Slow Cooker Chicken Tikka Masala

One day, way back in January 2012, we needed a break from our regular meals. While flipping through a Real Simple magazine, I found this recipe for Chicken Tikka Masala, and Keith agreed to make it.

Try Something New

We had eaten Indian food many times before, while dining out or visiting friends. But this was our first time cooking Indian food, so we were a bit nervous. Fortunately, the recipe was easy to make, and it tasted wonderful.

So, even if you’ve never cooked anything like this before, I highly recommend that you try this!

I broke the ingredients and directions into small sections. to keep the recipe from feeling overwhelming!

Slow Cooker Chicken Tikka Masala

Makes 4 servings   Prep time: 10 min    Cook time: 8 hrs

Ingredients

Chicken A

• 1 15-ounce can crushed tomatoes
• 1/2 cup chopped onion
• 2 tsp minced garlic
• 2 tbsp tomato paste
• 2 tsp garam masala (Indian spice blend)
• 1/2 tsp kosher salt
• 1/4 tsp ground black pepper

Chicken B

• 1.5 lb boneless skinless chicken thighs (about 8)

Chicken C

• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 1 cup long grain rice such as basmati

Cucumber Relish

• 1/2  English cucumber halved and sliced thinly
• 1/4 cup  fresh cilantro leaves
• 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice

Directions

Chicken – Start

1. In a 4- to 6-quart slow cooker, combine all the Chicken A ingredients .
2. Place the chicken thighs on top of the vegetable mixture
3. Cover the slow cooker, and cook until the chicken is tender, on low for 7 to 8 hours or on high for 3 to 4 hours.

Cucumber Relish

• In a small bowl, toss the cucumber and cilantro with the lemon juice and ¼ teaspoon each salt and pepper. Cover and refrigerate for up to 8 hours.

Rice

• Twenty minutes before serving, cook the rice according to the package directions.

Chicken – Finish

• Just before serving, stir the cream into the chicken tikka masala.
• Serve over the cooked rice,  with the cucumber relish on the side.

Photo: Slow Cooker Chicken Tikka Masala

Here’s a photo that I took, the first time we made this delicious dish!

There’s rice at the bottom, with the chicken on top, and cucumber relish at the side.

Warning – If you work from home, like I do, the lovely aroma will make you hungry all day!

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