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Homemade 30 Minute Instant Pot Butter Chicken photo

30 Minute Instant Pot Butter Chicken

Rich, creamy butter chicken made quickly in the Instant Pot for a weeknight meal.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 4 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 2 pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs or breasts cut into small bite-size chunks
  • 4 tablespoons butter
  • 1/2 onion finely chopped
  • 5-6 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 tablespoon fresh ginger minced or finely grated
  • 1 tablespoon garam masala
  • 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
  • 1 tablespoon curry powder
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 8 oz (1 cup) tomato sauce or 1 cup tomato puree
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste or replace with 1/2 cup more tomato sauce
  • 3/4 cup water or chicken broth
  • 1 cup heavy cream can substitute evaporated milk, coconut cream, coconut milk, or Greek yogurt; add at the end
  • 1/4 cup fresh cilantro chopped leaves

Equipment

  • Instant Pot or electric pressure cooker
  • Cutting Board
  • Chef’s knife
  • Measuring Spoons
  • Measuring Cups
  • Spatula or wooden spoon
  • Serving bowls

Method
 

  1. Set the Instant Pot to the sauté setting and add the butter. When the butter melts, add the chopped onion and cook 2–3 minutes until it begins to soften and turn golden.
  2. Add the minced garlic and grated ginger and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant.
  3. Stir in garam masala, smoked paprika, curry powder, ground cumin, and salt until the spices are evenly coated with the butter-onion mixture.
  4. Add the tomato sauce and tomato paste, then add the chicken pieces and sauté 4–5 minutes, stirring so the chicken is coated with the sauce and spices.
  5. Pour in 3/4 cup water or chicken broth and scrape any browned bits from the bottom. Secure the lid and set the Instant Pot to Manual/High pressure for 10 minutes.
  6. When the cook time finishes, allow the pressure to release naturally or perform a quick release following the manufacturer's instructions, then open the lid.
  7. Switch the pot to the simmer or sauté setting and stir in the heavy cream and chopped cilantro. Simmer 3–4 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly.
  8. Taste and adjust salt if needed, then serve hot with basmati rice or naan.

Notes

  • Cook rice while the butter chicken is pressure cooking so both finish together.
  • Substitute coconut cream, coconut milk, evaporated milk, or Greek yogurt for heavy cream and add at the end.
  • Curry powder typically contains coriander, fenugreek, and turmeric.
  • Chicken breasts can be used instead of thighs without changing cook time.
  • Doubling or halving the recipe does not change the pressure cooking time.