Slow Cooker Indian Chicken Curry

This slow cooker Indian chicken curry is full of flavor from both ground spices and spice seeds. It’s made with chicken thighs that are fall-apart tender by the time the dish is ready.

For more curry favorites, check out this Thai chicken curry, this easy chicken tikka masala and these curry chicken bites.

What spices are in this curry?

Notes on the spices in this dish:

• Use mild or spicy chili powder and yellow curry powder, depending on spicy you like the dish.
• As always, I highly recommend that you use high-quality spices from a dedicated spice shop for this recipe. High quality spices make a huge difference in any dish and that is especially true for curries.

How to make it:

See full ingredients & instructions in the recipe card below!

Although this dish is made in the slow cooker, there is a bit of prep work involved but the curry is so flavorful that it is worth the effort.

Make an onion puree:

The recipe starts with the preparation of an onion puree, a common ingredient used in Indian cooking. The puree gives the sauce its structure and is easily made by boiling chunks of onion in water and then pureeing them in the food processor.

Step 1. Chop a white or yellow onion into 1-inch chunks and boil (uncovered) in water until almost all the water has evaporated. Let cool a bit.

Step 2. Process the onion into a puree, then set aside.

Make a curry spice paste:

The next step is the curry spice paste. It’s made with ground spices along with fresh garlic that are mixed together with a few tablespoons of water.

Step 3. While the cooked onion is cooling, grab a small bowl and add the spices.

Step 4. Mix the spices with water to make a paste, then set aside.

Prepare the chicken:

Step 5. In a Dutch oven, sear boneless, skinless chicken thighs in vegetable oil.

Step 6. Move the chicken thighs over to one side of the Dutch oven, then add the spice seeds and fry.

Step 7. Add the onion puree, carrot and a star anise.

Step 8. Fry for 10 minutes, then take out the star anise.

Slow cook the chicken:

Step 9. Add the spice paste, crushed tomatoes, tomato paste and chicken broth.

Step 10. Bring to a simmer, then transfer and cook in the slow cooker for 3 hours. Stir in sour cream, then season to taste with salt.

How to serve the curry:

You can serve the curry with naan or with rice and garnish with fresh cilantro. For extra substance and additional flavors, fry one egg per dish and serve on top of the curry.

How spicy is this curry?

The spiciness of this curry is determined by the ground spices. Use a mild chili powder and a mild yellow curry powder for a milder dish and medium for a spicier one.

How to store leftovers:

Transfer any leftovers into an airtight container and store in the fridge for up to 2 days.

Can I make it ahead?

Yes, you can make the curry up to 2 days ahead and store in an airtight container in the fridge.

Can I freeze it?

Yes, this curry freezes well and you can transfer it into a freezer bag after letting it cool to room temperature, seal and put in the freezer.

More delicious dinner recipes:

See all main course recipes ->

Made this recipe? It would be awesome if you could leave a rating. Either tap or click the stars in the recipe card or leave a comment below. Thanks!

Full Printable Recipe

Slow Cooker Indian Chicken Curry

This recipe is adapted from Curry Frenzy.

This slow cooker chicken curry is full of flavor from both ground spices and spice seeds.

4.67 from 6 votes

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Cook Time 3 hrs 40 mins

Total Time 3 hrs 40 mins

Course Main Course

Cuisine Indian

Servings 2

Calories (estimated) 960 kcal

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x

• ▢ 1 white or yellow onion
• ▢ 2 teaspoons powdered ginger
• ▢ 1 teaspoon turmeric powder
• ▢ 4 teaspoons mild or medium yellow curry powder* (depending on how spicy you would like the dish)
• ▢ 4 teaspoons chili powder
• ▢ 2 large garlic cloves, minced or pressed through a garlic press
• ▢ ½ tablespoon vegetable oil
• ▢ 4-5 boneless, skinless chicken thighs
• ▢ ¼ teaspoon whole fenugreek seeds
• ▢ ¼ teaspoon whole cumin seeds
• ▢ ¼ teaspoon whole coriander seeds
• ▢ ¼ teaspoon whole brown or yellow mustard seeds
• ▢ 1 whole star anise
• ▢ ½ carrot, sliced
• ▢ 1 cup canned crushed tomatoes (8 ½ ounces)
• ▢ 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• ▢ 1 cup chicken broth
• ▢ ⅔ cup sour cream or more, if desired
• ▢ cilantro, for garnish
• ▢ 2 over easy eggs, optional

Instructions

 

• Peel the onion and chop into ~ 1-inch chunks. Add the chunks to a pot along with 1 cup of water and boil uncovered until almost all water has evaporated. Let cool for a bit.
• Transfer the boiled onion along with any remaining water into a food processor and process into a puree. Set aside.
• Combine ginger, turmeric, curry powder, chili powder and garlic in a small bowl.
• Stir 3 tablespoons of water into the spices and mix with a spoon to make a paste. Set aside.
• Heat the vegetable oil in a Dutch oven until shimmering. Sear the chicken thighs on both sides in the hot oil.
• Turn the heat down, move the chicken thighs over to one side of the Dutch oven and add fenugreek, cumin, coriander and mustard seeds to the other side. Fry the seeds for 4 – 5 minutes (the seeds need to sizzle but be careful not to burn them).
• Carefully add the onion puree, then the star anise and the carrot.
• Turn the heat back up and fry the onion and carrot for 10 minutes. Remove the star anise and discard.
• Add the spice paste, crushed tomatoes, tomato paste and chicken broth and mix well. Let the mix come to a boil, then transfer to the slow cooker and cook on low for 3 hours.
• Stir in the sour cream, then season to taste with a little bit of salt.
• Serve the curry with naan or rice and sprinkle with cilantro.
• For extra flavor and substance, fry one egg per serving either sunny side up or over easy and put it on top of the curry.

Notes

*I highly recommend to get curry powder and other spices from a dedicated spice shop rather than the grocery store for this recipe. The quality and freshness of spices makes a huge difference in any dish and that is especially true for curries.

Nutrition

Calories: 960kcal

Keywords: slow cooker chicken curry, slow cooker curry, slow cooker indian chicken curry