Basic curry powder turns bitter after six hours in a slow cooker, so stick with Madras curry powder. By tradition, this dish can be garnished with any or all of the following: sliced toasted almonds, shredded coconut, diced Granny Smith apples, and diced banana. Steamed long-grain rice is a must. Unlike beef, which can be browned and chilled the night before it goes into the slow cooker, once the chicken is browned it should be cooked right away.

Directions
1. Season chicken with salt and pepper. Heat oil in large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add chicken and brown on both sides, about 10 minutes. Slightly cool chicken on plate, remove and discard skin, and transfer chicken to slow-cooker insert.

2. Discard all but 1 tablespoon fat from skillet and return pan to medium-high heat. Add onions, bell pepper, and 1/2 teaspoon salt and cook until vegetables soften, about 5 minutes. Add broth, tomatoes, and tomato paste and, using wooden spoon, scrape up browned bits from pan bottom. Simmer until thick and smooth, about 2 minutes. Off heat, stir in chutney, garlic, curry powder, paprika, thyme, and cayenne. Pour mixture into slow-cooker insert, submerging chicken in sauce.

3. Cover and cook on low until chicken is tender, about 6 hours. Turn off slow cooker, remove lid, and gently stir sauce to recombine. Replace lid and let stand for about 15 minutes to thicken sauce before serving.