Healthy Slow Cooker Chicken Tikka Masala

Craving something warm, creamy, ridiculously flavorful and just a little more exciting than another night of plain chicken? This Slow Cooker Chicken Tikka Masala brings serious flavor without turning dinner into a full-blown kitchen project.

Healthy Chicken Tikka Masala in a Slow Cooker

Tender chicken slowly cooks in a rich tomato sauce loaded with garlic, ginger and warm spices like garam masala, cumin and coriander. Then Greek yogurt swoops in at the end to make everything creamy and luxurious without relying on heavy cream.

Even better, the slow cooker handles most of the work. Add everything, walk away and let dinner make the house smell amazing while you pretend you worked much harder than you actually did.

Why You'll Love This Slow Cooker Chicken Tikka Masala

There are plenty of reasons this recipe deserves a regular spot in the dinner rotation, but the biggest one might be how much flavor you get for so little effort. The slow cooker gives the spices hours to mingle with the tomato sauce and chicken, creating a sauce that tastes like it spent all day being fussed over. Technically, it did spend all day cooking… you just didn't have to stand there watching it.

It's also incredibly easy to customize. Keep it mild for the whole family, add more heat if you like things spicy or pile it over rice, cauliflower rice or vegetables depending on what fits your goals. And because this version uses lean chicken breast and Greek yogurt, it gives you that creamy comfort-food feeling without making dinner unnecessarily heavy.

How Healthy is Indian Food for Weight Watchers Plans?

Indian cuisine tends to be more “Vegetable forward”. In other words, entrees tend to highlight vegetables as the main component with a meat protein more on the sidelines. This way of eating decreases your sugar intake, increases your vegetable and protein intake and ultimately leads to healthier eating choices.

If you like yogurt based, vegetable forward dishes, check out my recipe for Carrot Tarator!
It is a Turkish carrot dip you will love!

What is the difference between Chicken Tikka and Tikka Masala?

The definition of the words Tikka and Masala can help in remembering the differences between the two dishes. Tikka means pieces of meat or vegetables that are marinated and then baked in a tandoor oven on a large skewer. Masala translates into spices crushed into a paste or “curry”, depending on the translation.

This distinction between the cooking process helps determine the difference between Chicken Tikka and Tikka Masala. Chicken Tikka and Tikka Masala are very similar dishes until it is time to serve them. The chicken is marinated in a blend of yogurt and spices before being cooked. This is where it ends up on your plate as Chicken Tikka. If you take it a step further and add the rich tomato cream sauce, it becomes Tikka Masala. For this recipe, we swapped the heavy cream in the traditional recipe for a nonfat plain yogurt for the rich flavor without the fat and calories.

What makes Chicken Tikka Masala a healthy meal?

When you make chicken tikka masala from scratch, you control what is going into it. If you break down the ingredients in this recipe, there are numerous health benefits that can be gained from indulging in this dish, especially chicken tikka masala spices!

• Chicken: low in fat and high in protein.
• Nonfat Yogurt: high in protein and calcium
• Garlic: Lowers blood pressure, blood sugar and cholesterol, rich in anti-oxidants
• Garam Masala: Contains anti-inflammatory properties, as well as being known to lower cholesterol and blood sugar.
• Coriander: Contains high amounts of iron to benefit blood circulation, anti-inflammatory, anti-septic properties
• Cumin: Aids in digestion, improves immunity and promotes fat reduction

With all of these benefits in mind, Chicken Tikka Masala is a powerhouse of nutrition!

What is Chicken Tikka Masala served with?

Most often, it is served with a simple side of jasmine rice. However, white rice is something that we steer away from because it is high in points. In this instance, I would recommend using riced cauliflower if you are looking for a similar texture. During my weekly WW meal prep, I love to incorporate side dishes with robust flavors. Roasting vegetables with similar spices to the main dish creates a composed meal. When you stick to vegetables or a side salad, you could have a filling meal for low WW points!

Can I Have Naan?

If you are craving naan, (trust me, I love it too), I did find a wonderful recipe for Garlic Naan that is low in points. When you really need that taste of bread to soak up the extra sauce, this is the recipe to use. It also freezes well so you can save it for the next craving or use it to accompany a low points lunch bowl.

The Secret's in the Spices: Crafting the Perfect Masala

Spices are the soul of Indian cuisine, and getting them right is crucial. We'll start with turmeric, known for its anti-inflammatory properties, followed by cumin and coriander for an earthy base. Garam masala will bring in a hint of sweetness and warmth, while paprika provides a smoky undertone. Together, they create a symphony of flavors that's the hallmark of a truly authentic Chicken Tikka Masala.

Can I Use A Store Bought Tikka Masala Sauce?

There are many different brands of Tikka Masala Sauce available in the grocery stores. However, most of them are cream based which increases your points. One of the great things about this easy chicken tikka masala recipe is that you are using nonfat yogurt instead of cream which is healthier overall and doesn't alter the flavor too much.

How do you make Slow Cooker Chicken Tikka Masala?

Slow Cooking: The Art of Flavor Alchemy

Now, let's talk about why we're using a slow cooker for this dish. Slow cooking is a form of culinary magic where time itself becomes an ingredient. As our Chicken Tikka Masala gently simmers, the spices meld, the chicken tenderizes, and the sauce thickens, resulting in flavors that are both robust and nuanced. It's a method that allows the busy bees among us to prepare a meal that tastes like we've toiled for hours — while actually letting the slow cooker do all the heavy lifting.

*Pro Tip: The longer the chicken cooks, the easier it will be to shred. If you choose to shred it, you can use it on top of salads, in meal prep dishes for lunch during the week or wrapped in lettuce for wraps.

Slow Cooker Recipes for Weight Watchers

• Rainbow Chili
• Summer Crab Crockpot
• Chicken Tikka Masala

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