Easy healthy slow cooker chicken tikka masala recipe

Are you looking for a healthy slow cooker chicken tikka masala recipe? Did you know that this many recipes can be made easily in the slow cooker? This chicken tikka masala recipe can be made both on the hob and in the slow cooker. Below I share the slow cooker version and information as to how to change it for the hob.

Just Average Jen is an independent blog and in no way connected with any weight loss plan and no contributors have been trained by them or worked for them. It is the reader’s responsibility to check Slimming World syn values, WW points and any other allowances themselves as those given are approximate.

Enjoying this recipe on a diet

This recipe is perfect for those who are dieting or aiming to eat more healthily. This is because it does not use any oil and the ingredients are all simple and natural.

For those following Slimming World who are looking for a Slimming World tikka masala recipe, this may be perfect for you. Whilst it is a chicken tikka masala I have also made it with a vegetarian chicken alternative and you could easily swap the meat to make a turkey tikka masala or pork tikka masala for example.

On Slimming World, to my knowledge, the last time I was a member, the only syns in this recipe would be for the light coconut milk and the cornflour. The cornflour however can be easily omitted if you are happy with a runnier sauce.

Choosing ingredients for the slow cooker chicken tikka masala

The ingredients for this recipe are really quite simple but there are a few tips I want to share with you to help you make your recipe taste the best.

Whilst this recipe uses chicken breast there is no reason you couldn’t use the meat from chicken thighs if you prefer. It will simply alter the taste and texture a little as they do have different flavours.

If you prefer to use jarred garlic instead of freshly crushed garlic it won’t make any difference to the taste and may be quicker if you are in a rush.

The coconut milk in this recipe is the kind in cans or small cartons in the Asian food area of the supermarket. Whilst you could use coconut milk of the kind usually found near fresh cow’s milk, this is not as thick and flavoured so it will change the taste and consistency of the final dish but it would certainly still work.

When choosing a fat-free natural greek yoghurt it is best to choose a thick one if you can as this will limit the likelihood of you needing the cornflour. That said if there is a huge price difference I always go for the cheaper one!

How to make slow cooker chicken tikka masala step by step

Firstly it is easiest to get all of your ingredients together so you know you have everything needed. I have photographed below the amounts for just 2 portions as I prefer to do that as I am vegetarian so that suits our family as I make myself a separate one. The recipe further down is for 4 however it could easily be halved to make it for 2 people.

Next simply put all your spices, the passata, the coconut milk, and chicken into the slow cooker and put it on until later. You should cook it for 4 hours on high or 7-8 hours on low.

When the time is up on the slow cooker you should start cooking the rice if you are eating this with rice too depending on how you are cooking it.

Now mix your yoghurt with cornflour and set aside for 5 minutes. If you are not using cornflour then the set-aside time is not necessary.

Add 4-5 tablespoons of the curry sauce to the yoghurt and mix well. This is to bring up the temperature of the yoghurt so it is less likely to separate when mixed into the hot curry.

Mix the yoghurt mix into the slow cooker and remove the lid off the slow cooker and leave for 10 minutes uncovered.

Serve and enjoy.

Frequently asked questions

Here I answer your questions that will help you ensure you make this well and have a great meal.

Can I make this slow cooker chicken tikka masala vegetarian?

Yes, simply substitute the chicken for a vegetarian alternative. I like What the cluck vegetarian chicken and also Quorn but you may have other favourites. If using a vegetarian alternative it works well with the same time in the slow cooker, possibly a little less if you use an alternative that easily breaks apart.

If you prefer to have the meal with just vegetables then you could add potato, sweet potato, butternut squash or other vegetables. With only vegetables, you could cook the recipe for a little less time. I usually recommend taking 25% off the cooking time. That said you will probably know yourself what works best with your slow cooker.

Is this quite a hot tikka masala recipe?

Yes, this is quite a hot chicken tikka masala recipe but of course, everyone has different preferences so why not taste it and see how you feel? You could always add some extra yoghurt if it is too spicy.

Can I add extra vegetables?

You certainly can add extra vegetables, depending on how many you plan to add you could double up the sauce ingredients to compensate if required. The choice is yours and this is easily adapted in any way you choose. Equally, you could remove the onion if you prefer or swap it for mushrooms, peppers or just some more chicken!

Can I swap the passata for chopped tomatoes?

Yes, you can, the only difference will be the sauce will not be as smooth. If you only have chopped tomatoes in the house and want to use them then go ahead it really doesn’t make any difference other than the texture!

How can I make this recipe spicier?

To make this recipe a little spicier I would recommend adding 1 tbsp of chilli powder to the spices in the initial step. If you want it spicier still you could think about adding some fresh chillies or increasing the quantity of each of the spices.

Other recipes you might enjoy

If you love Indian fakeaway recipes then here are a few I also think you will love.

Easy healthy air fryer onion bhajis

Keema curry recipe

Malaysian curry – a little different but also good!

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