Instant Pot Butter Chicken
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 5 cloves garlic
about 5 teaspoons, minced or crushed
- 2 inch fresh ginger root)
grated (about 2 tablespoons
- 2 teaspoons garam masala
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon ground turmeric
- ½ teaspoon chili powder
optional
- 1 teaspoon salt
add more if needed
- 2 pounds chicken thighs
skinless, boneless, diced into bite-size pieces
- 1 15-ounce can tomato sauce
or passata
- 1 cup heavy whipping cream
or coconut milk, or half and half*
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
or mint or cilantro, for garnish
Directions
- 1
On the Instant Pot press on SAUTE and melt the butter. Add the garlic and ginger, and cook until fragrant (about 1 minute).
- 2
Add all of the spices, and the salt, stir, and cook for a minute. You might want to deglaze the pot at this point if the mixture is stuck to the bottom of the pot, just add a splash of water and scrape off any stuck bits with a wooden spoon. Then add the tomato sauce (passata) and a ¼ cup of water. Switch off the saute setting.
- 3
Add the chicken thighs, give everything a mix.
- 4
Secure the lid and set the vent to SEALING. Select the PRESSURE COOK/MANUAL setting and set the cooking time for 6 minutes at high pressure. The Instant Pot will take around 10 minutes to come to pressure and start cooking. When the cooking program ends, quickly release the steam.
- 5
Carefully remove the lid, and press on SAUTE. Stir in the cream, and allow the sauce to reduce a little (season with more salt if necessary). Taste the sauce and see if you need to add a little bit more salt. Serve warm over rice with chopped parsley or cilantro.
Instant Pot Butter Chicken
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About this Recipe
Craving the rich, fragrant flavors of authentic Indian butter chicken but short on time? This Instant Pot Butter Chicken recipe is your answer, delivering a super creamy, comforting, and healthy dish with incredible ease.What sets this recipe apart is its ingenious use of the Instant Pot, which makes preparing this beloved Indian classic faster and simpler than ever before. You'll achieve incredibly tender chicken and a deeply flavorful, velvety sauce that tastes like it simmered for hours, all while requiring minimal hands-on effort.Get ready for an irresistible sensory experience. The moment you open your Instant Pot, you'll be greeted by the intoxicating aroma of freshly grated ginger, minced garlic, and a symphony of warm spices—garam masala, ground cumin, smoked paprika, and turmeric—all melding beautifully. Each bite promises succulent, bite-sized chicken thighs enveloped in a luscious, super creamy tomato-based sauce, offering a harmonious balance of savory and subtly sweet notes. It’s a wonderfully comforting and healthy Indian dish that truly satisfies.This versatile recipe adapts beautifully to your dietary needs or what you have on hand. Achieve that signature creamy texture with heavy whipping cream, or opt for coconut milk for a dairy-free alternative and a hint of tropical richness. If you prefer a lighter sauce, half and half works perfectly. To finish, choose your favorite fresh herb garnish: vibrant parsley, refreshing mint, or classic cilantro all add a lovely flourish. You can even adjust the heat to your liking by including or omitting the optional chili powder.This easy Instant Pot Butter Chicken is ideal for a comforting family dinner on a busy weeknight or a delicious meal to impress guests without stress. Pair it with warm naan bread for dipping, or serve over fluffy basmati rice to perfectly complement its rich and fragrant sauce.