If you’re craving a rich, creamy, and flavorful dinner without hours of cooking, this Instant Pot Butter Chicken recipe is your new best friend. Experience rich, creamy Instant Pot Butter Chicken made fast and easy, perfect for a delicious meal in under 30 minutes that bursts with authentic Indian spices and velvety tomato sauce. Whether you’re new to cooking or an experienced home chef, this recipe streamlines traditional butter chicken into a powerhouse of comfort and taste using your Instant Pot.
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Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Speedy Cooking: Ready in under 30 minutes, making weeknight dinners a breeze.
- Effortless Preparation: Minimal hands-on time thanks to the Instant Pot’s pressure cooking.
- Deep, Authentic Flavor: Layers of Indian spices develop beautifully for a rich taste.
- Creamy and Satisfying: Smooth tomato sauce with butter and cream creates the perfect texture.
- Family-Friendly: Mild but packed with flavor, it’s a hit with kids and adults alike.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Each ingredient in this Instant Pot Butter Chicken is thoughtfully chosen to build layers of flavor, texture, and color, keeping the recipe simple but incredibly satisfying.
- Chicken thighs: Boneless and skinless for tender, juicy meat that soaks up the sauce.
- Butter: Adds richness and silkiness to the dish’s signature sauce.
- Tomato puree: The base for the sauce, providing tanginess and vibrant color.
- Heavy cream: Brings a luscious, creamy finish and balances the spices.
- Garlic and ginger paste: Essential aromatics that add depth and warmth.
- Spices: Garam masala, cumin, coriander, turmeric, and chili powder for authentic Indian flavor.
- Onion: Finely chopped to caramelize and add sweetness to the sauce.
- Salt and pepper: Simple seasonings to enhance all the vibrant flavors.
Variations
Feel free to tweak this recipe to suit your tastes or dietary preferences; Instant Pot Butter Chicken is incredibly adaptable with just a few tweaks.
- Use chicken breast: Swap thighs for leaner chicken breast, but watch cooking time closely to avoid dryness.
- Dairy-free version: Replace butter and cream with coconut milk and oil for a creamy, dairy-free delight.
- Spicy kick: Add extra chili powder or chopped green chilies for more heat.
- Vegan adaptation: Use tofu or chickpeas and coconut cream for a plant-based alternative.
- Smoky flavor: Incorporate smoked paprika or char the chicken slightly before cooking.
How to Make Instant Pot Butter Chicken
Step 1: Prepare the Aromatics
Turn on the Instant Pot to sauté mode, melt the butter, then add finely chopped onions, garlic, and ginger paste. Cook until the onions are soft and golden, releasing their natural sweetness and building the flavor foundation.
Step 2: Add Spices
Sprinkle in garam masala, cumin, coriander, turmeric, chili powder, salt, and pepper. Stir for about a minute to toast the spices gently—this step unlocks the spices’ full fragrance and depth.
Step 3: Add Chicken
Place the boneless chicken thighs into the pot, stirring to coat every piece in the spiced onion mixture, ensuring each bite will be bursting with flavor.
Step 4: Pour in Tomato Puree
Pour in the tomato puree, scrapping up any bits stuck to the bottom of the pot to mix all those flavorful bits evenly throughout the dish.
Step 5: Pressure Cook
Seal the Instant Pot lid and set it to pressure cook on high for 8 minutes. This quick pressure cooking ensures the chicken is perfectly tender and infused with the stunning sauce.
Step 6: Finish with Cream
Once cooking is complete, carefully release the pressure. Stir in heavy cream to add that creamy, silky texture that makes butter chicken so irresistible. Let it simmer for a few minutes on sauté to thicken slightly before serving.
Pro Tips for Making Instant Pot Butter Chicken
- Use fresh ginger and garlic paste: Fresh paste brings a brighter aroma and better taste than powders.
- Don’t skip sautéing the spices: Toasting spices unlocks their full potential and prevents raw flavors.
- Choose chicken thighs: Thighs stay juicy and tender under pressure cooking better than breast.
- Scrape the bottom: After adding tomato puree, stir to prevent burn notices and build flavor.
- Adjust creaminess last: Stir in heavy cream at the end to avoid curdling and keep sauce silky.
How to Serve Instant Pot Butter Chicken
Garnishes
Top your butter chicken with freshly chopped cilantro leaves and a drizzle of cream or a dollop of yogurt for freshness and extra richness.
Side Dishes
Serve alongside fluffy basmati rice, warm garlic naan, or a simple cucumber raita to balance the dish’s richness and add cooling flavors.
Creative Ways to Present
For a casual meal, pile over rice bowls and scatter with roasted cashews or toasted almonds. For elegant presentation, spoon into shallow bowls, swirling cream on top and adding edible flowers or microgreens as a garnish.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Transfer leftovers into airtight containers and store in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. The flavors will deepen, making your next meal even more delicious.
Freezing
Butter chicken freezes beautifully. Cool completely, portion into freezer-safe containers, and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
Reheating
Reheat gently on the stove over low heat or in the microwave in short bursts, stirring frequently to preserve creaminess and prevent sauce separation.
FAQs
Can I use frozen chicken for this Instant Pot Butter Chicken?
Yes, you can use frozen chicken thighs, but increase pressure cooking time by 3 to 5 minutes to ensure thorough cooking.
Is Instant Pot Butter Chicken spicy?
This recipe is moderately spiced with a mild heat, but you can easily adjust spice levels by varying chili powder or adding fresh chilies.
Can I make this recipe gluten-free?
Absolutely! All the ingredients are naturally gluten-free. Just be sure your spices or tomato puree do not contain any additives with gluten.
What can I substitute for heavy cream?
Coconut cream or full-fat coconut milk makes a great dairy-free alternative, offering a slightly different but equally creamy texture.
Can I make this recipe in a slow cooker?
Yes, but it will take longer—about 4 to 5 hours on low or 2 to 3 hours on high. Make sure to sauté the onions and spices beforehand for the best flavor.
Final Thoughts
Give this Instant Pot Butter Chicken a try and discover how easy it is to create a restaurant-quality dish right at home. The quick cooking time, rich flavors, and creamy texture will make this recipe a permanent favorite in your dinner rotation. Enjoy your delicious, effortless meal!
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Instant Pot Butter Chicken
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Pressure Cooking
- Cuisine: Indian
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
Instant Pot Butter Chicken is a rich, creamy, and flavorful Indian-inspired dish made quickly and easily in under 30 minutes. Using boneless chicken thighs cooked in a velvety tomato-based sauce infused with aromatic spices, butter, and cream, this recipe delivers authentic taste with minimal effort, perfect for weeknight dinners or any occasion.
Ingredients
Protein
- 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs
Dairy & Fats
- 3 tbsp butter
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
Produce & Aromatics
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 1 tbsp garlic paste
- 1 tbsp ginger paste
Tomato Base
- 1 cup tomato puree
Spices & Seasonings
- 1 tsp garam masala
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp ground coriander
- 1/2 tsp turmeric powder
- 1 tsp chili powder (adjust to taste)
- Salt to taste
- Black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the Aromatics: Turn on the Instant Pot to sauté mode, melt the butter, then add finely chopped onions, garlic, and ginger paste. Cook until the onions are soft and golden, releasing their natural sweetness and building the flavor foundation.
- Add Spices: Sprinkle in garam masala, cumin, coriander, turmeric, chili powder, salt, and pepper. Stir for about a minute to toast the spices gently—this step unlocks the spices’ full fragrance and depth.
- Add Chicken: Place the boneless chicken thighs into the pot, stirring to coat every piece in the spiced onion mixture, ensuring each bite will be bursting with flavor.
- Pour in Tomato Puree: Pour in the tomato puree, scraping up any bits stuck to the bottom of the pot to mix all those flavorful bits evenly throughout the dish.
- Pressure Cook: Seal the Instant Pot lid and set it to pressure cook on high for 8 minutes. This quick pressure cooking ensures the chicken is perfectly tender and infused with the stunning sauce.
- Finish with Cream: Once cooking is complete, carefully release the pressure. Stir in heavy cream to add that creamy, silky texture that makes butter chicken so irresistible. Let it simmer for a few minutes on sauté mode to thicken slightly before serving.
Notes
- Use fresh ginger and garlic paste for brighter aroma and better taste.
- Don’t skip sautéing the spices to unlock their full flavor and avoid raw taste.
- Chicken thighs remain juicier and more tender than breasts under pressure cooking.
- Scrape the bottom after adding tomato puree to prevent burn notices and build flavor.
- Stir in heavy cream last to prevent curdling and keep sauce silky.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 500mg
- Fat: 25g
- Saturated Fat: 15g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 8g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 110mg