It’s cold outside, and you don’t want to spend hours cooking in the kitchen. That is why slow cooker Chicken Tikka Masala is the perfect dish for a chilly evening. It’s easy to make and best of all, it doesn’t require you to stand over the stove for hours at a time! To see how to cook this delicious dish in your own kitchen, keep reading.
What is a slow cooker Chicken Tikka Masala
This delicious dish combines tender chicken with creamy tomatoes, aromatic spices and fresh herbs. It’s one of the few dishes you can buy in a restaurant that is also incredibly easy to make at home. The slow cooker makes it even simpler; all you need to do is cook up some basmati rice and blanche some baby new potatoes—and you’ve got a meal that tastes just like it came from the most popular Indian restaurant in your city.
What makes slow cooker Chicken Tikka Masala so good? At first bite, you’ll notice how silky the sauce is and how rich the flavors are—without adding too much oil or fat! And even though it’s low-calorie and low-fat, it tastes like it came straight from a restaurant kitchen.
Why is this dish perfect for a cold evening?
Chicken Tikka Masala is a rich yet creamy Indian dish that’s the perfect thing to make when you don’t want to think about what to serve for dinner. It comes together quickly and easily and requires very little prep work, so you can relax while it cooks in your kitchen. There’s no need to hover over the stove or run to the store when you’re already snowed in. You can make it while snuggling up with a nice book and still have time to watch your favorite show afterwards!
What makes this dish healthy? Chicken is one of the most popular lean meats out there, making this dish low on both fat and calories. In fact, most of the calories in this dish come from complex carbohydrates like tomatoes, rice and spices. These are responsible for that satiating feeling you get after a big meal!
What Traditional spices used in a Chicken Tikka recipe
Traditional chicken tikka recipes use a few spices, but feel free to experiment with the amount you choose. You can also add different spices or herbs to mix things up a bit: Garam Masala—a spice blend that adds heat and flavor. It typically contains cinnamon, cloves, cardamom, nutmeg and cumin; Chaat Masala—a blend of salt, semolina, cumin and other spices that’s often added to roasted vegetables or meat. It adds a tangy and spicy flavor; Red chili powder—if you want more heat in your dish, try adding this spice blend to amp up the spiciness. Most recipes include paprika, red chilies, cumin and coriander.
How to make the best slow cooker Chicken Tikka Masala every time
Here’s how to make an amazing slow cooker Chicken Tikka Masala every time:
- Prepare the chicken and marinade the chicken in the yogurt and the spice, add the yogurt to a bowl, add the Turmeric, Ground Coriander, Garam Masala, Paprika and the Cumin Seeds, add the juice of half a lime and let it sit for 1 hour.
- Dice the Onion, and slice the chili, add to the slow cooker. Add the Ginger and Garlic puree as well as the tomato puree.
- Then add the chicken stock pot and chop the coriander and add.
- Place the marinaded chicken on top, along with the chopped tomatoes, place the lid on top and cook for 6-8 hours.
Here’s the full recipe:
Why is yogurt used in Chicken Tikka Masala
Yogurt is what makes this dish so creamy. Chicken Tikka Masala is not a complex Indian recipe, but it does have many classic ingredients: fresh ginger and garlic, cumin seeds, tomato puree, turmeric powder and garam masala—to name a few! You can alter the amount of spice that you put in the dish, but the yogurt is an ingredient that cannot be left out.
You’re going to love this slow cooker Chicken Tikka Masala. It’s flavorful and hearty and perfect for a cold night. Serve it over rice or with naan bread, and you’ve got dinner ready in no time!
Slow cooker Chicken Tikka Masala is a rich yet creamy Indian dish that’s the perfect thing to make when you don’t want to think about what to serve for dinner. It comes together quickly and easily and requires very little prep work, so you can relax while it cooks in your kitchen. There’s no need to hover over the stove or stand by an oven – just set out some rice and naan bread, sit back with a good book, pour yourself a glass of wine, turn on Netflix (or whatever takes your fancy) and let this delicious slow cooker chicken tikka masala simmer in the slow cooker until ready!