Welcome to the first recipe of my Lazy Dinner Series, I love to cook from scratch but like all of you, I’m a human and some times I can’t be assed. So instead, on these can’t be assed days I’ll reach for these fun, quick, tasty meals, that use simple unexpected ingredients!
If you’ve ever craved butter chicken but didn’t have the energy for marinating, blending, or a long list of spices… this one’s for you.
This lazy 3-ingredient butter chicken tastes shockingly close to NZ takeaway butter chicken. It’s creamy, mildly sweet, comforting, and requires almost zero effort. No chopping. No frying. Just dump, stir, and let the slow cooker do its thing.
It’s not traditional. It’s not “healthy” but it is real-life, busy-mum, end-of-day lazy magic.
Why This Lazy Butter Chicken Works
Most NZ takeaway butter chicken has a few key flavour notes:
Creamy mild slightly sweet rich, comforting, and familiar
This recipe nails that by using NZ tomato sauce, which is naturally sweeter than canned tomatoes or passata.
If you aren’t from NZ, Aus, or the UK your closest thing is probably ketchup. This will still work but tends to be thicker and sweeter than NZ tomato sauce.
When combined with coconut cream and curry powder, it creates that unmistakable takeaway flavour without extra sugar, butter, or long simmering.
Chicken thighs are the final secret. They stay juicy and tender even after hours in the slow cooker.
Here’s the recipe below:
Lazy 3-Ingredient Butter Chicken
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Dice chicken and place in slow cooker.
- Add tomato sauce, coconut cream, and curry powder.
- Stir until combined and cook on auto or high for 4 hours.
- Serve on rice or with naan, and garnish with cilantro.
Notes
Tips for the Best Takeaway-Style Result
- Use NZ tomato sauce – this is essential for the sweet, familiar flavour. If you can’t get this, ketchup is your next best option.
- Don’t swap chicken thighs for breast – thighs stay tender and soak up the sauce.
- Mild curry powder works best for that classic takeaway taste.
- If the sauce thickens too much, add a splash of water or extra coconut cream.
Is This Authentic Butter Chicken?
No and that’s the point.
This is a lazy, pantry-hack version inspired by NZ takeaway butter chicken, not a traditional Indian recipe. It’s designed for busy nights, tired brains, budgets and families who just want something warm and comforting on the table without effort.
More Lazy Takeaway-Vibe Dinners
If you loved this recipe, you might also enjoy:
Lazy 4-Ingredient Meatballs & Spaghetti
If you end up trying this recipe, please let me know how it went for you! I’d love hear your thoughts. Either comment below, use the contact page, or DM me in Instagram.
Love Jas x