The Ultimate Slow Cooker Vegan Tofu Butter Chicken: Easy & Flavorful Meal Prep
This Slow Cooker Tofu Butter Chicken is even better than takeout! Incredibly rich in flavour and all one pot, this is great for meal prep all week long!
If you’re anything like me, Indian food holds a special place in your heart – and on your dinner table! For every celebration, big or small, or even just a cozy night in, it’s often my go-to cuisine. I’ve lost count of the times we’ve indulged in Indian takeout, savoring every aromatic bite. But as much as I adore the convenience of ordering in, there’s an immense satisfaction in recreating my favorite dishes right at home. This approach not only allows me to enjoy these incredible flavors whenever a craving strikes but also at a fraction of the cost. This Slow Cooker Tofu Butter Chicken recipe was born from that very desire, and let me tell you, friends – it delivers a taste experience so authentic, you’ll swear a professional chef prepared it just for you. Spoiler alert: this recipe is an absolute game-changer!
Seriously, this Slow Cooker Tofu Butter Chicken has quickly become one of the easiest and most delicious meals we’ve made all year. When I first considered making it, I admit I was a bit skeptical, primarily because I didn’t plan to pre-marinate the tofu. However, I am thrilled to report that my doubts were completely unfounded! The magic of slow cooking allows the vibrant, complex flavors of the sauce to deeply permeate and season the tofu, making it taste as if it had been marinating for a full 24 hours. The result is an incredibly creamy, intensely flavorful, and utterly delicious sauce that perfectly complements the tender tofu. And for those of you still battling chilly weather, this dish offers more than just comfort; it’s wonderfully heartwarming and perfect for bringing a cozy glow to any season.
While crafting this recipe, I made an important rediscovery: my deep affection for my slow cooker. It’s an invaluable kitchen tool, yet I realized I wasn’t utilizing it to its full potential. The truth is, many of us adore the idea of “set it and forget it” meals, but the thought of scrubbing a stubborn, food-encrusted slow cooker pot often deters us. This dread of cleanup can turn an otherwise convenient cooking method into a chore. That’s precisely where my secret weapon, and a key highlight of this post, comes into play.
Fun fact: I’m delighted to partner with Reynolds Kitchens for this recipe! For generations, Reynolds Kitchens has been a staple in countless households, including my own. I remember my mom always stocking up on their reliable aluminum foil and versatile parchment paper, a testament to their quality and utility in the kitchen. Their products have always made kitchen tasks a little bit easier, and their slow cooker liners are no exception.
I was particularly excited to incorporate their Slow Cooker Liners into this recipe. These liners do exactly what their name suggests: they create a protective barrier inside your slow cooker before you add any ingredients. I’ve fallen in love with them for several compelling reasons. First and foremost, they are BPA-free, which offers wonderful peace of mind for health-conscious cooks. Secondly, and perhaps most impressively, my slow cooker was sparkling clean in a jaw-dropping 8 seconds after use! If you’ve ever owned an older slow cooker, or even a newer one where food tends to stick (a struggle I know all too well from past experiences), then you understand the frustration of soaking and scrubbing for what feels like an eternity. That feeling of wanting to avoid the cleanup hassle, even when slow cooker meals are so convenient, is completely eliminated with these liners.
This is truly where the Slow Cooker Liners become an indispensable kitchen hero. They transform cleanup from a dreaded chore into an absolute breeze. Honestly, I wish I could apply this magical 8-second cleanup to every aspect of my life! After our delicious meal, we simply transferred the Tofu Butter Chicken into our storage containers, lifted out the slow cooker liner, and voilà – that was it! The pot beneath was pristine, with not a speck of stubborn residue. I knew it would make things easier, but the sheer delight of such a quick and effortless cleanup was truly unexpected and incredibly satisfying. It frees up so much time that would otherwise be spent scrubbing, allowing you to focus on enjoying your delicious meal and relaxing.
Adding to their convenience, Reynolds Kitchens Slow Cooker Liners are available in two different sizes. Whether you have a compact 1-3 QT slow cooker for smaller meals or a larger 3-8 QT model for feeding a crowd, you can easily find the perfect fit, ensuring every cooking experience is seamless and mess-free. This versatility means you can enjoy hassle-free cooking no matter the size of your gathering or your family’s needs.
Why You’ll Fall in Love with This Slow Cooker Tofu Butter Chicken
Beyond its incredible flavor and ease of preparation, there are countless reasons why this vegan butter chicken recipe deserves a permanent spot in your culinary rotation:
- Effortless Preparation: As a slow cooker recipe, it’s designed for maximum convenience. While the tofu presses, you simply gather and combine the other ingredients – no complicated steps or extensive hands-on time required. It’s truly a “dump and go” meal that fits perfectly into a busy lifestyle.
- Ultimate Comfort Food: Perfect for those freezing cold days or whenever you crave a comforting, hearty meal. Its rich, warm spices and creamy texture provide a cozy embrace that warms you from the inside out.
- Year-Round Versatility: While it’s fantastic in winter, this dish is equally delightful any time of the year. Its vibrant, well-balanced flavors are always a welcome addition to the dinner table, no matter the season.
- No Pre-Cooking Required: Forget about sautéing onions, ginger, or spices beforehand. All ingredients go directly into the slow cooker, simplifying the process and minimizing dirty dishes, making it genuinely easy.
- True One-Pot Wonder: Everything cooks together in a single pot, making both cooking and cleanup incredibly simple, especially when paired with a slow cooker liner. Fewer dishes mean more time for you!
- Deeply Flavorful Tofu: The long, slow cooking process allows the rich, aromatic sauce to deeply infuse into every piece of tofu, creating a tender, flavorful experience that mimics hours of marination, yielding perfectly seasoned tofu every time.
- Even Better as Leftovers: Like many great curries, the flavors continue to develop and meld overnight, making this dish taste even more amazing the next day. It’s perfect for meal prepping for the week ahead.
- Freezes Beautifully: Planning ahead? This butter chicken freezes wonderfully, making it ideal for batch cooking. Simply thaw and reheat for a quick and delicious meal anytime, without compromising on taste or texture.
- Feeds a Crowd: This recipe generously serves 6-8 people, guaranteeing plenty of leftovers for lunch or dinner throughout the week. Hello, leftover heaven and easy meal solutions!
Your Questions Answered (FAQ)
Can I freeze this Slow Cooker Tofu Butter Chicken?
Absolutely, this Tofu Butter Chicken freezes beautifully! To freeze, allow the dish to cool completely to room temperature. Then, transfer it to airtight, freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags, removing as much air as possible to prevent freezer burn. It can be stored in the freezer for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to enjoy it, simply thaw it overnight in the fridge. Reheat gently on the stovetop over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, or in the microwave until heated through. If the sauce seems a little thick after thawing, you can add a splash of vegetable broth or coconut milk to reach your desired consistency, stirring well to combine.
How long will this last in the fridge?
This delectable dish is an excellent choice for meal prep! When stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator, it will stay fresh and delicious for about 5-7 days. In fact, many people find that the flavors actually deepen and become even more harmonious after a day or two, making it perfect for enjoying throughout your busy week without any loss of quality.
What are the best serving suggestions for this dish?
For a complete and satisfying meal, we highly recommend serving this Slow Cooker Tofu Butter Chicken with fluffy basmati rice to soak up all that incredible, creamy sauce. Warm, freshly baked naan bread is also an absolute must for scooping and dipping. For an extra burst of freshness, garnish with chopped fresh cilantro leaves and an additional squeeze of lime juice. You could also serve it alongside a simple green salad or a side of steamed or roasted vegetables to add more color and nutrients to your plate.
I’m genuinely excited for you to try this recipe. It’s truly a standout, offering the complex, satisfying flavors of Indian cuisine with remarkable ease, all from the convenience of your slow cooker. I look forward to enjoying this for many dinners to come, and I hope you do too! While you’re at it, don’t forget to grab a package of Reynolds Kitchens Slow Cooker liners to make your cleanup just as effortless as your cooking. Eat up and enjoy, friends!
P.S. If your love for Indian recipes is as strong as mine, you’ll definitely want to explore my Coconut Chickpea Curry and my vibrant Aloo Gobi Masala. They’re equally delicious, plant-based, and perfect for expanding your Indian culinary repertoire.
Slow Cooker Tofu Butter Chicken (Vegan)
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Ingredients
- 2 ½ tablespoons garam masala
- 2 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1 teaspoon chilli powder
- 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 2 teaspoon curry powder
- 1/2 red onion, diced (135g)
- 2 teaspoons sea salt
- 2 14 oz each cans of coconut milk (28 ounces total)
- 12 ounces tomato paste
- 1/2 teaspoon dried fenugreek, optional
- 2 1lb blocks firm tofu, pressed for 30 minutes* (2 lbs in total)
- 2 teaspoons coconut sugar, or brown sugar optional
- juice of two limes
Instructions
- After the tofu is finished pressing, cut the pressed tofu into cubes, or tear into cube size pieces for extra texture.
- Turn your slow cooker on and to warm. Line your slow cooker with one Reynolds Kitchens Slow Cooker Liner according to the box’s directions.
- Into the Reynolds Kitchens Slow Cooker Liner, add all of the ingredients into the slow cooker except the tofu, coconut sugar and the lime.
- Whisk and mix together the ingredients and incorporate until the tomato paste is almost or completely mixed into the sauce.
- Add in the tofu, and stir gently, incorporating completely.
- Set the slow cooker to high for 3 to 4 hours or on low for 6-7 hours (for high, monitor the last 30 minutes and for low, monitor the last hour). At the end, stir in the lime juice and the coconut sugar. While the coconut sugar is optional, I found that it helped to really bring out some hidden flavours!
- Serve alongside naan bread and basmati rice and enjoy!
Disclaimer: Although jessicainthekitchen.com attempts to provide accurate nutritional information, kindly note that these are only estimates. Nutritional information may be affected based on the product type, the brand that was purchased, and in other unforeseeable ways. Jessicainthekitchen.com will not be held liable for any loss or damage resulting for your reliance on nutritional information. If you need to follow a specific caloric regimen, please consult your doctor first.