If you’ve ever craved creamy, rich butter chicken but didn’t want to mess up your keto diet, you’re in for a treat. This Keto Crockpot Butter Chicken recipe brings all the deep, comforting flavors of Indian butter chicken, without the sugar or carbs that usually sneak in.

It’s the kind of dish that makes your kitchen smell like heaven and your taste buds thank you. And the best part? You barely have to lift a finger. The slow cooker does almost all the work.

I’ve made this recipe more times than I can count. It’s saved me on lazy Sundays, busy workdays, and even those nights when I just want to curl up with a bowl of something rich and satisfying.

Let’s get started.

Why You’ll Love This Keto Butter Chicken

Before we dive into the ingredients, let me tell you why this one’s a keeper.

No sugar, no guilt. Regular butter chicken usually has a touch of sugar or even tomato paste with hidden carbs. Not this one. Every ingredient fits the keto way.
Creamy and bold. You won’t miss the traditional sauce. It’s thick, buttery, and perfectly spiced.
Effortless cooking. The Crockpot handles everything. You toss the ingredients in, walk away, and hours later, it’s ready.
Family-approved. My non-keto friends ask for seconds every single time.

How This Recipe Came To Be

A few years ago, when I started cutting carbs, I quickly realized how much I missed Indian takeout. Butter chicken used to be my go-to comfort meal. So I tried making a keto version on the stovetop. It tasted fine, but it took way too long, sautéing, stirring, waiting for the sauce to thicken.

One evening, after a long workday, I threw everything in the slow cooker just to see what would happen. I didn’t expect much. By dinner time, I opened the lid and the smell hit me, buttery, spiced, creamy perfection.

That moment pretty much changed my dinner game. Now, this version is on repeat in my kitchen.

Ingredients You’ll Need For this Recipe

Here’s what you’ll need for your Keto Crockpot Butter Chicken. Nothing fancy, everything’s easy to find in most grocery stores.

For the Chicken:

2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs (you can use breasts, but thighs stay juicier)
1 cup heavy cream
1 cup canned crushed tomatoes (or tomato puree with no added sugar)
½ cup unsalted butter (yes, half a cup — it’s butter chicken for a reason)
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 small onion, finely chopped
1 tablespoon fresh grated ginger (or 1 teaspoon ground ginger if you’re in a rush)
2 tablespoons garam masala
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon chili powder (adjust to taste)
1 teaspoon turmeric
1 teaspoon salt (taste and adjust later)
¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional, for a kick)

For Finishing:

¼ cup heavy cream (to stir in at the end)
1 tablespoon lemon juice
Fresh cilantro (for garnish)

Optional (for serving):

Cauliflower rice or keto naan
A spoon of full-fat Greek yogurt on top

Step-by-Step Instructions For Keto Crockpot butter chicken

Here’s how to make it without breaking a sweat.

Step 1: Prep Your Chicken

Trim any excess fat from your chicken thighs. Cut them into bite-sized pieces, about an inch each. You can leave them whole if you like chunkier chicken in your sauce, but I find smaller pieces soak up the flavor better.

Step 2: Mix the Sauce Base

In a medium bowl, mix together:

Tomato puree
Heavy cream
Garlic
Ginger
Spices (garam masala, cumin, turmeric, chili powder, salt, cayenne if using)

Give it a good stir. The mixture should look smooth and smell amazing — even before cooking.

Step 3: Load the Crockpot

Place the chopped onions and butter at the bottom of your Crockpot. Then add your chicken pieces. Pour the creamy tomato sauce over everything. Use a spoon to make sure all the chicken is coated.

Set your Crockpot to low for 6-7 hours or high for about 3 hours.

You can walk away now. Let it do its thing.

Step 4: Finish the Sauce

About 20 minutes before serving, stir in an extra ¼ cup of heavy cream and the lemon juice. This gives the sauce that signature smoothness and depth.

Let it cook uncovered for another 15–20 minutes so the sauce thickens slightly.

Step 5: Garnish and Serve

Turn off the heat. Sprinkle chopped cilantro on top before serving.

Serve it over cauliflower rice or alongside low-carb naan for a complete meal.

Cooking Tips That Make It Even Better

Here’s where a few small tweaks can take your butter chicken from good to wow.

Use chicken thighs. They handle long cooking better and stay juicy.
Don’t skip the butter. It’s literally in the name and it adds that rich texture you want.
Spices matter. Use fresh garam masala if possible. The aroma makes a difference.
Thicker sauce trick: If the sauce feels thin, stir in 1–2 tablespoons of cream cheese before serving. It keeps the dish keto and adds body.
Freezer-friendly. This dish freezes beautifully. Portion it into containers and store for up to 2 months.

How To Store and Reheat

This butter chicken tastes even better the next day. The flavors settle and deepen overnight.

To store:
Cool completely and store in an airtight container. Keep it in the fridge for up to 4 days.

To reheat:
Warm it on the stove over medium heat. Add a splash of cream or water if it gets too thick.

Nutrition Information (Per Serving)

This is a rough estimate (for 6 servings):

Calories: 480
Fat: 38g
Protein: 30g
Net Carbs: 5g

Perfect for a keto-friendly dinner that actually fills you up.

What Makes This Recipe Perfect for Keto

If you’ve been on keto for a while, you already know sauces can be tricky. Many are thickened with flour, sugar, or cornstarch. This recipe skips all that without losing texture or taste.

Here’s how:

Heavy cream replaces yogurt or milk.
Butter and cream give richness, replacing sugar’s smooth mouthfeel.
Tomato puree adds natural acidity without excess carbs.
The slow cooker lets the fat and spices blend slowly, no need for artificial thickeners.

So you get that full, restaurant-style flavor, completely keto-safe.

Variations You Can Try

You can change up the recipe depending on your mood or what’s in your pantry.

With coconut cream: Swap heavy cream for coconut cream for a dairy-free twist.
With extra heat: Add diced jalapeño or a teaspoon of crushed red pepper.
With spinach: Stir in a handful of spinach during the last 10 minutes for extra color and nutrients.
With paneer: If you’re vegetarian, skip the chicken and use cubed paneer or tofu.

A Few Common Mistakes To Avoid

Even an easy recipe can go wrong if you rush it. Here’s what to watch for:

Overcooking on high heat. Butter chicken tastes better slow-cooked. It gives the spices time to blend.
Using low-fat dairy. You’ll end up with a thin sauce that separates. Always go full-fat.
Adding the cream too early. It can curdle if you add it before the end. Wait until the last stretch.
Not tasting as you go. Every brand of tomato puree has different acidity. Adjust the salt and spice balance before finishing.

What To Serve With Keto Butter Chicken

Since this dish is rich and creamy, you’ll want something light on the side.

Cauliflower rice: The classic. It soaks up the sauce perfectly.
Zucchini noodles: A fun texture change, great if you want fewer calories.
Keto naan: If you’re feeling ambitious, make almond flour naan. It’s worth the effort.
Steamed broccoli or spinach: For a simple, veggie-packed plate.

And honestly, sometimes I just eat it straight from the bowl with a spoon. No judgment.

Freezer Meal Prep Option

If you like having ready-made dinners, this one’s ideal for freezer prep.

Here’s how:

Mix all the ingredients (except cream and lemon juice) in a freezer-safe bag.
Label it with the name and date.
Freeze flat for easy storage.
When ready, thaw in the fridge overnight and cook in the Crockpot as usual.

It’s perfect for busy weeks or lazy weekends.

How To Make It Spicier or Milder

Butter chicken is meant to be mild and creamy, but you can easily tweak the spice level.

For mild: Skip the cayenne and use less chili powder.
For hot: Double the cayenne or add a diced chili pepper.
For balance: Add a small pinch of sweetener like monk fruit or erythritol if the sauce feels too acidic.

My Secret Ingredient Tip

You know what makes this dish pop? A tiny spoon of smoked paprika. It’s not traditional, but it adds a faint smokiness that ties everything together. I tried it once by accident when I ran out of regular paprika, and now I never skip it.

Why The Slow Cooker Works So Well

The slow cooker allows the butter, cream, and spices to blend gently. It gives the chicken that soft, fall-apart texture without drying it out.

Plus, it frees you from the stove. You can go about your day, and dinner just… happens. It’s comfort cooking without effort.

And if you work from home, that smell wafting through the house? Torture in the best possible way.

The Taste Test

Here’s what to expect when you take that first bite:

A creamy, buttery sauce that’s rich but not heavy.
Tender chicken that breaks apart with a fork.
Warm spices that hit you softly, not burn-your-mouth hot, but comforting.

It’s the kind of food that makes you pause mid-bite and go, “Wow.”

Conclusion

This Keto Crockpot Butter Chicken is proof that low-carb food doesn’t have to be boring or complicated. You toss things together, walk away, and end up with something that could easily rival your favorite Indian restaurant.

Whether you’re deep into keto or just want a cozy dinner that feels indulgent but isn’t, this dish delivers every time.

I’ve made this for friends, family, even picky eaters, not one person guessed it was keto.

Make it once, and it’ll probably end up in your weekly rotation.