Slow Cooker Butter Chicken
1 TB coconut(or olive) oil
1 yellow onion diced (about 1 cup)
1/2 tsp ground ginger (or 1 TB minced fresh ginger)
4 tsp minced garlic
1 ½ TB curry powder
1 TB garam masala
1 ½ tsp chili powder
¾ tsp kosher salt
1 (6-oz) can tomato paste (no salt added)
2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts about 4 medium breasts
About 4 1/2 c. chopped cauliflower florets (1 small cauliflower or 1/2 large head)
Optional- large diced potatoes, such as halved baby potatoes (maybe 2 cups)
1 (14-oz) can tomato sauce
2 TB unsalted butter cut into small pieces
1 can full-fat coconut milk
½ c. plain nonfat Greek yogurt
On stove, heat the coconut oil over medium high. Once hot, add the onion and cook until beginning to soften, about 5 minutes. Add the ginger, garlic, curry, garam masala, chili powder, salt, and tomato paste. Cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds.
Transfer half the onions mixture to a 6-quart or larger slow cooker. Lay the chicken on top, then the cauliflower florets (and diced potatoes if using), and top with can of tomato sauce. Stir to combine the florets and sauce a bit, leaving the chicken pieces undisturbed underneath. Scatter the butter pieces over the top.
Cover and cook on low for 4 to 6 hours or high for 1 1/2 to 2 1/2 hours until the chicken is cooked through. The cooking time may vary based on your slow cooker, so check early to ensure the chicken does not dry out. When the chicken is done, remove it to a cutting board and let cool slightly. Cut and return to slow cooker.
Give the contents of the slow cooker a big stir to coat the florets with the sauce. Recover the slow cooker and cook on HIGH until the florets are completely tender, about 30 minutes to 1 hour more. (If your florets are already tender, you can skip this step.)
Stir in the half-and-half (or coconut milk). Let cool a few minutes, then stir in the Greek yogurt. (Don't stir in the yogurt right away; if the butter chicken is too hot, it will curdle.)
Enjoy warm over brown rice, quinoa, pita or naan, sprinkled with fresh cilantro.
