Amazing butter chicken: 30 min comfort

Oh, butter chicken! That rich, creamy, slightly smoky goodness that just screams comfort food. I used to think it was something I only had time for on a lazy Sunday, a whole afternoon dedicated to simmering and stirring. But then, the Instant Pot came into my life, and let me tell you, it was a game-changer! Seriously, making the best butter chicken Instant Pot style has become my absolute go-to for when that craving hits but I’m short on time. My grandma’s recipe is legendary, packed with flavor, but this Instant Pot version? It captures all that magic in a fraction of the time. I love finding ways to simplify those complex, time-consuming dishes without sacrificing any of that delicious, home-cooked taste. This recipe is proof that you can have incredible, restaurant-quality butter chicken on a weeknight!

Why You’ll Love This Best Butter Chicken Instant Pot Recipe

You are going to adore this recipe, trust me!

• Super Speedy: We’re talking delicious butter chicken ready in under an hour, thanks to the magic of the Instant Pot.
• Effortlessly Easy: Dump, set, and forget! Minimal chopping and stirring means less cleanup and more relaxing.
• Authentic Flavor: You won’t believe how rich and complex the taste is, just like your favorite restaurant dish.
• Incredibly Creamy: That velvety smooth sauce is just divine, perfect for coating every juicy piece of chicken.
• Weeknight Warrior: Makes busy evenings something to look forward to – seriously fancy dinner in no time!
• Minimal Fuss: Forget standing over the stove; the Instant Pot does all the hard work for you.

Ingredients for Your Instant Pot Butter Chicken

Alright, let’s get our mise en place ready! Having everything prepped makes cooking this butter chicken a breeze. You’ll need these goodies:

• Chicken: 1.5 pounds of boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts, cut into nice 1-inch pieces. Thighs tend to stay super juicy, but breasts work great too!
• Butter & Oil: 1 tablespoon of unsalted butter and 1 tablespoon of olive oil to get things started.
• Onion: 1 medium yellow onion, diced up nice and fine. This builds our flavor base.
• Garlic & Ginger: 2 cloves of garlic, minced up, and 1 tablespoon of fresh ginger, grated. These are non-negotiable for that authentic kick!
• Tomatoes: 1 (14.5 ounce) can of crushed tomatoes. The smoother, the better here.
• Broth: 1/2 cup of chicken broth. This helps everything cook evenly in the pot.
• Creaminess: 1/4 cup of heavy cream is key for that signature rich, velvety sauce.
• Yogurt (Optional): 2 tablespoons of plain Greek yogurt for the marinade. It makes the chicken so tender!
• Spices: This is where the magic happens! You’ll need 1 teaspoon garam masala, 1 teaspoon ground cumin, 1/2 teaspoon ground coriander, 1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder, 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (or more if you like it spicy!), and 1/2 teaspoon salt for the main sauce.
• Marinade Magic: For the marinade, you’ll use about 1/2 teaspoon of the garam masala, 1/4 teaspoon of the turmeric, and 1/2 teaspoon of the salt.
• Sweetness (Optional): 1 teaspoon of sugar. This just helps balance out the tartness of the tomatoes and spices.
• Garnish: Fresh cilantro, chopped. It adds such a fresh lift at the end!
• For Serving: Fluffy basmati rice or warm naan bread. You gotta have something to soak up all that glorious sauce!

How to Make the Best Butter Chicken Instant Pot

Alright, let’s get this party started! Making the best butter chicken in your Instant Pot is actually super straightforward. Trust me, this method is foolproof and comes out ridiculously good. We’ll build layers of flavor, and the pot does all the hard work. It’s honestly one of my favorite ways to whip up a quick, impressive meal.

Marinating the Chicken

First things first, let’s get that chicken gettin’ happy! In a bowl, toss your chicken pieces with the Greek yogurt (if you’re using it – it really makes it fall-apart tender!). You’ll want about 2 tablespoons of plain Greek yogurt for this. Add in half a teaspoon of salt and a portion of your spices: half a teaspoon of garam masala and a quarter teaspoon of turmeric. Give it a good mix, making sure every piece is coated, and let it hang out for at least 15 minutes. This isn’t just for flavor; it helps tenderize the chicken beautifully, making it perfect whether you’re using boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts. If you’re curious about other baked thigh recipes or how to handle boneless chicken breasts, check out some of my other posts!

Sautéing Aromatics for Flavor

Now, flick on your Instant Pot and hit the “Sauté” button. Let it heat up, then add that tablespoon of butter and olive oil. Once shiny and warm, toss in your finely diced medium yellow onion. Cook it for about 3 to 5 minutes, just until it starts looking soft and a little see-through. Next, add your minced garlic and grated fresh ginger. Stir them around for just one minute until they smell amazing – don’t let them burn! Now, stir in the rest of your dry spices: the remaining garam masala, cumin, coriander, turmeric, and cayenne pepper. Let them toast for about 30 seconds to really wake up their flavors. Pour in the crushed tomatoes and chicken broth, and give everything a good scrape along the bottom of the pot to get all those tasty browned bits up. This is super important to avoid a burn notice later, and it adds loads of flavor!

Pressure Cooking the Chicken

Add your marinated chicken pieces right into the pot with the tomato mixture. Give it a gentle stir to make sure everything is coated. Now, pop on the lid, make sure the steam release valve is set to “Sealing,” and select “Manual” or “Pressure Cook” on High Pressure. For chicken thighs, I like to go for 8 minutes. If you’re using chicken breasts, 6 minutes is usually perfect. Once the time is up, let it do a Natural Pressure Release for about 5 minutes. This lets the temperature gently come down. Then, carefully switch the valve to “Venting” to release any leftover steam. It’s a similar process if you’re thinking about slow cooker chicken thighs, but the Instant Pot is so much faster!

Finishing and Thickening the Sauce

Okay, moment of truth! Open that lid carefully. Stir in your heavy cream and the optional sugar. Give it a good taste and add a pinch more salt if it needs it. If your sauce looks a little thinner than you’d like, just press “Sauté” again and let it simmer for a few minutes until it reaches that perfect, luscious thickness. Sometimes, a quick simmer is all it takes! That’s it! You’ve got creamy, dreamy butter chicken ready to go!

Tips for the Best Butter Chicken Instant Pot

You know, even with a fantastic recipe like this, a few little tricks can really elevate your butter chicken game. I’ve learned these from years of tinkering in the kitchen – sometimes by accident, sometimes on purpose! It’s all about making this delicious dish shine.

For starters, don’t skimp on the quality of your spices! Fresh spices make a world of difference in an Indian dish like this. If your garam masala or cumin has been sitting in the back of the cupboard for ages, it might be time for a refresh. You can find some really easy homemade butter chicken recipes out there, but fresh spices are key to that authentic punch. Also, feel free to play with the heat! If you love spicy, add a pinch more cayenne pepper or even a minced jalapeño with the onions. If you’re sensitive, you can dial it back or even leave it out entirely. This recipe is super forgiving, all about finding your perfect comfort food balance. I’ve found that using chicken thighs really makes it extra tender and succulent, but breasts work great if that’s what you have on hand. Just keep an eye on the cooking time! For another take, check out this creamy butter chicken recipe for inspiration.

Ingredient Notes and Substitutions

Let’s chat about a few things in this recipe that might need a little explaining or tweaking. For that super smooth, rich sauce, heavy cream is usually the star. But if you’re looking for a dairy-free option, don’t you worry! Full-fat canned coconut milk works like a dream; just give it a good stir before adding it in for that luscious texture. And for spice lovers? If you want to really turn up the heat, feel free to bump up that cayenne pepper or even add a fresh chili. No two kitchens are the same, and your butter chicken should be just how you like it!

Serving Suggestions for Your Creamy Chicken Curry Instant Pot

Now that you’ve made this incredibly creamy, flavor-packed butter chicken in your Instant Pot, what should you serve it with? Oh, the possibilities! My absolute favorites are still a big ol’ pile of fluffy basmati rice to soak up every last drop of that gorgeous sauce, or some warm, pillowy naan bread. I also love having some freshly baked garlic bread rolls or maybe some fancy Italian herb and cheese bread on the side – anything that’s good for dipping, really! You can even whip up some quick garlic bread if you’ve got leftover sliced bread. It’s just perfect for any weeknight meal or even a casual get-together!

Frequently Asked Questions about Instant Pot Butter Chicken

Got questions about whipping up this speedy butter chicken? I’ve got you covered! Here are some things folks often ask:

Can I make this Instant Pot butter chicken ahead of time?

Absolutely! This recipe is fantastic for meal prep. You can cook it completely, let it cool, and store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. For longer storage, this butter chicken freezes beautifully. It’s a great candidate for a freezer-friendly butter chicken Instant Pot meal!

Is this a healthy butter chicken Instant Pot recipe?

Compared to traditional restaurant versions, yes! We’re using lean protein and controlling the amount of cream and butter. You can make it even healthier by using chicken breast instead of thighs and swapping the heavy cream for Greek yogurt or coconut milk. It’s a great way to enjoy healthy butter chicken Instant Pot style.

How do I make my Instant Pot butter chicken spicier?

Easy peasy! If you love a kick, just add more cayenne pepper along with the other spices in step 3. You could also add a pinch of red chili flakes, or even a finely minced jalapeño or serrano pepper when you sauté the onions. Don’t be shy if you like it hot!

My sauce is too thin, what should I do?

No worries if your sauce isn’t as thick as you’d like! Just hit the “Sauté” button on your Instant Pot after you’ve added the cream and chicken. Let it simmer gently for a few minutes, stirring occasionally, until it thickens up to your desired consistency. It’s a simple fix that makes a big difference!

Nutritional Information

Just a heads-up, these numbers are estimates, okay? They can wiggle around a bit depending on exactly what chicken you use and if you add that optional sugar. But generally, a serving of this amazing Instant Pot butter chicken clocks in around 450 calories, with about 25g of fat (that’s the creamy goodness!), 35g of protein to keep you full, and about 15g of carbs. It’s a pretty good balance for such a decadent-tasting dish!

Share Your Best Butter Chicken Instant Pot Creation!

Alright, now that you’ve hopefully whipped up this amazing Instant Pot butter chicken, I’d just LOVE to hear all about it! Did it become your new weeknight go-to? Did your family devour it? Snap a pic and tag me on social media, or better yet, drop a comment below and tell me all your thoughts! And if you enjoyed it, a quick rating really helps other home cooks find this gem. You can learn more about my cooking adventures right here – I’m always cooking something up!

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