Making Curry Dishes

This past week was a special one for me as I celebrated my birthday. Time flies, and somehow I’ve turned 49! As every birthday deserves a celebration, we decided to indulge in some delicious food.

My family and I visited a new Indian restaurant nearby, and it was absolutely delightful. If you’ve spent some time browsing this blog, you’ll notice I have a knack for Indian-inspired dishes. From Spiced Onion Bhajis to Caramelized Onion and Almond Rice Pilaf, and even a lemony Coconut Curried Butternut Squash Soup, there’s something captivating about Indian cuisine that keeps me coming back for more!

In keeping with my love for all things curry, I’m excited to share an easy recipe with you all: Slow Cooker Curry Chicken with Coconut Milk. Cooking a good curry can often feel labor-intensive and time-consuming. However, using a slow cooker makes the process so much easier!

While this version may not boast the same depth of flavors as my traditional recipes like Chicken Tikka Masala, it still delivers deliciousness with super tender chicken. This dish is perfect for those busy days when you just want to prep a quick meal and move on with your day.

Let’s dive in and see how this simple yet flavorful slow cooker dish comes together!

Here’s Everything We Need To Make the Slow Cooker Curry Chicken With Coconut Milk

• Chicken breasts
• Onion
• Tomato paste
• Coconut milk
• Garlic
• Fresh ginger
• Garam masala
• Sweet paprika
• Turmeric
• Cumin
• Coriander
• Chili flakes
• Salt
• Black pepper
• Fresh parsley or cilantro
• Spring onion

Remember, the full recipe and instructions can be found at the bottom of the post in the recipe card.

Let’s Cook The Slow Cooker Curry

The trick to a stress-free cooking experience is always having everything prepped and ready to go!

• Cut the Chicken into small pieces – I prefer using boneless, skinless chicken breasts for this recipe but feel free to swap in chicken thighs if you prefer. Aim to cut them into around 2-inch pieces.
• Prepare fresh ingredients – Chop the onions roughly into 1-inch pieces, crush the garlic, and grate the ginger. Fresh ginger really elevates the flavor, so I wouldn’t recommend using ground ginger for this dish.

Assemble Slow Cooker Dish

• Make your spice blend – In a small bowl, mix together the dried spices, salt, and pepper thoroughly. This curry is designed to be aromatic and smooth rather than spicy. If you do crave some heat, you can add extra dried chilies or double up on the fresh ginger.
• Add ingredients to the slow cooker – Start by placing the cubed chicken into the slow cooker, sprinkle the spice blend over the top, and stir until the chicken is well coated. Toss in the onions, garlic, ginger, and tomato paste as well. Give it another good stir!

Cook The Slow Cooker Chicken Curry

• Add Coconut Milk – Pour the coconut milk over the chicken mixture and stir well. I prefer to use full-fat coconut milk, but reduced-fat works too; just note that it may result in a thinner sauce.
• Cover and cook – Place the lid on your slow cooker, set the temperature to low, and let it cook for about 6 hours.

Remember, all slow cookers vary slightly in cooking temperatures. Adjust the cooking time as needed based on your model when trying a recipe for the first time.

Finishing off The Dish

• Check for doneness – After 6 hours, the chicken should be fork-tender and fully cooked. It’s time to check!
• Thicken sauce (if needed) – I’ve found this dish doesn’t typically need thickening, but if you’d like a thicker sauce, mix 1 tablespoon of cornstarch with 2 tablespoons of water, then slowly stir into the slow cooker until it reaches your desired consistency.
• Garnish the dish – Adding a bit of freshness to your curry makes all the difference. I like to finish with freshly chopped cilantro and diced spring onions for a lovely touch.

Tips For Slow Cooker Curry Chicken

• Make sure spices are fresh – Over time, spices lose their potency. If yours have been hanging around for far too long, it’s time for an update!
• Use fresh garlic and ginger – These add significant flavor, so avoid dried options in this recipe.
• Additions you can make – Feel free to mix in some chopped bell peppers to enhance the flavor and texture of your dish.