Slow Cooker Butter Chicken meatballs are an easy and amazing twist on classic butter chicken. Chicken meatballs simmer away in a rich, creamy tomato-based sauce filled with just the right spices. This dump-and-go slow cooker dish is perfect for weeknight dinners, meal prep, or appetizers.
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📝Shopping list
To make this meatball recipe, you will need these ingredients. For quantities and full preparation instructions, please refer to the recipe card located at the bottom of this page.
Protein
- Chicken meatballs - I use premade frozen meatballs, but you can use homemade.
Canned Goods
- Tomato sauce
- Tomato paste
- Full-fat coconut milk
Produce
- Onion - chopped
- Garlic - minced
Seasonings
- Curry powder
- Garam masala
- Chili powder
- Cumin
- Salt
Dairy
- Butter - to keep it dairy-free, use plant-based butter
Why you will 💜 your slow cooker for this recipe
- Set-it-and-forget-it convenience. Just pop all the ingredients into your slow cooker and walk away.
- Mess-free cooking. No need to worry about splattering or burning. Slow cooker butter chicken meatballs are hands-free and mess-free.
- Rich flavor. Like my Madras Lentils, you will love the bold Indian-inspired flavors of this dish. The slow and steady cooking will make your meatballs tender and juicy while simultaneously allowing the sauce to simmer to a deep butter chicken flavor.
Preparing your slow cooker
- Coat your slow cooker with a non-stick spray or oil before cooking
- Oil works better than spray for some non-stick surfaces (check your slow cooker's manual)
- Olive oil and avocado oil are my go-to coatings.
- You can also use a slow cooker liner for even easier clean-up.
Get Cooking
Meatballs
Add frozen meatballs to a greased slow cooker
Sauce
Add all ingredients, other than butter and coconut milk, and stir to combine with the meatballs.
Butter
Top the sauce coated meatballs with pad of butter. Cover and cook.
Finishing Touch
Once fully cooked, stir in a tempered can of full fat coconut milk and enjoy!!
🍽Serving suggestions
- Over rice. Basmati and jasmine rice are both perfect choices. Cauliflower rice is a delicious low-carb option.
- With naan flatbread to soak up all the amazing sauce (this recipe is extra saucy just for this purpose!).
- Sprinkled with fresh cilantro and/or sliced green onions
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🔁Substitutions
This recipe is easy to customize based on dietary restrictions or spice preferences:
- Swap turkey meatballs for chicken meatballs
- Use heavy cream in place of coconut milk for a dairy option
- Adjust chili powder to your preference. You can add more for additional heat, or cut back to make it milder.
- Stir in spinach or peas during the last 15 minutes of cooking if you want to add a veggie to the mix.
More Slow Cooker Meatball Recipes To Try
If you love slow cooker meatballs, you may also enjoy some of my other favorites. Try my Tahini meatballs, Sweet chili sauce meatballs, Honey bourbon meatballs, or Enchilada meatballs for more dinner and appetizer ideas.
Storing and reheating
- Store leftover crockpot butter chicken meatballs in an airtight container. They will last for up to 4 days in the refrigerator and for up to 3 months frozen.
- Thaw frozen chicken meatballs overnight in the refrigerator before gently reheating.
- Reheat in the microwave in short intervals, stirring in between each.
Top tip
If your sauce gets too thick when reheating, add a splash of coconut milk.
😉Hints & hacks
- If using homemade meatballs, an instant-read thermometer helps determine when the meatballs are fully cooked through. When testing, be sure to place the thermometer in the center of the meatball. These delicious meatballs are safe to eat when they reach an internal temperature of 165℉.
- Easily make a double batch of this recipe by doubling all ingredients. Just make sure your slow cooker is large enough to hold it all. Cooking time may vary a bit.
- Use a slow cooker liner for easy clean-up. This is a fully optional step. I usually buy liners in bulk for the best per-piece price. However, if you plan to serve right out of the slow cooker, it will look nicer without a liner.
- In the market for a new slow cooker? I love mine!
- When using pre-made meatballs, I recommend that you do NOT buy Italian-flavored meatballs.
- Always double-check that your slow cooker is plugged in and turned on! There is nothing worse than a cold slow cooker come mealtime! 😟
FAQ
Yes. Frozen meatballs can be added right into your slow cooker without thawing first
Yes! This is a great meal prep recipe. Add all ingredients, other than the coconut milk and meatballs, to a small container and stir. Cover and store in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. When you are ready to cook, just add meatballs and already assembled sauce ingredients to your slow cooker.
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📖 Recipe
Slow Cooker Butter Chicken Meatballs
(Click on the stars to leave a rating)
Print Pin Rate SaveAll nutrition information shown here is automatically generated and should be considered an estimate. If you follow a specific diet, please calculate your own values to ensure accuracy.
Equipment
- measuring cups and spoons
- Mixing Spoon
Ingredients
- 24 - 30 oz chicken meatballs frozen
- 15 oz tomato sauce
- 6 oz tomato paste
- 1 cup onion choped
- 2 tablespoon garlic minced
- 1½ tablespoon curry powder
- 1 tablespoon garam masala
- 2 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 2 tablespoon butter sliced
- 13.5 oz can full-fat coconut milk
Instructions
- Place 24 - 30 oz chicken meatballs in a greased slow cooker
- Top with 15 oz tomato sauce, 6 oz tomato paste, 1 cup onion, 2 tablespoon garlic, 1½ tablespoon curry powder, 1 tablespoon garam masala, 2 teaspoon chili powder, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1 teaspoon cumin
- Stir to mix all ingredients and to fully coat all meatballs
- Top with 2 tablespoon butter. Butter should be cut into slices or pieces so you can spread it over the top of the meatballs
- Cover and cook on high for 2-3 hours or low for 4 - 6
- Meatballs should reach an internal temperature of 165℉ before moving on to the next step.
- About 15 minutes before serving, stir in 13.5 oz can full-fat coconut milk. To avoid curdling, stir or shake coconut milk to fully incorporate fat and allow it to come to room temperature before adding. You can also add a bit of the hot sauce from your slow cooke into the can to help raise the temp of the coconut milk.
- Serve and enjoy!
Final Step
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Notes
Nutrition
All nutrition information shown here is automatically generated and should be considered an estimate. If you follow a specific diet, please calculate your own values to ensure accuracy.
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Sarah says
Delicious! Can't wait to make it again.
Susan says
Hi Sarah, I love hearing that. Thanks for taking the time to come back and share!