Healthy Chicken Tikka Masala in Slow Cooker Recipe
User Reviews
4.4
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Prep Time
20 mins
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Cook Time
4 hrs
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Total Time
4 hrs 20 mins
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Servings
6 servings
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Calories
222 kcal
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Course
Main Course
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Cuisine
Indian
Healthy Chicken Tikka Masala in Slow Cooker Recipe
Description
This Healthy Chicken Tikka Masala recipe uses boneless skinless chicken breast cooked slowly in a mix of spices including cumin, garam masala, turmeric, coriander, cardamom, and chili powder combined with crushed tomatoes and coconut milk. The slow cooker method allows the spices and ingredients to blend and intensify over several hours without active attention.
After cooking, a yogurt and cornstarch mixture is tempered and stirred in to thicken and add creaminess without curdling, resulting in a rich sauce that clings to tender chicken pieces. Fresh ginger and garlic introduce aromatic freshness to the dish. Cilantro sprinkled at serving adds a herbal brightness.
This dish is traditionally served over basmati rice to soak up the flavorful sauce. It can be stored in the refrigerator for several days or frozen for longer preservation, with reheating instructions to maintain texture and prevent curdling.
Tempering the yogurt by mixing in warm sauce before combining prevents splitting. The spices can be adjusted for heat and flavor preference, and the use of coconut milk keeps the sauce dairy-free until yogurt is added.
Ingredients
- 1 Tbsp. ginger grated, fresh
- 3 cloves garlic crushed
- 1 cup crushed tomatoes
- 1 cup coconut milk canned, unsweetened
- 1 Tbsp. cumin
- 1 Tbsp. garam masala
- 1 teaspoon Turmeric
- 1 tsp. ground coriander
- 1/2 tsp. cardamom
- 1/2 tablespoon chili powder
- 1 lb. chicken breast cut into bite sized pieces, boneless skinless
- 4 oz. Greek yogurt plain, fat free
- 1 Tbsp. cornstarch
- salt to taste
- 4 Tbsp cilantro fresh, chopped leaves
Instructions
- Combine the ginger, garlic, tomatoes, coconut milk, spices, and chicken in your slow cooker. Cook on high for 4 hours, or on low for 8 hours. Uncover and let cool for ten minutes.
- Stir together the yogurt and cornstarch in a small bowl. Let it sit for 5 minutes to activate the thickeners. Stir a few spoonfuls of the warm Tikka Masala sauce into the yogurt to bring the temperature up and prevent curdling. Pour the yogurt mixture into the slow cooker, stir, then let thicken for 15 minutes. Taste and add salt as needed.
- Serve over basmati rice with a sprinkling of cilantro leaves.
Notes
- Store Chicken Tikka Masala in the refrigerator up to 3-4 days in an airtight container.
- To freeze, use sealed containers and keep for up to 3 months.
- When reheating frozen portions, thaw in the refrigerator and warm gently on the stove or in a microwave, stirring occasionally to prevent curdling.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 6servings
Amount Per Serving
Calories 222 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 1serving | |
| Calories | 222kcal | 11% |
| Carbohydrates | 11g | 4% |
| Protein | 21g | 42% |
| Fat | 11g | 17% |
| Saturated Fat | 8g | 40% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 1g | 6% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 1g | 5% |
| Trans Fat | 0.01g | 1% |
| Cholesterol | 49mg | 16% |
| Sodium | 170mg | 7% |
| Potassium | 606mg | 13% |
| Fiber | 2g | 8% |
| Sugar | 3g | 6% |
| Vitamin A | 357IU | 7% |
| Vitamin C | 6mg | 7% |
| Calcium | 82mg | 8% |
| Iron | 4mg | 22% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
4.4
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