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Slow Cooker Indian Chicken Curry Recipe - Crock Pot Recipe

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Crock-Pot or Slow Cooker Chicken Curry

This slow cooker Indian chicken curry recipe, aka crockpot chicken curry, is a simple, easy and effortless recipe with only ten minutes of hands-on work and a few hours of slow cooking. This beautiful deep red curry is flavored with exotic Indian spices and can be served over a bowl of rice or with a simple crusty bread.

This slow cooker Indian chicken curry recipe will surprise you because it's so simple, easy and effortless. Ten minutes of hands-on work and three hours unsupervised slow cooking will give you this beautiful deep red curry you can enjoy over a bowl of rice or just simple crusty bread. 
Slow Cooker Indian Chicken Curry - Crock Pot Indian Chicken Curry

The Secret to a Great Indian Curry

Good chicken curry is like an amazing treat!! My kid's favorite. It's the color, the flavor, the aroma, it's .... well everything.

I have a few friends who love Indian food and have been asking me to make a slow cooker version. So this post is especially for those who love the slow cooker.

The secret to Indian cooking is not just in the spices but how you bring life into those spices. The right blend and the right cooking technique can make a huge difference from curry to curry.

Many people associate the slow cooker with throwing ingredients into the pot and let it cook itself out.

Nah!! With me, it's always about taking it a step further. So, that's what I'm going to show you with this slow cooker Indian chicken curry.  Can you see that color? That comes from using this method. I think you will love it. After all, we eat with our eyes first - don't we? It's probably that color that got you to this post. And it will the be the aroma that will have you making this over and over again - I promise.

This slow cooker Indian chicken curry recipe will surprise you because it's so simple, easy and effortless. Ten minutes of hands-on work and three hours unsupervised slow cooking will give you this beautiful deep red curry you can enjoy over a bowl of rice or just simple crusty bread. 
Slow Cooker Indian Chicken Curry - Crock Pot Indian Chicken Curry

Ingredients and substitutes (Save/Pin)

  • Chicken Thighs/Legs -  when cooking in a slow cooker it's best to use cuts that will endure the long cooking. Personally, I do not like using breasts for curries or slow cooking. And yet, you can use chicken breast and reduce the cooking time to 2 hours on high. Today, I have chicken things, skinless, bone-in.
  • Spice mix - coriander, cumin, garam masala have become common spices to have in every kitchen. These can be used in Asian, middle eastern and sometimes even Mediterranean cooking. Curry powder is usually a blend of common Indian spices and can be used as a substitute. So if you have curry powder and prefer to use that instead of buying any of these then.... add 2 tbsp of curry powder and 1 tsp of smoked sweet paprika instead of the spices mix.
  • Yogurt - I love adding yogurt to my chicken curry but if you need a non-dairy or parve' chicken curry -please substitute the yogurt with the same amount coconut milk.
  • Cherry tomatoes - You can use regular chopped tomatoes of course - I love the sweetness and color that cherry tomatoes add to the curry.
This slow cooker Indian chicken curry recipe will surprise you because it's so simple, easy and effortless. Ten minutes of hands-on work and three hours unsupervised slow cooking will give you this beautiful deep red curry you can enjoy over a bowl of rice or just simple crusty bread. 
Slow Cooker Indian Chicken Curry - Crock Pot Indian Chicken Curry

Shred the chicken - Slow-cooked Indian Chicken Curry

Often cooking in a slow cooker means the chicken will fall off the bones. To make it easier for the kids and us to eat. I usually pick each piece out, use two forks to take the bone which usually just falls off very easily. That way the kids get only chicken and gravy, no bones. The bones do add so much more in terms of flavor; just not fun when you get them in the fork. I know!

This slow cooker Indian chicken curry recipe will surprise you because it's so simple, easy and effortless. Ten minutes of hands-on work and three hours unsupervised slow cooking will give you this beautiful deep red curry you can enjoy over a bowl of rice or just simple crusty bread.
Slow Cooker Indian Chicken Curry - Crock Pot Indian Chicken Curry

Slow-cooker or Stovetop

I am showing you this recipe with the slow cooker. And yet, it is not absolutely necessary that you cook it in a slow cooker. I've been using my slow cooker for less than a year now. Before then I made this on the stovetop. And it's much quicker too!

Below I have given you the alternate method which is stovetop cooking. If you cook it on the stovetop on medium heat you will need only 45 minutes until the chicken is cooked thru.

This slow cooker Indian chicken curry recipe will surprise you because it's so simple, easy and effortless. Ten minutes of hands on work and three hours unsupervised slow cooking will give you this beautiful deep red curry you can enjoy over a bowl of rice or just simple crusty bread. 
Slow Cooker Indian Chicken Curry - Crock Pot Indian Chicken Curry

Useful Tips and Tools

  • Use a heavy bottom pot when cooking with spices. This helps prevent the spices from burning. Spices need to be cooked well in a little water and the heavy bottom skillet also works best to maintain even heat. 
  • A sharp knife and chopping board for cutting the chicken. Always use a separate chopping board just for meat or poultry, and another for vegetables. 
  • Also, a wooden spoon works best to stir curries. And yet, avoid using your favorite wooden spoon as some spices may lend their natural dye to the wooden spoons. Wooden spoons are porous. 
  • And a food processor or hand blender is what you will need to blend everything. Avoid adding too much water when blending because onions have lots of natural juices that work almost enough. 

Nothing beats a good chicken curry over a bowl of steaming hot rice. And yet, I also love dipping my crusty bread in a good bowl of curry! YUP! You can keep the chicken just given me my curry and crusty bread and I'm in heaven.

This slow cooker Indian chicken curry recipe will surprise you because it's so simple, easy and effortless. Ten minutes of hands-on work and three hours unsupervised slow cooking will give you this beautiful deep red curry you can enjoy over a bowl of rice or just simple crusty bread. 
Slow Cooker Indian Chicken Curry - Crock Pot Indian Chicken Curry

How to Make A Slow Cooker Indian Chicken Curry, Crock-Pot Indian Chicken Curry (Save/Pin)

Cook chicken in the slow cooker/crockpot

  • Clean, wash and drain chicken.
  • Season with salt and pepper and set aside.
  • In a food processor grind onions, ginger, garlic to a smooth paste.
  • Add 1/4 cup water and spice mix powders and blend some more.
  • Heat two tablespoons of oil in a frying pan.
  • Add the spice marinade and cook on medium to low for about 3 to 5 minutes until fragrant.
  • Place seasoned chicken in the bottom of a slow cooker.
  • Pour the sauteed marinade over it.
  • Add yogurt and the can of cherry tomatoes.
  • Season with salt and pepper.
  • Give it a good stir.
  • On low for 5 hours.
  • Or on high for 3 hours.
  • Lastly, add chopped cilantro and lemon juice - Stir.
  • Taste and adjust seasoning.

Cook chicken on the stovetop

  • Clean, wash and drain chicken.
  • Season with salt and pepper and set aside.
  • In a food processor grind onions, ginger, garlic to a smooth paste.
  • Add 1/4 cup water and spice mix powders and blend some more.
  • Heat two tablespoons of oil in a frying pan.
  • Add the spice marinade and cook on medium to low for about 3 to 5 minutes until fragrant.
    Then add the chicken
  • followed by the yogurt and the can of cherry tomatoes.
  • Season with salt and pepper.
  • Give it a good stir.
  • Cook on medium heat for 45 minutes until the chicken is cooked thru.
  • Lastly, add chopped cilantro and lemon juice.
  • Taste and adjust seasoning.

What do you serve with this slow-cooker Indian Chicken Curry?

This curry goes well with any Indian bread, such as chapati or naan. Our family's favorite is garlic butter naan or vegetable pilaf. And when I'm looking for a low carb option, I eat cauliflower rice. Since the no-fuss cauliflower rice works great for me in place of steamed rice. My kids also love the turmeric cauliflower rice or my mustard dill cauliflower rice. 

A garlic butter naan is a variation on the classic Indian naan recipe that is often accompanied with an Indian meal.  This simple, easy and effortless recipe makes a deliciously soft and chewy garlic butter naan that just melts in the mouth.Nigella Garlic Butter Naan Recipe
This whole wheat sweet potato chapati or flatbread is so versatile you can have it for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. This simple, easy and effortless recipe makes the softest sweet potato flatbread ever. Combined with onions and herbs means you can have it on its own or as a bread with your main course.Sweet potato chapati, sweet potato paratha
Cauliflower rice is the recent trend in the low crab and gluten free diet. These three simple, easy and effortless methods to making your own will have you addicted to healthy and nutritious homemade cauliflower rice even if you are not on any particular diet. Making homemade takes no more than five minutes.Homemade Cauliflower Rice Steamed Cauliflower Rice (18)
This one pot vegetable rice is kids absolute favorite dish because it's lightly flavored with just the right amount of vegetables. This simple, easy and effortless recipe can be served as a main course on its own for a light meal or as an accompaniment to the main course. The best part is, it takes only 15 minutes to cook so quick one pot meal is a possibility.Quick One Pot Vegetable Rice Recipe

Frequently asked questions

Can I use curry powder instead of this spice mix?

Yes, you sure can. If you don't have the spices on hand, you can use about 2 tbsp of curry powder and 1 tsp of smoked paprika. The smoked sweet paprika will give a beautiful color to this quick chicken curry.

Can I use beef instead of chicken for this recipe?

Absolutely. This recipe will also work with 800 grams (approx 2 lbs) of beef. See my recipe for slow-cooked Indian Beef Curry

Can I make this curry on the stovetop?

Yes, you can. In fact, I do have a few chicken curry recipes that you can try. Quick chicken curry in 15 minutes or Chicken curry with just 6 ingredients.

Can I make this in an instant pot? Can I make this in a pressure cooker?

Yes, I have shown you how to make an Instant Pot chicken curry or Pressure Cooker chicken curry.

Can I omit the yogurt in this chicken curry?

Absolutely, you can make this without the yogurt or you can use coconut milk instead as well.

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This slow cooker Indian chicken curry recipe will surprise you because it's so simple, easy and effortless. Ten minutes of hands on work and three hours unsupervised slow cooking will give you this beautiful deep red curry you can enjoy over a bowl of rice or just simple crusty bread. 
slow cooker chicken curry, crockpot chicken curry, easy slow-cooked curry,
This slow cooker Indian chicken curry recipe will surprise you because it's so simple, easy and effortless. Ten minutes of hands on work and three hours unsupervised slow cooking will give you this beautiful deep red curry you can enjoy over a bowl of rice or just simple crusty bread. 

Slow Cooker Indian Chicken Curry aka Crock Pot Chicken Curry

Author: Veena Azmanov
4.94 from 33 votes
Print Pin Rate
Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 3 hrs
Total Time: 3 hrs 10 mins
Calories: 237kcal
Adjust Servings Here: 6 servings

Description

This slow cooker Indian chicken curry recipe, aka crockpot chicken curry, is a simple, easy and effortless recipe with only ten minutes of hands-on work and a few hours of slow cooking. This beautiful deep red curry is flavored with exotic Indian spices and can be served over a bowl of rice or with a simple crusty bread.
ADJUST SERVINGS HERE - 6 servings

Ingredients

  • 2 lbs (1 kg) Chicken thighs//legs skinless bone-in
  • 2 cups (300 g) Canned cherry tomatoes 1 can
  • 1 cup (240 ml) Yogurt
  • 1/4 cup Cilantro chopped
  • 1 cup Onion chopped
  • 2 tbsp Garlic minced
  • 2 tbsp Ginger grated
  • 3 tbsp Canola oil
  • 1 tbsp Lemon juice
  • 1/2 tsp Salt
  • 1/2 tsp Pepper

Spice Mix - (see note above to use curry powder as a substitute)

  • 2 tbsp Coriander powder
  • 1 tbsp Cumin powder
  • 1/2 tsp Turmeric powder
  • 1/2 tsp Garam masala
  • 1 tsp Chilly powder
  • 2 tbsp Smoked sweet paprika

Instructions

COOK CHICKEN IN THE SLOW COOKER/CROCKPOT

  • Clean, wash and drain chicken.
  • Season with salt and pepper and set aside.
  • In a food processor grind onions, ginger, garlic to a smooth paste.
  • Add 1/4 cup water and spice mix powders and blend some more.
  • Heat two tablespoons of oil in a frying pan.
  • Add the spice marinade and cook on medium to low for about 3 to 5 minutes until fragrant.
  • Place seasoned chicken in the bottom of a slow cooker.
  • Pour the sauteed marinade over it.
  • Add yogurt and the can of cherry tomatoes.
  • Season with salt and pepper.
  • Give it a good stir.
  • On low for 5 hours.
  • Or on high for 3 hours.
  • Lastly, add chopped cilantro and lemon juice – Stir.
  • Taste and adjust seasoning.

COOK CHICKEN ON THE STOVETOP

  • Clean, wash and drain chicken.
  • Season with salt and pepper and set aside.
  • In a food processor grind onions, ginger, garlic to a smooth paste.
  • Add 1/4 cup water and spice mix powders and blend some more.
  • Heat two tablespoons of oil in a frying pan.
  • Add the spice marinade and cook on medium to low for about 3 to 5 minutes until fragrant.
  • Then add the chicken
  • followed by the yogurt and the can of cherry tomatoes.
  • Season with salt and pepper.
  • Give it a good stir.
  • Cook on medium heat for 45 minutes until the chicken is cooked thru.
  • Lastly, add chopped cilantro and lemon juice.
  • Taste and adjust seasoning.

Recipe Notes

 

Featured Recipe below - Quick and Easy Chicken Curry in 15 Mins

Equipment

Slow cooker
Cutting boards
Kitchen Knife
Spatula
Nutrition Information
Calories: 237kcalCarbohydrates: 9.7gProtein: 15.3gFat: 15.1gSaturated Fat: 3.5gPolyunsaturated Fat: 12.3gMonounsaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gCholesterol: 77mgSodium: 308mgPotassium: 0mgFiber: 0.6gSugar: 2.5gVitamin A: 0IUVitamin C: 0mgCalcium: 0mgIron: 0mg

The nutrition information and metric conversion are calculated automatically. I cannot guarantee its accuracy. If this data is important to you please verify with your trusted nutrition calculator. Thank you

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Author - Veena Azmanov

Veena Azmanov

Veena is the author of three blogs - Veena Azmanov, Cake Decorating Tutorials, and East Indian Recipes.
She writes about cooking, baking, desserts, and cake decorating. Being a professional cake decorator and food blogger for over ten years she has been featured in many online magazines and publications around the world. On her blogs, you will find delicious, easy and practical recipes often with instructional videos and tutorials for the home cook.

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    Recipe Rating




  1. Susan Healy

    Do you cook the chicken with the skin on?

    Reply

    • Veena Azmanov

      No, Susan. It is skinless, bone-in. Thanks

      Reply

  2. Emese

    I love curry dishes. The more I try the spicer I like them. I am adding this to my must-have list. Thanks

    Reply

    • Veena Azmanov

      Thanks, Emese.let me know how it was if you try it

      Reply

  3. Amy

    This curry looks fantastic! I bet it tastes amazing

    Reply

    • Veena Azmanov

      It was delicious, Amy

      Reply

  4. Michelle

    Wow, that colour is so vibrant! I'm with you I love nothing better than dipping some bread into curry! I'm always on the lookout for new curry recipes, can't wait to try this one.

    Reply

    • Veena Azmanov

      Thanks, Michelle. I love curry with crusty bread

      Reply

  5. Sapana

    So much flavor and I love the spices you used to make this curry!

    Reply

    • Veena Azmanov

      Thanks, Sapana

      Reply

  6. Liz

    This looks and sounds amazing! I'm definitely going to bookmark. I need to make more crockpot stuff because I am so busy!

    Reply

    • Veena Azmanov

      Thanks, Liz. Yes we love this curry

      Reply

  7. Danika

    I made my first chicken curry yesterday in the slow cooker! I will be making this again soon. My family has not been able to strop raving about it. I cannot tell you how good this is. Thank you for sharing all your wonderful recipes

    Reply

    • Veena Azmanov

      Thank you, Dankia!! So happy to hear you had success with this recipe and your family loved it so much. Thank you for coming back to write this feedback, appreciate it very much. Always a great feeling to read such success and positive comments. Thank you.

      Reply

  8. Neville

    Made this last week and it was one of the best Indian curries I ever ate. So easy to make. I never know making Indian food at home was possible for me but I did it. Thank you .

    Reply

    • Veena Azmanov

      Thank you Neville. So happy to hear that you had success with this recipe and loved it so much. Thank you so much for coming back to write this feedback. Appreciate it so much.

      Reply

  9. Chuck Euresti

    Thank you for this recipe. I love how easy it is to make. Everybody loved it so much. I'm definitely making this again.

    Reply

    • Veena Azmanov

      Thank you Chuck. So happy to hear everybody loved it.

      Reply

  10. Veronica

    I love curries and the Indian kitchen, such colorful flavors with all the spices.I am new to slow cooking and like how I don't have to spend all day in the kitchen. Your recipe is great, my family loved the curry. Thank you for your inspiration...

    Reply

    • Veena Azmanov

      Thank you so much Veronica. So happy to hear you tried and enjoyed it. Always very motivating to get good feedback. Thanks so much. Have a wonderful day

      Reply

  11. Amanda

    Sounds amazing! Thanks for the recipe. I am going to try to introduce the less spicy curries to my kid. She is finally getting into handling a little spice. I loved curry when I was pregnant so I have high hopes!

    Reply

    • Veena Azmanov

      Thank you Amanda. My kids so eat these curries. They aren't very spicy. Yes you need to start with much less so their taste buds learn to appreciate it slowly.

      Reply

  12. Swathi

    This is not only delicious but also you made it easy by putting everything in the slow cooker, your spice mix sounds perfect love the color .My kids love chicken curry. only need a bowl or rice or few chapathi.

    Reply

    • Veena Azmanov

      That is so true Swathi.. with curry like this a bowl of rice would be a treat - Thanks

      Reply

  13. Gloria @ Homemade & Yummy

    We are curry lovers. If you can make it in the slow cooker, even better. This would be perfect to make a huge batch and put some away in the freezer for when things get hectic again in the fall. Love the flavour profile. Will tuck this away for a rainy day...and believe me we have had our share these days.

    Reply

    • Veena Azmanov

      Thank you Gloria.. I hear ya. As a working mom I have one too many hectic days. I think this will do great for those days.

      Reply

  14. Sarah

    I've never made curry in a slow cooker and am always looking for new slow cooker recipes! This is great!

    Reply

    • Veena Azmanov

      Thank you Sarah. I think you will love this

      Reply

  15. Jessica (Swanky Recipes)

    This week has been a busy week with summer events and schedules happening. I used the crock pot make a roast a few days ago and just loved that it lasted awhile. I can't wait to use the slow cooker for this chicken curry recipe this week now, yum!

    Reply

    • Veena Azmanov

      So true Jessica. It's really easy to use the slow cooker of busy days. I love making this one in the slow cooker.Works wonderfully and the aroma in the last two hours just makes you more hungry.

      Reply

  16. Marisa Franca @ All Our Way

    I'm so glad you posted this curry recipe. I love purchasing spices and then I look for recipes where I can use them. I have several jars of curry -- and I've been wanting a good recipe. The chicken curry looks so delicious. We are always wanting to do something different with out chicken -- this is it!!!

    Reply

    • Veena Azmanov

      Awesome Marisa. Now you can use them in a few of the Indian recipes I have here on the blog.

      Reply

  17. Molly Kumar

    Veena, the colors are GORGEOUS in your slow cooker Indian chicken curry!! I would totally gorge on these with some hot rotis. Thanks for sharing the tips on cooking the meat in slow cooker as I'm very new to slow cooker cooking and I love using cherry tomatoes in curries for the same reason 🙂 A true #comfortfood recipe !

    Reply

    • Veena Azmanov

      Thank you Molly - Isn't it! I love a good color on my chicken curry. And I'm so enjoying making chicken curry in the slow cooker. I love cherry tomatoes in my curries.. I think it's so pretty too!

      Reply

  18. Pam

    I love curry, it's such a bright and flavorful dish. Being able to make this recipe in the slow cooker and not heat up the house is great.

    Reply

    • Veena Azmanov

      Thank you Pam that is so true.. Slow cooker for this dish works a treat

      Reply

  19. Kylee from Kylee Cooks

    I'm all about slow cooking in the summer! Curries do so well with such a long cook time, too. Imagining the smells and deliciousness coming from your kitchen!

    Reply

    • Veena Azmanov

      Same here Kylee. I love using the slow cooker in summer so I don't have to spend time in the kitchen.

      Reply
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