Delish Instant Pot Butter Chicken

Butter Chicken is like a warm, inviting hug on a chilly night. Infinitely cozier, especially when it comes together with ease right in your Instant Pot. What’s not to love about tender chunks of chicken, smothered in a creamy, spiced sauce that makes your taste buds do a little happy dance? If flavor could win medals, this dish would be a gold medalist in comfort food Olympics. Swipe away the takeout menus, dear readers—you’re going to want to dive into this one.

Now, let me tell you a little something about how this recipe became a staple in my household. Picture this: it’s a weeknight, we’re all hustling and bustling until suddenly, it’s dinner time, and nothing’s prepped. Cue my husband and me eyeing each other nervously. But then, oh joy, the Instant Pot comes to the rescue with our now go-to meal—Butter Chicken! Not only does our little family swoon for this buttery delight, but it has also become a tradition to tweak and perfect it along the way.

How to Make It

So, there I am, a spatula in one hand, phone in the other, trying to avoid another week of packed schedules turning into frozen “dinners.” But then… the Instant Pot became my not-so-secret weapon! Just picture it: tossing in juicy chunks of chicken, rich tomato paste, and those aromatic spices that transform your kitchen into an alluring culinary haven. Don’t be shy to mix it well and let the flavors meld together. Didn’t get it right? No worries, even I didn’t, the first—let’s say several—times. Heavy cream is a must for that velvety texture. Just don’t try to rush it; the magic is worth the wait.

✔Ingredient Notes

– Chicken: You want it to stay juicy, so skinless thighs are your best friends. Trust me, the flavor’s unparalleled.
– Tomato Sauce: It’s the base, and you don’t want it thin. Watch out for the splatter, been there, scrubbed that.
– Heavy Cream: The creaminess that dreams are made of. Tried using milk once—cream is non-negotiable.
– Garlic: Go wild or tame—the more, the merrier, but a date later might lead to awkward questions.
– Garam Masala: Missing this is like skipping the main event. The spice mix that makes your butter chicken, well, butter chicken.

✔Recipe Steps

1. Chop and prep your chicken into the size that dreams are made of, slightly larger chunks work best.
2. Sauté onions and garlic in your Instant Pot until they hit that golden-brown, heavenly smell stage.
3. Add in all those glorious spices—coriander, turmeric, garam masala—and let the kitchen work its aromatic magic.
4. Pour in tomato sauce and mix. Get ready: your sauce is going to splutter like an enthusiastic toddler with a garden hose.
5. Toss in chicken pieces and cover them up with a comfortable blanket of sauce.
6. Cook, release, and stir in that luscious cream till everything’s silky smooth.

What to Serve It With

You’re looking at a match made in carb heaven if you pair this with some naan or perfectly fluffy basmati rice. Trust me, you’ll be sopping up every last bit of that sauce, and those carbs come in clutch!

✔Tips & Mistakes

– Overcook your chicken and it won’t be the dreamy bite it should be. Listen out for your Instant Pot cues—it doesn’t lie.
– Need more depth in flavor? Add a splash of lime; it brightens up the dish like nobody’s business.

✔Storage Tips

Tuck away leftovers in a snug container in the fridge. Lasts for three days but let’s be real—it’s not lasting past tomorrow. Cold? Still good. Breakfast? Been there…and not sorry!

✔Variations and Substitutions

If you’re out of chicken, turkey works, but keep the flavors beefed up (pun intended!). Don’t sweat over no garam masala; a blend of cinnamon, cumin, coriander, and ground cloves can sub in a pinch.

Frequently Asked Questions

Delish Instant Pot Butter Chicken

This creamy and flavorful Instant Pot Butter Chicken is a quick and satisfying take on the classic Indian dish, perfect for weeknight dinners.

No ratings yet

Rate This Yum Pin This Recipe For Later! Share The Yum On Facebook Print

Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes minutes

Total Time: 35 minutes minutes

Servings: 4

Calories: 120kcal

Ingredients

 

1x2x3x

Main Ingredients

• ▢ 1.5 lbs boneless skinless chicken thighs
• ▢ 2 tbsp butter
• ▢ 1 cup heavy cream
• ▢ 1 cup tomato sauce
• ▢ 1 tbsp garam masala
• ▢ 0.75 tsp ground turmeric
• ▢ 1 tsp paprika smoked if possible
• ▢ 0.5 tsp cayenne pepper adjust to taste
• ▢ 1 tbsp minced garlic
• ▢ 1 tbsp grated fresh ginger
• ▢ 0.25 cup chopped fresh cilantro for garnish

Instructions

Preparation Steps

• Set Instant Pot to saute mode and melt 1 tablespoon butter. Add minced garlic and grated ginger; cook until fragrant, about 1 minute.
• Add chicken thighs to the pot and brown on both sides for 3-4 minutes each.
• Stir in tomato sauce, heavy cream, garam masala, turmeric, paprika, cayenne pepper, and remaining butter. Mix well to combine.
• Close the lid and set the Instant Pot to manual high pressure for 10 minutes.
• After cooking, allow natural pressure release for 10 minutes, then release any remaining pressure manually.
• Open lid and stir the butter chicken. Garnish with chopped cilantro before serving.

Notes

For extra richness, serve with basmati rice or naan bread. Leftovers refrigerate well for up to 3 days.