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
Units
Scale
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