Creamy Low-Carb Slow Cooker Chicken Tikka Masala
A creamy, low-carb chicken tikka masala made effortlessly in a slow cooker, perfect for a flavorful and indulgent dinner without the carbs.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes active, overnight marinating recommended
- Cook Time: 6-7 hours on low or 3-4 hours on high
- Total Time: 6 hours 15 minutes to 7 hours 15 minutes (including marinating)
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Indian
Ingredients
Scale
- 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 cup plain Greek yogurt
- 2 tbsp freshly grated ginger
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tsp garam masala
- 1 tsp ground turmeric
- 1 tsp chili powder (adjust to taste)
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- Juice of half a lemon
- 1 (14 oz) can crushed tomatoes
- 1 cup chicken broth or stock (low sodium preferred)
- 1/2 cup heavy cream or full-fat coconut milk for dairy-free
- 1 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 tbsp olive oil or ghee
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- Salt to taste
- Fresh cilantro for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- In a large bowl, whisk together Greek yogurt, grated ginger, minced garlic, garam masala, turmeric, chili powder, cumin, and lemon juice. Add chicken pieces and toss until fully coated. Cover and refrigerate for at least 15 minutes or overnight for deeper flavor.
- Optional: Heat olive oil or ghee in a skillet over medium-high heat. Sear the marinated chicken pieces in batches until lightly browned on all sides but not fully cooked.
- In the slow cooker, combine crushed tomatoes, chicken broth, tomato paste, smoked paprika, and salt. Stir well.
- Add the seared (or raw) chicken along with any marinade juices into the sauce. Stir gently to combine.
- Cover and cook on low for 6-7 hours or on high for 3-4 hours until chicken is tender and sauce thickened. If sauce is too thin, remove lid during last 30 minutes to reduce.
- About 15 minutes before serving, stir in heavy cream or coconut milk. Adjust seasoning if needed. Warm through without boiling.
- Garnish with fresh cilantro leaves and serve hot, ideally with cauliflower rice or steamed vegetables.
Notes
Marinate chicken overnight for best flavor. Searing chicken before slow cooking adds depth but is optional. Add cream near the end to avoid curdling. Adjust spice levels to taste. Use coconut milk and coconut yogurt for dairy-free version. Sauce can be thickened by reducing uncovered at the end. Store leftovers refrigerated up to 3 days or frozen up to 2 months.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (approxima
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 5
- Sodium: 400
- Fat: 22
- Saturated Fat: 9
- Carbohydrates: 10
- Fiber: 3
- Protein: 30
Keywords: chicken tikka masala, low-carb, slow cooker, creamy curry, keto dinner, Indian recipe, easy dinner, healthy chicken