I absolutely love a good Chicken Tikka Masala, but let’s be real, sometimes they can be really high in calories. The good news? This recipe is a game-changer! It’s packed with flavor, yet light enough that you won’t feel guilty about enjoying it. I’m talking no oil, no cream, and no frying, just a cozy, creamy curry made in your slow cooker. Trust me, you’ll be amazed at how much flavor comes from such simple ingredients. Let’s dive into how to make this healthy yet mouth-watering dish!

Method in Detail

To start, begin by preparing your ingredients. Start by chopping the garlic, onion, ginger, and red chili into small pieces. These ingredients will form the base of your curry, and chopping them finely helps to release all those amazing flavors. Once you’ve chopped them, set them aside for a moment.

Next, assemble the ingredients in the slow cooker. Take your slow cooker and add the chopped garlic, onion, ginger, and red chili into the pot. Add the chicken breasts whole, as they’ll cook down beautifully over time. Then, add your can of chopped tomatoes, the spices turmeric, garam masala, cumin, and paprika, along with the fresh lemon juice. Give everything a quick stir to combine all the flavors together, making sure the chicken is coated in the spices and juices. You can even take a quick smell and you’ll be amazed at how fragrant it already smells!

Once everything is in the slow cooker, set your cooker to the correct temperature. If you’re in a hurry, set it on high for 3 hours. If you have more time, low and slow for 5 to 6 hours works wonders, especially for the flavors to develop and marry together.

As the dish cooks, you’ll notice the house filling with an irresistible smell. In the final 5 minutes of cooking, add the fat-free natural yogurt to the pot. This step is key as it adds that creamy texture and smoothness to the curry without any heavy cream or oil. Stir it in gently, ensuring the yogurt blends thoroughly into the sauce, making it velvety and rich.

Once it’s ready, serve your chicken tikka masala over a bed of fluffy rice. The rice soaks up the flavorful sauce, and the chicken will be tender and juicy, just falling apart when you take a bite.

Necessary Tools

Slow Cooker
Chopping board and knife
Measuring spoons
Stirring spoon
Can opener

Slowcooker Chicken Tikka Masala

Recipe by Simon Davies

0.0 from 0 votes

Cuisine: IndianDifficulty: Easy

Servings

servings

Prep time

minutes

Cooking time

hours

Total time

hours

minutes

Ingredients

4 chicken breasts
1 can of chopped tomatoes
1 tsp Turmeric, Garam Masala, Cumin, Paprika
Juice of 1 lemon
4 garlic cloves, chopped
A chunk of fresh ginger
1 red chilli
1 onion
Small pinch of fresh coriander
2 tbsp mango chutney
½ cup of fat-free natural yogurt

Directions

Start by chopping up the garlic, onion, ginger, and red chilli.
Add all of the ingredients (except the yogurt) into your slow cooker – yep, just toss it all in!
Cook on high for 3 hours or low for 5-6 hours.
When there’s just 5 minutes left on the clock, stir in the fat-free natural yogurt to give your curry that perfect creamy finish.
Serve over a bed of rice and enjoy!

Notes

Make sure you’re using fat-free yogurt at the end. It adds creaminess without the extra calories!
Don’t skip the step of stirring the yogurt in during the last 5 minutes, as it helps give the sauce that silky smooth texture.
If you’re using a slow cooker on low, remember that it will take a bit longer, but the flavors will be even more developed!

Serving Suggestions

This chicken tikka masala is best served with some fluffy rice on the side. You can also pair it with naan bread for a little extra carb goodness. If you’re looking to make it even lighter, serve it with steamed veggies or a simple side salad.

Fun Fact

Did you know that Chicken Tikka Masala is often considered one of the UK’s favorite dishes? In fact, some believe it was created in the UK, not India! While we may not know exactly where it originated, we do know that it’s absolutely delicious.

Conclusion

This Lean Slowcooker Chicken Tikka Masala is the perfect way to enjoy a healthier version of a classic favorite. It’s easy to make, packed with bold flavors, and gives you that creamy comfort without all the extra calories. Plus, it’s made in a slow cooker, so you can set it and forget it. Whether you’re serving it up for dinner or packing leftovers for lunch, this dish will quickly become a staple in your weeknight meal rotation. Happy cooking!