps the spices fully combine
• Prevents chunky tomatoes or onions

Use an immersion blender right in the Crock Pot, or let the sauce cool and purée in a blender. It’s an extra step, but absolutely worth it.

Variations on Slow Cooker Chicken Tikka Masala

• Use Chicken Breasts: Swap thighs for breasts (but note: thighs stay more tender).
• Make It Spicy: Add extra serrano, cayenne, or double the Kashmiri chili.
• Make It Mild: Leave out the serranos and use paprika in place of chili powder.
• Make It Dairy-Free: Use coconut yogurt for the marinade and coconut cream in the sauce.
• Add Veggies: Stir in cooked peas, cauliflower, or spinach at the end.
• Meal Prep Version: This dish reheats beautifully and flavors deepen overnight.

How to Serve Chicken Tikka Masala

Chicken Tikka Masala is all about the rich, creamy tomato sauce, so it’s best served with something that soaks it up. In most American homes and restaurants, it’s served with steamed basmati rice and soft naan, which are perfect for scooping and dipping and some fresh cilantro and a squeeze of lemon juice for brightness.

Indian meals are often served with contrasting elements. Warm curry, a cool yogurt side, fresh herbs, and bread for scooping. These additions balance the richness of the tikka masala beautifully.

More Easy Slow Cooker Chicken Recipes You'll Love

• Crockpot Pineapple Chicken - Sweet, tangy, and savory! Tender slow-cooked chicken simmers in a pineapple-soy glaze that’s perfect over rice for an easy weeknight dinner.
• Crockpot Southwest Chicken Chili - A hearty, flavor-packed chili loaded with chicken, beans, corn, tomatoes, and warm Southwest spices. Cozy, comforting, and hands-off.
• Crockpot Mississippi Chicken - A juicy, buttery, tangy Mississippi-style chicken made with ranch, pepperoncini, and savory seasonings. Shreds perfectly for sandwiches, rice, or potatoes.
• Crockpot Bourbon Chicken - Tender chicken slow-cooked in a sweet, sticky bourbon-soy sauce with hints of garlic and brown sugar, just like your favorite mall food court classic.
• Crockpot Chicken Tacos - The easiest shredded chicken taco filling! Juicy, seasoned chicken cooks in salsa and spices for flavorful, ready-to-serve tacos with almost no prep.

Slow Cooker Chicken Tikka Masala Video