Chicken Curry in a Slow Cooker: A Hands-Off Weeknight Dinner

Published on Oct 18, 2024

There's nothing like coming home after a long day to the amazing aromas of a chicken curry slowly simmering away in the slow cooker. Curry is one of my favorite comfort foods - the blend of warm spices just makes me feel cozy and happy. While curry can certainly be made on the stovetop, I've found the slow cooker to be the perfect way to let all those rich flavors develop overnight with very little effort.

By the time dinner rolls around, the chicken is fall-off-the-bone tender and the sauce has reduced into an incredibly rich and nuanced gravy. My family always looks forward to slow cooker chicken curry nights because it's such an easy, satisfying meal. In this article, I'll share my foolproof recipe and tips for letting your slow cooker do all the work so you can relax while a delicious home-cooked curry cooks unattended.

Ingredients

1 1/2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch pieces
1 small onion, diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon grated fresh ginger
1 teaspoon ground coriander
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon ground turmeric
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
1 (14.5 ounce) can diced tomatoes
1 cup chicken or vegetable broth
1/3 cup plain whole milk yogurt
Fresh cilantro for garnish
Cooked rice or naan bread for serving

Instructions

Add the chicken pieces to your slow cooker insert. Top with the diced onion.
In a small bowl, whisk together the minced garlic, grated ginger, coriander, cumin, turmeric, and cayenne (if using). Sprinkle this spice mixture over the chicken and onions.
Pour the diced tomatoes with their juices over the spices. Pour in the chicken or vegetable broth. Stir gently to combine.
Cover and cook on low heat for 6-8 hours or on high heat for 3-4 hours, until the chicken is cooked through and very tender.
When the curry is almost done cooking, stir in the yogurt. This adds creamy richness without curdling from the long cooking time.
Taste and adjust seasoning as needed, adding more spices if you prefer a spicier curry. Ladle portions into bowls and garnish with fresh cilantro leaves.
Serve warm over cooked rice or with naan bread for scooping. Enjoy!

How the Slow Cooker Makes Easy Work of Chicken Curry

The slow cooker is ideal for braised dishes like chicken curry for a few key reasons:

Low, Slow Cooking: The slow cooker simmers ingredients gently at a low temperature for hours. This allows flavors to develop richly without burning. Tender chicken falls off the bone.
Moist Heat Environment: Different than oven roasting, the slow cooker creates a moist environment so meat and vegetables don't dry out. Extra sauce isn't needed.
Set It and Forget It: Once the ingredients are in the pot and it's set to cook, you don't need to monitor it or stir. Walk away to focus on other tasks while dinner cooks unattended.

Built-In Simmer: Stovetop curries require constant stirring to prevent sticking or burning on the bottom. The slow cooker circulates heat around the insert, so nothing sticks or scorches on the bottom.
One-Pot Meal: All the elements, from protein to sauce, cook together harmoniously. No need for separate pans on the stovetop. Cleanup is easy too with just one pot.
Tenderizes Meat: The long, slow cooking process breaks down tough chicken or other meat fibers, resulting in fall-off-the-bone tender pieces.

Why Ingredients Were Chosen

Let's break down the key ingredients in this chicken curry recipe and why they were selected:

Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breasts: Lean white meat holds up well to long cooking and absorbs flavors. Cut into pieces for more surface area contact with sauce.
Onion: Aromatic base for the curry. Caramelizes during slow cooking for natural sweetness.
Garlic and Ginger: Classic curry flavors that retain potency even after hours of cooking. Add depth and complexity.
Spices: Ground coriander, cumin, and turmeric are common curry powder ingredients. Add layers of warmth and spice. Cayenne is optional for more heat.
Diced Tomatoes: Contribute bright acidity and tomato flavors. Their juice creates sauce.
Broth: Keeps ingredients moist as they simmer. Can use chicken or veggie broth.
Plain Yogurt: Stirred in at end adds creaminess without curdling from long heat. Balances other flavors.
Cilantro: Fresh herb garnish enhances aromas.

Tips for the Best Slow Cooker Chicken Curry

Here are some additional tips for making slow cooker chicken curry:

Bump Up the Spice: Add extra spice if you like it very hot. Start with 1/2 teaspoon cayenne and adjust to your taste.
Use Bone-In Chicken: Bone-in pieces stay moister than breast. Remove bones before serving if desired.
Vary Protein: Try chicken thighs, shredded pork, or cubed tofu in place of chicken.
Add Vegetables: Diced carrots, bell peppers, cauliflower, or zucchini add nutrition and texture.
Thicken Sauce: If a thicker sauce is desired, stir in 1-2 tablespoons cornstarch mixed with water near end of cooking.
Cook on Low: For ultra-tender meat and fully developed flavors, always cook on low setting if possible vs. high.
Adjust Milk: Use whole milk, half and half, or coconut milk instead of plain yogurt if preferred.
Serve Over Rice: Fluffy basmati rice soaks up all the rich curry sauce perfectly.
Garnish Ideas: Top with chopped peanuts, diced mango, cilantro, or lime wedges.

Make-Ahead and Leftovers Tips

The slow cooker makes chicken curry ideal for batch cooking and meals later in the week. Here are some tips:

Prepare ingredients ahead of time and store in the fridge until ready to assemble and cook.
Double or triple the recipe and freeze portions for easy reheating later. Thaw overnight in the fridge.
Leftovers keep nicely in the fridge for 3-4 days. Reheat in the microwave or on the stovetop.
Refrigerated curry thickens as it sits. Add a splash of broth or water before reheating if a looser sauce is preferred.
Leftover curry also makes excellent filling for wraps, rice bowls, or tacos later in the week for quick meal solutions.

Whether enjoying a homemade slow cooker chicken curry for dinner tonight or batch cooking for easy meals ahead, this flavorful recipe is a warm and satisfying comfort food the whole family will love. With very little hands-on time required, it's a wonderful weekday or weekend project. Turn on the slow cooker and relax - let the aromas of this delicious curry entice you all day long!