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This easy and flavorful slow cooker dairy free butter chicken with cauliflower rice is perfect for busy weeknights or anytime you’re craving rich Indian-inspired comfort food without the dairy. Tender chicken simmers in a bold, spiced tomato-based sauce made with coconut milk, garlic, ginger and curry paste. Served over cauliflower rice and topped with fresh cilantro, this dish is both wholesome and satisfying. With minimal prep and big flavor, it’s a slow cooker recipe worth adding to your regular rotation.
Slow cooker dairy free butter chicken is rich, bold and perfect for a cozy dinner. It features tender chicken and a creamy, coconut-based sauce.
You might also enjoy banana smoothies, copycat takeout recipes, chicken madras curry, and homemade poinsettia focaccia.
Why You’ll Love It
Easy prep: Let the slow cooker do most of the work while you go about your day.
Full of flavor: Packed with spices, aromatics and creamy coconut milk.
Dairy free: A great option for anyone avoiding dairy without sacrificing taste.
Low carb friendly: Served over cauliflower rice for a lighter twist.
Perfect for meal prep: Leftovers taste even better the next day.
Dairy Free Butter Chicken Ingredients
A complete list of ingredients and amounts can be found in the recipe card below.
Chicken breasts: Boneless, skinless chicken cut into chunks for easy slow cooking.
Lemon juice: Adds brightness and helps tenderize the chicken.
Cilantro leaves: A fresh garnish that lifts the final dish.
Cauliflower rice: A light, low carb base that complements the sauce.
Coconut oil: Used to sauté aromatics and add richness.
Ginger root: Brings a warm, spicy undertone.
Garlic: Adds depth and savory flavor.
Shallots: Milder than onions, they round out the base.
Red pepper flakes: Add a touch of heat.
Garam masala: A warming Indian spice blend for authentic flavor.
Red curry paste: Adds bold flavor and color.
Roasted tomatoes and tomato paste: Create a rich, thick base for the sauce.
Coconut milk: Adds creaminess and replaces dairy.
How to Make Butter Chicken Dairy Free
For more detailed instructions with weights and measurements, jump to the printable recipe card.
Marinate the chicken: Toss cubed chicken with lemon juice, salt and spices.
Make the sauce: Sauté aromatics, then blend with spices, tomatoes and curry paste.
Cook in the slow cooker: Add chicken and sauce, then cook until tender.
Add coconut milk: Stir in and let simmer to finish the sauce.
Prepare cauliflower rice: Cook frozen or fresh cauliflower rice for serving.
Assemble and serve: Plate the butter chicken over rice and garnish with cilantro.
Substitutions and Variations
Use chicken thighs: Swap the chicken breasts for thighs if you prefer dark meat.
Try another protein: Turkey or tofu would also work in this recipe.
Adjust the spice: Increase or decrease red pepper flakes to taste.
Swap curry paste: Use yellow or green curry paste for a twist.
Add vegetables: Stir in peas or spinach near the end of cooking.
Serving Suggestions
Appetizer: Begin your meal with some lentil curry soup.
With bread: This gluten free naan bread is the perfect accompaniment to butter chicken, along with the cauliflower rice. Or you can serve regular rice.
With another side: Enjoy rice paper samosas too.
Dessert: Finish your meal with some dragon fruit ice cream or strawberry sorbet.
How to Store Butter Chicken
Store: Leftovers will keep for up to 3 days in a covered container in the refrigerator.
Freeze: Freeze leftovers for up to 3 months.
Thaw: Defrost overnight in the refrigerator.
Reheat: Warm it back up in a pan on the stove. If reheating from thawed, stir well to re-emulsify the sauce if it has separated a bit.
Top Tips
Marinate for flavor: Even 15 minutes helps the chicken absorb flavor.
Blend the sauce well: A smooth sauce coats the chicken best.
Don’t skip the coconut milk: It adds creaminess without dairy.
Use frozen cauliflower rice: Saves time and still tastes great.
Dairy Free Butter Chicken FAQs
It has a mild to medium heat, but you can adjust the red pepper flakes to suit your taste.
A blender works just as well to create a smooth sauce.
Dairy Free Butter Chicken with Cauliflower Rice Recipe
Slow Cooker Dairy Free Butter Chicken
Equipment
- Skillet Large
- Food Processor or Blender
Ingredients
- 4 chicken breasts, boneless and skinless
- 1 lemon, juiced
- 1 Bunch cilantro leaves, for garnish
- 1 Head cauliflower, or a bag of steamable frozen cauliflower rice
For the Butter Chicken Sauce
- 1 Tablespoon coconut oil
- 1 Tablespoon ginger root
- 4 cloves garlic
- 2 shallots
- ½ Teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 3 Teaspoons garam masala
- ¼ Teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 Tablespoon red curry paste
- 1 Can roasted tomatoes, 14-Ounce
- 4 Tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 Can coconut milk
Instructions
Marinate the Chicken
- Cut chicken into cubes and place into a large mixing bowl. Juice the lemon into the bowl. In a small ramekin, mix red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper.
- Add to the bowl and toss chicken to coat. Let marinate for 15 minutes.
Make the Butter Chicken Sauce
- Heat a skillet over medium heat. Add coconut oil to the skillet and melt. Once melted, add chopped ginger root, crushed garlic, and minced shallot.
- Sauté for 3 minutes and remove from heat.
- Puree ginger, garlic and shallot mixture in a food processor.
- Add garam masala, black pepper, sea salt, red curry paste, roasted diced tomatoes (undrained), and tomato paste. Blend until smooth.
Slow Cook the Butter Chicken
- Add chicken to the slow cooker. Pour sauce on top and stir to coat. Cover, and cook on high for 4 hours, or on low for 6 hours.
- After the chicken has finished cooking, stir in the coconut milk. Cover and let simmer on low for 15 minutes.
Make the Cauliflower Rice
- Prepare cauliflower rice according to the package. I use the frozen steamable bags for this step to save time, but feel free to make your own. To do this, simply grate a head of cauliflower and add to a skillet with 1 tablespoon of coconut oil. Sauté for 5 minutes.
Serve and Enjoy
- Serve butter chicken over cauliflower rice with naan bread. Garnish with fresh cilantro and enjoy
Notes
Blend the sauce well: A smooth sauce coats the chicken best.
Don’t skip the coconut milk: It adds creaminess without dairy.
Use frozen cauliflower rice: Saves time and still tastes great.
Nutrition
If you’re looking for a flavorful and satisfying slow cooker recipe that fits a dairy free lifestyle, this slow cooker dairy free butter chicken is just the thing. With tender chicken, a rich and creamy sauce, and the warmth of Indian spices, it’s a recipe that hits all the right notes. It’s easy to prep, packed with flavor and pairs beautifully with cauliflower rice, naan or your favorite sides. Make it once, and it might become a weeknight favorite.
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Bella Bucchiotti
Bella Bucchiotti is a Canadian-based syndicated food, travel, and lifestyle writer, photographer, and creator at xoxoBella. She founded xoxoBella in 2015, where she shares her love for food, dogs, sustainability, fitness, crafts, outdoor adventures, travel, and philanthropy to encourage others to run the extra mile, try new recipes, visit unfamiliar places, and stand for a cause. Bella creates stress-free and family-friendly recipes for weeknight dinners and festive feasts.
This was the easiest butter chicken I’ve ever made, and it was absolutely packed with flavor. The cauliflower rice soaked up all that creamy (but dairy-free!) sauce beautifully.
This recipe is the bomb! So flavorful and easy to prepare! Absolutely my new fave. 👌
The best butter chicken I have. Thanks for sharing this recipe with us.
I’ve made butter chicken the traditional way before with lots of butter but I was cooking for a friend and she can’t have dairy, so I made this and the coconut oil made it so rich and creamy. I think I’ll make it this way again in future. So yummy.
I have only had butter chicken once in my life. I should try making this! I love naan so much.
Oh yummy! We love curry! This looks so easy and tasty!
This looks amazing! Love the healthier spin on it as well, limiting my dairy and carbs is always a bonus!
This looks delicious! So creamy, I seriously need to get a slow cooker
Oh yum, I don’t think I’ve ever had anything like this before. I’ll have to try it!