Butter Chicken Recipe

Instant Pot Butter Chicken, Butter Chicken cannot be ignored with its richness that includes tomato-based sauce, tender chicken, and strong aromatic spices. This recipe in the Instant Pot makes cooking easy without letting flavor be down, so that you would have restaurant-made food in half the time it would take to prepare that in restaurants.

Also read more: How to make Red Beans and Rice Recipes

Butter Chicken Ingredients Needed  

Here’s what you will need to make Instant Pot Butter Chicken:

• Chicken breasts: You’ll want to use breasts, although boneless work very well, too.
• Onion: Red onions or shallots, which are used in most countries of Asia, or just any onion would do very well.
• Butter: The butter is what makes this recipe so completely creamy.
• Chopped garlic: you can either chop fresh garlic yourself, or the stuff that comes in a jar.
• Tomato sauce: you can use shop bought or make your own if you like.
• Tomato paste: must be in the can goods section of any supermarket, among all other canned tomato products.
• Paprika: This is yet another of the strong spices to flavor the chicken
• Chili powder: Amongst another of the spices featured here that makes this chicken so succulent is manufactured from dried and ground chilies.
• Curry powder: This is an Indian spice mix that just brings the flavor out. 
• Cumin: This is another Indian/Middle Eastern spice that is really used in abundance here in the recipe. It is also very traditional to use in Mexican cooking.
• Cilantro: Get a bunch from the produce section.
• Whipped cream: This is a requirement for that creamy consistency.

How to make Butter Chicken in the Instant Pot

Marinate at least for 30 minutes or even overnight in the fridge to let flavors penetrate deeper.

Sauté in the Instant Pot:

Let the Instant Pot set to ‘Sauté’ and let the butter or ghee melt, then sauté the onions till golden brown. Let the garlic, ginger, ground spices like coriander, cumin, and a dash of cayenne pepper follow which will cook till fragrant.

Add the Chicken and Sauce Ingredients:

Add the marinated chicken to the pot, cook 2-3 minutes, with frequent stirring; then add crushed tomatoes and mix well. 

Pressure Cook:

Close the lid. Use ‘Pressure Cook’ or ‘Manual’ mode, high pressure, 6 minutes. When it is done, let the pressure come down naturally for 10 minutes, then quickly release the rest of the pressure.

Complete with Cream

Open the cover and put Instant Pot back to ‘Sauté’ mode again. Add heavy cream or coconut milk. Simmer for 2-3 minutes, till it thickens as desired. Taste and add salt or pepper if it needs it.

Serve with Garnishes:

Serve butter chicken over basmati rice or warm naan. Decorate with fresh cilantro and a squeeze of cream for a classic and authentic finish.

Tips on How to Make the Best Butter Chicken:

• Use Chicken Thighs: Thighs are tender and juicy compared to breasts and therefore suitable for pressure cooking.
• Adjust Spices: Use less cayenne or even omit if you prefer a milder version
• Coconut milk: This is a good alternative as it is dairy-free, but it will still be creamy.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe:

This instant butter chicken is quick, full of flavor, and rich in taste, making it perfect for weeknight dinner. The pressure cooking ensures that the chicken is absorbed by all aromatic flavors, and it becomes a mouthwatering dish with minimal effort.

Ingredients

• 2-3 chicken breast cut into 2” bites
• 1/2 onion diced
• 1 stick of butter
• 5 tablespoons of minced garlic
• 1 15oz can of tomato sauce
• 2 tablespoons of tomato paste
• 1 tablespoon of paprika
• 1 tablespoon of chili powder
• 3 tablespoons of curry powder
• 1 teaspoon of cumin
• 1 teaspoon of salt
• 1/4 cup of chopped cilantro
• 1 cup of heavy whipping cream

Instructions

1. Set the instant pot to sauté mode. 

2. Add the garlic and sauté for 2 minutes.

3. Add chicken to it and let it slightly brown.

4. Close the lid and pressure valve.

5. Enjoy best with basmati rice and fresh garlic naan.

Notes:

Slow cooker instructions –

• Slow cooker directions –
• Cook onion and garlic in butter until soft.
• Add the chicken and cook on brown outside.
• Other ingredients should be added except for the cilantro and whipped cream.
• Cooking can be done on high 4-6 hours or low 6-8 hours.
• Stir in the cream before serving.