Description
This freezer-friendly Chicken Tikka Masala recipe offers a creamy, aromatic, and richly spiced Indian-inspired dish that’s perfect for stress-free meal prep. Prepare it ahead, freeze, and then cook in your crockpot for 6 to 8 hours to enjoy tender chicken in a luscious tomato-based sauce infused with garam masala, turmeric, and cumin. Serve over basmati rice or with warm naan bread for an authentic, flavorful dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken Marinade and Sauce
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cubed
- 1 cup plain yogurt
- 1 can (14 oz) tomato sauce
- 1 onion, diced
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tablespoon garam masala
- 1 teaspoon turmeric
- 1 teaspoon cumin
Finishing Touch
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
Instructions
- Prepare Ingredients: Cube the chicken breasts and dice the onion. Mince the garlic cloves to ensure the base flavors develop fully in the dish.
- Assemble Freezer Bag: Combine the cubed chicken, plain yogurt, tomato sauce, diced onion, minced garlic, garam masala, turmeric, and cumin in a gallon-sized freezer bag. Seal tightly, ensuring as much air is removed as possible, then freeze flat for efficient storage.
- Thaw Before Cooking: When ready to cook, remove the freezer bag from the freezer and thaw it overnight in the refrigerator to allow for even cooking.
- Cook in Crockpot: Pour the thawed contents into the crockpot. Set the cooker on low heat and cook for 6 to 8 hours until the chicken is tender and infused with the spices and sauce.
- Add Cream: About 30 minutes before serving, stir in the heavy cream to give the sauce a rich, smooth finish and blend all the flavors together.
- Serve: Serve hot over fluffy basmati rice or alongside warm naan bread to complete this classic Indian meal.
Notes
- For an extra authentic taste, marinate the chicken in yogurt and spices for a few hours before freezing.
- You can substitute chicken thighs for a juicier result.
- Add chili powder or cayenne pepper if you prefer a spicier dish.
- This recipe freezes well for up to 3 months.
- If heavy cream isn’t available, coconut milk is a suitable dairy-free alternative but will slightly change the flavor.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 6–8 hours
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooker
- Cuisine: Indian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (approximately 1/4 of recipe)
- Calories: 380 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 480 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 12 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 38 g
- Cholesterol: 110 mg
Keywords: chicken tikka masala, crockpot recipes, freezer meals, slow cooker chicken, Indian dinner, easy meal prep
