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If you love rich, creamy, and perfectly spiced Indian butter chicken but don’t want to spend hours in the kitchen, this Instant Pot Butter Chicken is for you! It’s a one-pot wonder that delivers all the comforting flavors of your favorite takeout dish—without the hassle. Plus, no need to marinate the chicken for hours; the pressure cooker infuses all the flavors in minutes!
👉 Ingredients
For the Chicken & Sauce:
- 1 ½ lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs (or breasts), cut into chunks
- 2 tablespoons butter (or ghee for extra flavor)
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon grated ginger
- 1 can (14 oz) crushed tomatoes
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon garam masala
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon ground coriander
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon turmeric
- ½ teaspoon chili powder (adjust to taste)
- ½ cup heavy cream (or coconut milk for a dairy-free version)
For Serving:
- Cooked basmati rice or naan
- Fresh cilantro for garnish
👉 Directions
Step 1: Sauté the Aromatics
- Set your Instant Pot to “Sauté” mode and melt the butter.
- Add the chopped onion and cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring, until soft.
- Stir in the garlic and ginger, cooking for another 30 seconds until fragrant.
Step 2: Add the Spices & Chicken
- Add garam masala, cumin, coriander, paprika, turmeric, chili powder, and salt. Stir well to toast the spices for about 30 seconds.
- Toss in the chicken pieces, stirring to coat them in the flavorful mixture.
Step 3: Pressure Cook
- Pour in the crushed tomatoes and stir everything together.
- Lock the Instant Pot lid, set the valve to “Sealing”, and cook on High Pressure for 8 minutes.
- Once done, allow a 5-minute natural release, then do a quick release for any remaining pressure.
Step 4: Make It Creamy
- Open the lid and stir in the heavy cream (or coconut milk).
- If you prefer a smoother sauce, use an immersion blender to blend before adding the cream.
Step 5: Serve & Enjoy
- Spoon the butter chicken over steamed basmati rice or serve with naan.
- Garnish with fresh cilantro, and enjoy!
⭐ What Sides Go Well with This Dish?
- Steamed Basmati Rice – The perfect base to soak up all that creamy sauce.
- Warm Naan Bread – Great for scooping up every last bite.
- Cucumber Raita – A cool, refreshing yogurt-based side to balance the heat.
🔄 Time-Saving Tips
- Use pre-minced garlic and ginger (found in jars) to cut down on prep time.
- No need to marinate the chicken—the Instant Pot takes care of infusing the flavors!
- Swap fresh onions for frozen pre-chopped onions to save even more time.
🧒 Kid-Friendly Tweaks
- Reduce or skip the chili powder for a milder version.
- Stir in a little extra cream at the end for an even smoother, milder taste.
- Serve with plain naan or buttered rice if your little ones aren’t big on spice.
🔄 Ingredient Swaps
- No heavy cream? Use coconut milk or Greek yogurt.
- No chicken thighs? Chicken breasts work too, but thighs stay juicier.
- No crushed tomatoes? Blend canned diced tomatoes or use tomato sauce.
This Instant Pot Butter Chicken is a total weeknight lifesaver—quick, easy, and packed with bold flavors! Whether you’re feeding a crowd or just craving something cozy, this dish hits the spot. Try it out and let me know how your family loves it! 🍛💕
