Healthy slow cooker chicken curry combines classic curry spices, lean chicken, veggies, and nonfat yogurt to make a delicious, creamy curry. An easy, healthy everyday meal!
It's easy to tell you how to use a slow cooker to make chicken curry. But what about making it a healthy meal? I left out the cream, fat, but not the flavor!
Easy Indian Inspired Food At Home
I love making Indian food at home. My other curries, like this easy one-skillet fish coconut curry, are delicious.
I love flavorful, creamy curries — especially over a bed of basmati rice with a side of garlic naan! There's not much more that can satisfy that craving.
Some of my favorites are tikka masala, tandoori masala, and vegetable korma. I wanted to create a slow cooker curry dinner recipe that covered all my favorites. Chicken, veggies, and a drinkable sauce.
Jump to:
Ingredients In This Healthy Chicken Curry Recipe
To make this healthy chicken curry low-fat I knew I needed to cut out the rich meats and cream, and cut down on any added sugars or rich coconut milk.
This is a slow cooker chicken curry without coconut milk. I swapped it for nonfat yogurt!
I used curry powder, onions, garlic, sweet raisins and carrots to create a delicious flavor base. I added turmeric for an extra kick of that classic curry color.
And did you know turmeric is a fantastic anti-inflammatory? It's true. Healthy bonus!
I love lean chicken breasts, but cooking them in the slow cooker is hit or miss. I knew I wanted the lean, meaty texture of chicken breasts but I added in some boneless, skinless chicken thighs too because I know they stay nice and tender in the slow cooker.
The mix is perfect. I feel like I'm getting my lean protein but have meaty goodness.
Making A Creamy Curry Sauce
This recipe is a slow cooker chicken curry without coconut milk. To achieve just enough creaminess in the sauce I added nonfat yogurt to this slow cooker chicken curry. The tang also adds to the flavor and enhances all the spiciness.
Typically curries have coconut milk, which adds the creamy silkiness and a ton of flavor. The spices add all the flavor we need here.
How To Make Slow Cooker Chicken Curry
Making Indian food in the slow cooker is a bonus. Once you have the spices in your pantry, you're good to go with just a few other ingredients!
- Add the chicken, onion, and carrots to a 6-qt slow cooker.
- Combine the curry powder, cornstarch, salt, pepper and turmeric in a small bowl and toss with chicken mixture.
- Add the cauliflower, garlic, raisins and ⅓ cup water to the slow cooker.
- Cover and cook for 4 hours on high or 8 hours on low.
- Ladle about 1 cup of the cooking liquid into a bowl and combine with the yogurt and cilantro. Then, add mixture back to the slow cooker, stirring gently (so you don't break the tender cauliflower).
Can This Slow Cooker Chicken Curry Be Made In An Instant Pot?
You could certainly use a multicooker for this recipe. I have not tested the timing, but all of the elements would hold up well in that style of pressure cooker. I would suggest a shorter pressure cooking time because vegetables like cauliflower and carrots will become tender quickly.
What Slow Cooker Do You Recommend for Chicken Curry?
I use my favorite slow cooker and let the healthy chicken curry simmer for several hours. I love how the flavors absorb into the chicken and veggies.
How To Serve Healthy Crockpot Chicken Curry
This slow cooker Indian chicken curry is flavorful and low-calorie. It includes vitamin C-rich cauliflower, vitamin A-packed carrots and anti-inflammatory turmeric. Serve it with plenty of fresh cilantro.
You can serve this chicken curry over whole-grain brown rice or quinoa for added fiber. That way you don't have to miss out on the rice, but you get added health benefits.
Tips For Making Slow Cooker Curry
- I recommend using a blend of boneless chicken thighs and chicken breasts to make this recipe. Thighs stay more tender than breasts as they cook low and slow in a Crockpot.
- If you're seriously opposed to having raisins or currents in your curry, you may omit them. However, they're a sweet contract to the curry sauce! If you're willing you can substitute chopped dried apricots.
- I recommend slicing the carrots and cauliflower into large chunks so that they don't overcook and turn to mush in the slow cooker.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes! The slow cooker is designed to cook raw meats at a lower temperature more slowly, over several hours. The result is juicy and moist cooked chicken in a delicious curry sauce.
Slow cooker chicken curry can be cooked on either low or high on the slow cooker depending on how much time you have. On the low setting it will take 7 hours while on the high setting it will take 4 hours.
Serve this healthy chicken curry over a bed of rice or a whole grain like quinoa or brown rice. I also like to serve it with naan bread.
Slow cooker chicken curry will last in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. This healthy chicken curry also freezes beautifully. Store in a freezer safe airtight container for up to 2 months. Defrost the curry overnight in the fridge before reheating completely for best results.
Since the slow cooker cooks curry at a lower temperature than the stovetop, not as much liquid evaporates in a slow cooker when compared to simmering curry on the stove. As a result the sauce can become more watery.
When using the slow cooker for this curry, I toss the chicken in cornstarch to naturally thicken the sauce as moisture releases during the cooking process. I also use less liquid than I would in a stovetop chicken curry recipe. Lastly, using yogurt rather than coconut milk at the end of the recipe keeps the sauce a thicker consistency as well.
More curry recipes
- Braised Thai Pork Curry with Broccoli
- Curry Chicken Drumsticks with Chickpeas
- Thai Shrimp Soup
- Indian Biryani with Chicken
- Curry Crap Dip
Rate this recipe! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Scroll to the bottom of the page to rate and comment on this recipe. Leaving comments, questions, and ratings helps other too!
📖 Recipe
Healthy Slow Cooker Chicken Curry
Ingredients
- 1½ pounds chicken breasts and thighs (boneless, skinless, cut into 3-inch pieces)
- 1 small onion (thinly sliced)
- 3 carrots ( sliced into thick rounds)
- 4 teaspoons curry powder
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 1¼ teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- ¾ teaspoon ground turmeric
- ½ head cauliflower (cut into large florets)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- ⅓ cup raisins
- 1¼ cups plain nonfat yogurt
- ¼ cup chopped cilantro (, plus more for garnish)
- Brown rice or quinoa ((optional))
Instructions
- Add the chicken, onion and carrots to a 6-quart slow cooker.
- Combine the curry powder, cornstarch, salt, pepper and turmeric in a small bowl and toss with chicken mixture.
- Add cauliflower, garlic, raisins and ⅓ cup water; cover and cook 4 hours on high or 7 hours on low.
- Ladle about 1 cup of the cooking liquid into a bowl and combine with the yogurt and cilantro; add mixture back to the slow cooker, stirring gently. Season with salt as needed.
- Serve on brown rice or quinoa if desired with cilantro on top.
Notes
Nutrition
Slow Cooker Recipes
- Crockpot Turkey Meatloaf
- Dang Delicious Slow Cooker Brisket Sandwiches
- Veggie Loaded Carnitas Tacos Recipe
- Slow Cooker Arroz Con Pollo (Chicken With Rice)
- Short Ribs With Cheesy Polenta
- Slow Cooker Brisket With Fruit And Wine Sauce
- Ropa Vieja (Slow Cooker Cuban Braised Beef)
- Honey-Rosemary Chicken With Yukon Gold Potatoes
My amazing food blogger friends have slow cooker meals that will knock your socks off. Make a whole week of easy and delicious dinners with these ideas:
Slow Cooker Weeknight Lasagna
BBQ Pulled Pork
Crock Pot Mississippi Pot Roast Sandwiches
Spicy Honey Garlic Chicken
Low Carb Slow Cooker Meatloaf
Crock Pot French Dips
Slow Cooker Chicken & Veggie Soup
Crockpot Chicken Jambalaya
Slow Cooker Beef Tacos
Crock Pot Chicken Alfredo
Spicy Crock Pot Macaroni and Cheese
Tara Teaspoon
I’ve been in food publishing for over 25 years, creating recipes & food-styling for magazines, books, television, food brands, & advertising. With two cookbooks under my belt and thousands of my recipes at your fingertips, I hope you'll be inspired to spend more time in the kitchen!
Recipe by Tara Teaspoon. Originally published LHJ Feb '11. Updated May 2023.
Brittany Smart says
I love curry! Can't wait to try this recipe out, seem so simple - perfect when I'm gone all day at work or school!
Emily says
I love curry but haven't made it in ages, this sounds so easy!
Bec says
I'm so in love with this curry recipe, because I finally found one that doesn't call for coconut (which I'm seriously allergic to!), AND it's an easy slow cooker recipe. You are my kitchen time-saver, Tara!
Tara says
Oh gosh! Sorry about your allergy, but so happy I could help!
Lisa says
Curry is one of my favorite flavors and the sweet pops of raisin would be perfect with it. Love all the veggies in this vibrant dish.
Stephanie says
I love slow cooker recipes and this sounds amazing with all the yummy flavors going on here. Great idea to use yogurt for creaminess.
Elaine @ Dishes Delish says
Mmm. I look forward to trying your chicken curry recipe! It looks delicious and easy especially since the slow cooker does the work 🙂
Cristy says
This sounds amazing. I love curry, but always forget to make it.
http://happyfamilyblog.com
Adriana Lopez Martin says
Yummy dinner inspired in the favors of India! Looks tempting and a great way to use a lot of veggies. Cannot wait to try it!
Shashi at SavorySpin says
I am a huge fan of curry - now I'm wishing I hadn't sold my slow cooker as this looks so good!
Maegan says
My husband loves curry, and slow cooker meals are the best! Thanks for the recipe!
Sharon says
This really sounds like a hearty meal so full of flavor! It really looks delicious.
Jennifer says
This looks so delicious! I love anything made in a slow cooker because it is so easy! Fix it and forget it!
Raina says
This looks so good! Love that its a slow cooker recipe too, I could always use more of those!
Becky Tarala says
I use plain yogurt in so many recipes! It's a staple for me. I haven't used curry powder in forever. I've got to try this!
Jess says
I’m wondering if you add in the yoghurt during the simmering process or just at the end? This is my first time ever cooking a curry!!! Also just using a large stove top pot so no slow cooker this time. Tia
Mrs. Fab says
Is the chicken cooked or raw?
Tara says
In my recipes, unless I call for cooked chicken, it is assumed it is raw and ready to be prepared and cooked as the recipe methods calls for. Yes, the chicken called for in this recipe should be raw before you start the cooking process.
mrsfab says
Your “Nutrition Facts” is omitting serving size. Hard to calculate if you don’t include the serving size. You know, like is it per teaspoon or cup? ??♀️??♀️
I made this recipe but I can’t make it again if I don’t have the info to enter into my log.
Tara says
Hi MrsFab, the serving size is one sixth of the recipe. The recipe serves 6 and that is how the nutrition facts are calculated. When I make it again I can get a cup measurement for you.
Mary Bench says
This looks delicious for a curry-lover!
Corinne R says
When do you add the yogurt?
Tara says
hi Corinne
Add it in step two. You mix it with the liquid and stir it into the slow cooker.
Sam Bean says
We loved this version of Chicken Curry. I used 3 large chicken breasts cut into 3 inch strips and instead of the curry powder I used S&B Japenese Curry. (things I had on hand.) It was delicious. Thanks Tara!
Tara Teaspoon says
I love it when people get creative and use what's on hand with my recipes. That's the fun of cooking, thank you for sharing. Tara
Jasmin says
This recipe was perfect! So easy to make and delicious!
Debra Hultquist says
It was delicious and perfect!! Would be good to make in a winter day, so warm and lovely. Flavors are just excellent. I will put this one in my permanent rotation.