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You can find pretty much every kind of food in San Salvador: American, Chinese, Mexican, Vietnamese. Some of it is “good for El Salvador,” and some of it is good, period. There is a new(ish) Indian restaurant in San Salvador, Swagat El Salvador , which has delicious cuisine prepared by Indian chefs. It could compete against any Indian restaurant in DC.

Despite this, I’ve been wanting to make butter chicken at home. I’ve already found my favorite homemade chicken curry recipe . So I searched the interwebs and concocted a pretty decent butter chicken if I do say so myself by combining elements of a couple different recipes.

Slow cooker butter chicken.

Naturally, my Crock Pot features prominently in this recipe. A slow cooker is the perfect cooking method for really letting the flavors and spices — curry powder, garam masala and tandoori masala, among others — do their work.

And even though this butter chicken recipe really only needs to cook for 5-6 hours on low, it could be prepared on a weekday morning before work and left on the lowest low setting (10 hours on my Crock Pot) for an easy (and tasty!) weeknight dinner. There is a little bit of stovetop cooking required, but total pre-slow cooker prep and cook time is under 15 minutes.

I did have to invest in a random spice purchase (tandoori masala), something I generally don’t like to do unless I think I’m going to use it a lot or be able to use it for multiple recipes. Luckily you can buy practically anything online and we are loyal Amazon Prime customers.

Everything else I had on hand or was able to find at the local supermarket. And I think it’s safe to say that I will be making this recipe at least a few more times before we leave El Salvador.

Slow Cooker Butter Chicken

Prep Time: 15 minutes Cook Time: 4-6 hours on low Yield: 6 servings

Ingredients

2 tbsp butter

2 tbsp vegetable oil

1 lb. boneless skinless chicken thighs or breasts, cut into pieces

1 onion, diced

3 garlic cloves, minced

2 tsp curry powder

1/2 tsp cayenne pepper (I used 1 full teaspoon and found it was a bit too spicy)

1 tsp garam masala

2 tsp tandoori masala

1 6 oz. can tomato paste

1 8 oz. can tomato sauce

1 14 oz. can coconut milk

1 cup plain yogurt + a couple dollops for garnish

salt to taste

cilantro to garnish

Directions

Melt butter and vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Stir in onion, garlic and chicken (I used chicken thighs but I think chicken breast would be healthier and just as good given that it has to stew in the sauce for so long). Cook about 10 minutes, until onion is soft.

Stir in curry powder, cayenne pepper, garam masala, tandoori masala and tomato paste and mix until smooth, just a couple minutes.

Pour into slow cooker and add tomato sauce, coconut milk and yogurt. Stir. Cook on medium-low 4-6 hours or low 6-8 hours. (I originally had mine on the low 8-hour setting but my Crock Pot gets pretty hot so after about two hours I reduced it to the 10-hour setting. In total it cooked for about 5 hours and then I set it to warm while I prepared some rice and a vegetable side dish.)

Serve over rice.

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Megan April 7, 2014 at 3:58 pm This was absolutely the best homemade indian dish I have had. We love indian food and I had almost given up trying to make it at home. This was a huge hit !!! Reply ↓ lavieoverseas Post author April 8, 2014 at 9:42 pm Thank you! I’m glad you liked it. It’s super-easy too. 🙂 Reply ↓

This was absolutely the best homemade indian dish I have had. We love indian food and I had almost given up trying to make it at home. This was a huge hit !!!

lavieoverseas Post author April 8, 2014 at 9:42 pm Thank you! I’m glad you liked it. It’s super-easy too. 🙂 Reply ↓

Thank you! I’m glad you liked it. It’s super-easy too. 🙂

Alida June 13, 2014 at 2:59 pm I can’t seem to find tandoori masala. Can I just add more garam masala? Or should I substitute it with something else? Thanks. Reply ↓ lavieoverseas Post author June 15, 2014 at 3:03 pm Hm, I’m not sure. I’ve only made it with tandoori masala. I think it’s important to the recipe because it’s a different kind of spice and gives it (along with the tomato) that reddish sauce. But I say give it a try! I’m sure it will still be good. Good luck! 🙂 Reply ↓

I can’t seem to find tandoori masala. Can I just add more garam masala? Or should I substitute it with something else?

Thanks.

lavieoverseas Post author June 15, 2014 at 3:03 pm Hm, I’m not sure. I’ve only made it with tandoori masala. I think it’s important to the recipe because it’s a different kind of spice and gives it (along with the tomato) that reddish sauce. But I say give it a try! I’m sure it will still be good. Good luck! 🙂 Reply ↓

Hm, I’m not sure. I’ve only made it with tandoori masala. I think it’s important to the recipe because it’s a different kind of spice and gives it (along with the tomato) that reddish sauce. But I say give it a try! I’m sure it will still be good. Good luck! 🙂

Barbara June 26, 2014 at 6:43 pm Sooooooooooooooo good! Thanks!! Reply ↓ lavieoverseas Post author June 26, 2014 at 11:27 pm You are very welcome! Glad you enjoyed it. 😀 Reply ↓

Sooooooooooooooo good! Thanks!!

lavieoverseas Post author June 26, 2014 at 11:27 pm You are very welcome! Glad you enjoyed it. 😀 Reply ↓

You are very welcome! Glad you enjoyed it. 😀

Adele August 21, 2014 at 10:34 pm Does the sauce start off a little sour? I followed the recipe exactly but it has a sour taste, can I add anything to fix it? Thanks! Reply ↓ lavieoverseas Post author August 22, 2014 at 10:11 am Hm, I don’t think it has a sour taste. I’m not sure what would cause it, maybe the yogurt? You could try adjusting the quantity and seeing if that helps. Reply ↓

Does the sauce start off a little sour? I followed the recipe exactly but it has a sour taste, can I add anything to fix it? Thanks!

lavieoverseas Post author August 22, 2014 at 10:11 am Hm, I don’t think it has a sour taste. I’m not sure what would cause it, maybe the yogurt? You could try adjusting the quantity and seeing if that helps. Reply ↓

Hm, I don’t think it has a sour taste. I’m not sure what would cause it, maybe the yogurt? You could try adjusting the quantity and seeing if that helps.

Tariah September 19, 2014 at 12:57 am This was great!!! It’s so so much like my friend’s family recipe. (I did add two bay leaves) Next time I make it.. (And I definitely will).. I think I might add a few cloves as well. Thanks so much for sharing this recipe! Reply ↓ lavieoverseas Post author September 19, 2014 at 9:15 am I’m glad you liked it! I will keep in mind adding a couple bay leaves next time I make it. Let me know how the cloves turn out! 🙂 Reply ↓

This was great!!! It’s so so much like my friend’s family recipe. (I did add two bay leaves) Next time I make it.. (And I definitely will).. I think I might add a few cloves as well. Thanks so much for sharing this recipe!

lavieoverseas Post author September 19, 2014 at 9:15 am I’m glad you liked it! I will keep in mind adding a couple bay leaves next time I make it. Let me know how the cloves turn out! 🙂 Reply ↓

I’m glad you liked it! I will keep in mind adding a couple bay leaves next time I make it. Let me know how the cloves turn out! 🙂

Peggy Swift September 21, 2014 at 11:58 pm Just made this. OMG it’s good. Makes a lot of sauce, which is great, but I think I’ll put a little more chicken in next time. Tastes as good as the best Indian restaurant I’ve had. Thank you, thank you, thank you!!! Reply ↓ lavieoverseas Post author September 22, 2014 at 12:32 pm I’m glad to hear it! Thanks for commenting. I’d love to hear back after you add more chicken or make any other changes — people have left a few good suggestions. 🙂 Reply ↓

Just made this. OMG it’s good. Makes a lot of sauce, which is great, but I think I’ll put a little more chicken in next time. Tastes as good as the best Indian restaurant I’ve had. Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!

lavieoverseas Post author September 22, 2014 at 12:32 pm I’m glad to hear it! Thanks for commenting. I’d love to hear back after you add more chicken or make any other changes — people have left a few good suggestions. 🙂 Reply ↓

I’m glad to hear it! Thanks for commenting. I’d love to hear back after you add more chicken or make any other changes — people have left a few good suggestions. 🙂

Loendry January 7, 2015 at 5:20 am Do I have to sauté the onions and chicken? Or can I just start it all in the crockpot? Reply ↓ lavieoverseas Post author January 15, 2015 at 8:06 am You could probably just put everything in the crock pot without cooking it in advance, but I’ve never tried it that way. Let me know how it turns out! I guess the only difference might be it has to stay in the pot slightly longer to make sure the chicken is fully cooked. Reply ↓ Katie March 26, 2016 at 4:30 pm When you put raw onions in a slow cooker it never looses that bitter raw onion flavour. If you’re ok with that then go for it. Reply ↓

Do I have to sauté the onions and chicken? Or can I just start it all in the crockpot?

lavieoverseas Post author January 15, 2015 at 8:06 am You could probably just put everything in the crock pot without cooking it in advance, but I’ve never tried it that way. Let me know how it turns out! I guess the only difference might be it has to stay in the pot slightly longer to make sure the chicken is fully cooked. Reply ↓

You could probably just put everything in the crock pot without cooking it in advance, but I’ve never tried it that way. Let me know how it turns out! I guess the only difference might be it has to stay in the pot slightly longer to make sure the chicken is fully cooked.

Katie March 26, 2016 at 4:30 pm When you put raw onions in a slow cooker it never looses that bitter raw onion flavour. If you’re ok with that then go for it. Reply ↓

When you put raw onions in a slow cooker it never looses that bitter raw onion flavour. If you’re ok with that then go for it.

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Nichole February 18, 2015 at 12:50 am What kind of plain yogurt do you use? Greek yogurt work? Reply ↓ lavieoverseas Post author February 18, 2015 at 7:27 am I’ve never tried with plain Greek yogurt but I don’t see why it wouldn’t work. I just use plain (unflavored) normal yogurt. Living overseas I don’t always have many yogurt options, so I just use what’s available! Reply ↓

What kind of plain yogurt do you use? Greek yogurt work?

lavieoverseas Post author February 18, 2015 at 7:27 am I’ve never tried with plain Greek yogurt but I don’t see why it wouldn’t work. I just use plain (unflavored) normal yogurt. Living overseas I don’t always have many yogurt options, so I just use what’s available! Reply ↓

I’ve never tried with plain Greek yogurt but I don’t see why it wouldn’t work. I just use plain (unflavored) normal yogurt. Living overseas I don’t always have many yogurt options, so I just use what’s available!

Liz March 4, 2015 at 4:48 am I added just 1-2 tsp of sugar to the spice mix. I then bloom it for 3-5 minutes with the garlic and onions. The sugar just pops the spices. Then I add the chicken. Thanks for the lovely recipe. Reply ↓ lavieoverseas Post author March 9, 2015 at 6:13 pm Sounds great! I’m glad you found a way to personalize it to your tastes. I’ll have to try that tip next time. Thanks for commenting! Reply ↓

I added just 1-2 tsp of sugar to the spice mix. I then bloom it for 3-5 minutes with the garlic and onions. The sugar just pops the spices. Then I add the chicken. Thanks for the lovely recipe.

lavieoverseas Post author March 9, 2015 at 6:13 pm Sounds great! I’m glad you found a way to personalize it to your tastes. I’ll have to try that tip next time. Thanks for commenting! Reply ↓

Sounds great! I’m glad you found a way to personalize it to your tastes. I’ll have to try that tip next time. Thanks for commenting!

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Catherine September 18, 2015 at 7:26 pm Wonderful instructions, thank you for sharing this:) Reply ↓ lavieoverseas Post author September 19, 2015 at 2:54 pm Thanks! I’m glad you enjoyed and hopefully the recipe turned out well. 🙂 Reply ↓

Wonderful instructions, thank you for sharing this:)

lavieoverseas Post author September 19, 2015 at 2:54 pm Thanks! I’m glad you enjoyed and hopefully the recipe turned out well. 🙂 Reply ↓

Thanks! I’m glad you enjoyed and hopefully the recipe turned out well. 🙂

emily September 28, 2015 at 11:56 pm will this work in a bigger crock pot? I’m scared with just chicken, that it might burn! my crock pot gets hot fast too Reply ↓ lavieoverseas Post author September 29, 2015 at 5:46 am Hi Emily — It should work in a Crock Pot regardless of size; you might need to adjust the cook time accordingly. My Crock Pot is a 5-quart one and it also gets pretty hot (I almost alway use the “low” settings of 8 or 10 hours). I would say if you’re experimenting with this recipe for the first time, do it on a weekend or a day when you won’t be gone for 8 or 10 hours. I would be OK leaving it unattended for, say, 4-5 hours but anything longer in my slow cooker may cause it to burn. Reply ↓

will this work in a bigger crock pot? I’m scared with just chicken, that it might burn! my crock pot gets hot fast too

lavieoverseas Post author September 29, 2015 at 5:46 am Hi Emily — It should work in a Crock Pot regardless of size; you might need to adjust the cook time accordingly. My Crock Pot is a 5-quart one and it also gets pretty hot (I almost alway use the “low” settings of 8 or 10 hours). I would say if you’re experimenting with this recipe for the first time, do it on a weekend or a day when you won’t be gone for 8 or 10 hours. I would be OK leaving it unattended for, say, 4-5 hours but anything longer in my slow cooker may cause it to burn. Reply ↓

Hi Emily — It should work in a Crock Pot regardless of size; you might need to adjust the cook time accordingly. My Crock Pot is a 5-quart one and it also gets pretty hot (I almost alway use the “low” settings of 8 or 10 hours). I would say if you’re experimenting with this recipe for the first time, do it on a weekend or a day when you won’t be gone for 8 or 10 hours. I would be OK leaving it unattended for, say, 4-5 hours but anything longer in my slow cooker may cause it to burn.

M October 2, 2015 at 12:39 am I doubled this last night for my crew of eight. It worked perfectly on the stovetop! I just simmered it for a couple of hours on medium-low, stirring occasionally. BTW, Penzey’s has tandoori seasoning and the best garam masala! Reply ↓ lavieoverseas Post author October 2, 2015 at 12:54 pm Great! I’m glad it worked out on the stove top. I have frequently adapted stove-top recipes to slow-cooker versions, but never vice versa. Thanks for sharing, and I’ll make a note to try Penzey’s. Reply ↓

I doubled this last night for my crew of eight. It worked perfectly on the stovetop! I just simmered it for a couple of hours on medium-low, stirring occasionally. BTW, Penzey’s has tandoori seasoning and the best garam masala!

lavieoverseas Post author October 2, 2015 at 12:54 pm Great! I’m glad it worked out on the stove top. I have frequently adapted stove-top recipes to slow-cooker versions, but never vice versa. Thanks for sharing, and I’ll make a note to try Penzey’s. Reply ↓

Great! I’m glad it worked out on the stove top. I have frequently adapted stove-top recipes to slow-cooker versions, but never vice versa. Thanks for sharing, and I’ll make a note to try Penzey’s.

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Lisa October 11, 2016 at 8:50 pm I am a foreign service “brat” & my dad was with USAID as well. I am an older lady now but it was an incredible way to grow up. I wouldn’t have changed one single thing. We were posted to near east south Asia countries. So nice to find you and the curry was excellent! Reply ↓ lavieoverseas Post author October 23, 2016 at 8:51 pm Thanks, Lisa! I’m glad the curry worked out. Four years in, the USAID/Foreign Service experience has been an interesting, life-changing and fulfilling one. Where did you live growing up (what different posts/countries)? Reply ↓ Lisa October 25, 2016 at 6:43 pm My father built HUGE hydraulic dams which meant we were able to stay in a country for many years, a definite bonus. Our first country was India in the 1950’s & we were there for 4 tours. We then had tour back in D.C. where I went through extreme culture shock! We were then posted to Turkey for 3 tours. My childhood was India and my teen years were Turkey. I can’t imagine growing up any other way. Thanks for the reply. Reply ↓

I am a foreign service “brat” & my dad was with USAID as well. I am an older lady now but it was an incredible way to grow up. I wouldn’t have changed one single thing. We were posted to near east south Asia countries. So nice to find you and the curry was excellent!

lavieoverseas Post author October 23, 2016 at 8:51 pm Thanks, Lisa! I’m glad the curry worked out. Four years in, the USAID/Foreign Service experience has been an interesting, life-changing and fulfilling one. Where did you live growing up (what different posts/countries)? Reply ↓ Lisa October 25, 2016 at 6:43 pm My father built HUGE hydraulic dams which meant we were able to stay in a country for many years, a definite bonus. Our first country was India in the 1950’s & we were there for 4 tours. We then had tour back in D.C. where I went through extreme culture shock! We were then posted to Turkey for 3 tours. My childhood was India and my teen years were Turkey. I can’t imagine growing up any other way. Thanks for the reply. Reply ↓

Thanks, Lisa! I’m glad the curry worked out. Four years in, the USAID/Foreign Service experience has been an interesting, life-changing and fulfilling one. Where did you live growing up (what different posts/countries)?

Lisa October 25, 2016 at 6:43 pm My father built HUGE hydraulic dams which meant we were able to stay in a country for many years, a definite bonus. Our first country was India in the 1950’s & we were there for 4 tours. We then had tour back in D.C. where I went through extreme culture shock! We were then posted to Turkey for 3 tours. My childhood was India and my teen years were Turkey. I can’t imagine growing up any other way. Thanks for the reply. Reply ↓

My father built HUGE hydraulic dams which meant we were able to stay in a country for many years, a definite bonus. Our first country was India in the 1950’s & we were there for 4 tours. We then had tour back in D.C. where I went through extreme culture shock! We were then posted to Turkey for 3 tours. My childhood was India and my teen years were Turkey. I can’t imagine growing up any other way. Thanks for the reply.

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I'm Natasha -- writer, runner, mother, and wife to a Foreign Service Officer with USAID. We're currently living in Amman, Jordan .

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