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Instant Pot Butter Chicken

Instant Pot Butter Chicken

The ultimate comfort food, Instant Pot Butter Chicken is creamy, rich, and bursting with flavor. This easy weeknight dinner is perfect for those craving a satisfying, homemade meal. You’ll want to make it tonight!
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: Indian
Calories: 540

Ingredients
  

  • 2 pounds Chicken thighs cut into small bite-size chunks, or breasts
  • 4 tablespoons Butter
  • ½ Onion finely chopped
  • 5-6 cloves Garlic minced
  • 1 tablespoon Ginger minced or finely grated
  • 1 tablespoon Garam masala
  • 1 tablespoon Smoked paprika
  • 1 tablespoon Curry powder
  • 1 teaspoon Ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon Salt
  • 8 oz Tomato sauce (or 1 cup tomato puree)
  • 2 tablespoons Tomato paste or replace with 1/2 cup more tomato sauce
  • ¾ cup Water or chicken broth
  • 1 cup Heavy cream can substitute with evaporated milk or coconut cream or coconut milk, or Greek yogurt
  • ¼ cup Cilantro leaves chopped fresh

Equipment

  • Instant Pot
  • Serving Bowls
  • Cutting Board

Method
 

  1. Turn on your Instant Pot and set it to the sauté function. Once it’s hot, add the butter and let it melt. Then, toss in the finely chopped onion. Sauté for about two to three minutes until the onion starts to turn golden brown.
  2. Add the minced garlic and ginger to the pot. Stir them in and sauté for another minute, allowing the flavors to meld together.
  3. Next, add in the garam masala, smoked paprika, and curry powder. Stir well to coat the onions, garlic, and ginger with the spices.
  4. Now, it’s time to introduce the star of the dish. Add the chicken pieces and stir to coat them with the spice mixture. Sauté for about four to five minutes, letting the chicken brown slightly.
  5. Pour in the tomato sauce and tomato paste, stirring to combine everything thoroughly. At this point, add the water or chicken broth.
  6. Cover the Instant Pot with the lid, ensuring the vent is set to sealing. Using the manual setting, set the pressure to high for ten minutes.
  7. After cooking, you can either allow the pressure to release naturally or quick release it according to your preference.
  8. Switch the setting to simmer and stir in the heavy cream and chopped cilantro. Allow it to simmer for an additional three to four minutes, letting the sauce thicken slightly.
  9. Finally, serve your Instant Pot Butter Chicken over fluffy basmati rice or with naan. Garnish with more cilantro if desired, and enjoy!

Notes

  • Tip 1: If you will be serving the butter chicken with rice, cook the rice while the butter chicken is cooking in the instant pot.
  • Tip 2: Cream substitutes such as coconut cream or milk can be used in place of heavy cream but be sure to add it at the very end.
  • Tip 3: Curry powder is a mixture of spices that can be found at local grocery stores or Asian markets.
  • Tip 4: Chicken breasts can also be used instead of chicken thighs. The cooking time will not change.
  • Tip 5: Doubling or halving the recipe will not change the cooking time.