Butter Chicken = Chicken Makhani

I chose the easy recipe that required just throwing everything in the slow cooker. I don't have any garam masala so used a mixture of spices on hand. This is the sort of dish that comes with lots of variations. For all the different tweaks you can do, see the notes below.

• 2 lb chicken (I cut up breasts but recipes recommend thighs)
• 1 onion, chopped
• 6 cloves garlic, chopped
• 4 T butter
• 2 1/4 t ground cardamom (or 15 pods if you have them)
• 2 heaping t curry powder (I used a madras curry powder)
• 1 t cayenne (I subbed paprika but next time use pure chili powder)
• 2 t tandoori masala
• 1/2 t ground ginger (or use fresh)
• 1 t garam masala (or substitute: dash of cloves, 2 dashes of cinnamon, 1/2 t ground cumin, 1 bay leaf, 1/2 t paprika, 1/4 t chili powder [should be cayenne], optional: nutmeg, coriander, cardamom, black pepper) (and I threw in some turmeric)
• 1 can coconut milk
• 1 c natural yogurt (optional)
• 1/2 c + 2 T tomato sauce (should use paste)
• 2 T lemon juice (didn't have any)
• salt

1. Dump everything in the slow cooker. Cook on high for 3-4 hours, or low 6-8 hours.
2. Salt to taste. Serve with rice or naan.

Variations

• Use whole breasts, whole thighs, or cut up chicken.
• Optional: Marinate the chicken first.
• Optional: Stir fry cut up chicken, onions, garlic with the butter before adding to crock pot.
• Add the cup of yogurt 15 minutes before serving, not at the beginning.
• Add more garam masala or curry powder at end of cooking to adjust to taste.
• Add half cup of peas.
• Use frozen solid breasts on low for 8 hours.
• To make matching rice, use jasmine rice and use coconut milk as part of the liquid. Add cardamom and cinnamon. 
• Sprinkle freshly chopped cilantro over the dish.
• If you only have lite coconut milk, add 1-2 T shredded coconut.
• Use tabasco sauce in place of cayenne.
• Add a diced potato 2 hours before serving.
• Substitute cinnamon stick (or powder) for cardamom pods
• Use sour cream instead of yogurt; milk + coconut extract instead of coconut milk.
• Use a pressure cooker instead of a slow cooker to drastically speed up cooking time.
• Add 1/4 c finely ground cashews to thicken. Or ground almonds.
• Use 1 freshly chopped tomato instead of the tomato paste.