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Instant Pot Butter Chicken
5 from 40 votes

Instant Pot Butter Chicken

Instant Pot Butter Chicken is a rich, creamy curry featuring chicken thighs simmered in a spiced tomato base, finished with garam masala, cream, and butter. The pressure cooking tenderizes the chicken quickly while blending the spices thoroughly. The inclusion of kasuri methi imparts a characteristic dried fenugreek aroma typical to butter chicken dishes.

Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
30 mins
Servings: 3 serving
Calories: 905 kcal
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Indian

Ingredients

For Curry Base(Sauce)
  • 1 ½ tablespoon butter
  • 1 tablespoon ghee
  • 2 large onion chopped fine in food processor, white
  • 12 ounce tomato puree or canned tomatoes
  • 1 tablespoon tomato paste
  • ⅔ tablespoon ginger paste
  • ½ tablespoon garlic paste
  • 1 ¼ pound chicken thigh cut into 1-2 inch cubes
  • ½ to 1 cup water
Spices
  • 1 tablespoon red chili powder or use a mix of cayenne pepper and paprika powder
  • 2 teaspoon coriander powder
  • 1 ¼ teaspoon cumin powder
  • 1 teaspoon turmeric powder
  • 1 teaspoon salt adjust to taste
To Finish
  • 2 teaspoon garam masala powder
  • ¾ cup heavy cream
  • 2 tablespoon butter
Garnish
  • 1 teaspoon cilantro
  • 1 tablespoon cream for drizzle
  • 1 cube butter on top
  • 2 teaspoon kasuri methi (dried fenugreek leaves)

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Select “Saute” setting on Instant Pot. When display turns on, Melt butter and ghee.
  2. If using whole spices (cardamom, cinnamon stick and bay leaves) add
  3. Saute finely chopped white onions until it changes color to pink.
  4. Add ginger and garlic paste. Cook with constant stirring until the raw smell of paste is gone.
  5. Add fresh homemade tomato puree or canned tomato . I did stir the mix, but be carefully of burning. Let the tomato cook without stirring if you are worried of burning.
  6. Add tomato paste and let it cook for some time.
  7. Mix all the spice powder except for garam masala in a bowl. Add spice powders to the pot.
  8. Add chicken pieces and just spread it out evenly on the pot.
  9. Turn off the saute setting.
  10. Pour little water. Stir everything well. There should be enough liquid in the pot covering chicken.
  11. Close the lid, ensure the steam release knob is in “sealing position”.
  12. Turn on the poultry setting on the Instant Pot and select 10 minutes on the timer (I have shown in the video 15 minutes poultry time, But I actually used 10 minutes, was too lazy to shoot the edited time setting)
  13. Once the Instant Pot cycle is complete, wait until the natural release cycle is complete, should take about 10 minutes. Then manually release any pressure if still inside the pot by turning the pressure release know to the “venting position”
  14. Switch in the “saute” setting on the pot.
  15. Open the lid. Add garam masala, little more butter and pour cream into it. Simmer for 3 minutes. Sauce should thicken by then.
  16. Turn off Instant pot.
  17. Garnish with fresh chopped coriander leaves.
  18. Serve warm with instant pot rice or butter naan (Indian flatbread)

Notes

  • Be cautious when browning butter to avoid burning and maintain a rich, nutty flavor.
  • This Instant Pot method shortens cook time while keeping chicken tender and sauce flavorful.
  • Nutritional information can vary significantly depending on specific ingredients used.

Nutrition Information

Serving 0g Calories 905kcal (45%) Carbohydrates 24g (8%) Protein 36g (72%) Fat 75g (115%) Saturated Fat 35g (175%) Cholesterol 322mg (107%) Sodium 1190mg (50%) Potassium 1192mg (25%) Fiber 6g (24%) Sugar 10g (20%) Vitamin A 2954IU (59%) Vitamin C 20mg (22%) Calcium 122mg (12%) Iron 5mg (28%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 3 serving

Amount Per Serving

Calories 905

% Daily Value*

Serving 0g
Calories 905kcal 45%
Carbohydrates 24g 8%
Protein 36g 72%
Fat 75g 115%
Saturated Fat 35g 175%
Cholesterol 322mg 107%
Sodium 1190mg 50%
Potassium 1192mg 25%
Fiber 6g 24%
Sugar 10g 20%
Vitamin A 2954IU 59%
Vitamin C 20mg 22%
Calcium 122mg 12%
Iron 5mg 28%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.