Cozy Cold Weather Quick Dinner: Crockpot Chicken Tikka Masala

Throughout this fall and winter, I've been enjoying making this cozy meal. It doesn't take me long to throw the ingredients into my slow cooker in the morning while my daughter is hanging out in her playpen, and then it's just ready for us to serve up and eat when dinner time rolls around. It’s a flavorful, hearty dish that’s perfect for busy days when you need dinner to practically cook itself.

Here’s how I make it:

Ingredients: (makes about 6-8 servings)

• 4-5 boneless, skinless chicken thighs

• 1 sweet potato, peeled and chopped

• 1 zucchini, chopped

• ½ red onion, sliced

• 1 can of chickpeas, drained and rinsed

• 1 jar of tikka masala sauce (I get one I like at Kroger for $3, but Trader Joe's and a few other stores have some great healthy options as well. You may want to just check the ingredients and compare different ones for what feels like the healthiest option to you.)

• A splash of half-and-half or milk, garam masala spice, and chicken broth (all optional)

Instructions:

1. Layer the Ingredients: Into the crockpot, I throw the chicken thighs, sweet potato, zucchini, red onion, and chickpeas.

2. Add the Sauce: I pour the jar of tikka masala sauce over everything and toss until the sauce is evenly distributed. To make sure I get every last bit of sauce, I add a little bit of half-and-half or milk to the empty jar, shake it up, and pour it into the crockpot. This also makes the dish a bit soupier, which I love. 

   Sometimes I also add a bit of chicken broth or more half and half, and a bit of garam masala spice to the mix towards the end of its cook time, if I just feel like I want to on that particular day, but it's not necessary.

   
   
   

   
   

3. Cook: I set the crockpot to high for 4-6 hours or low for about 8 hours. As it cooks, the chicken becomes tender and absorbs all the rich, spiced flavors.

How to Serve:

This dish is so versatile! You can enjoy it on its own in bowls like a comforting stew as pictured above, while pair it with this easy homemade naan recipe for dipping. It’s also fantastic served over rice to make it even more filling. I always like to garnish it with fresh cilantro on top.

Why I Love This Recipe:

What I love most about this meal is simplicity and the fun salute to Indian flavors. I apologize in advance to any of my Indian friends reading this- it probably is not truly authentic cuisine, but for me in my naïveté, it's pretty satisfying to my ethnic food cravings. It’s the perfect meal to prep in the morning and let simmer away while you tackle your day. Plus, it’s packed with veggies and protein. And don’t worry if you don’t have these exact ingredients—it’s easy to swap in whatever other veggies you have on hand.

If you’re looking for an easy, cozy dinner idea that’s big on flavor, give this Crockpot Chicken Tikka Masala a try. It’s sure to become a favorite in your rotation.

Have you tried making tikka masala at home? What’s your favorite way to serve it? Let me know in the comments!