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Easy Instant Pot Butter Chicken

Easy Instant Pot Butter Chicken

The ultimate comfort food, Easy Instant Pot Butter Chicken is creamy, rich, and bursting with flavor. Perfect for a quick weeknight dinner, this dish combines tender chicken and spices in a luscious sauce that’ll make your taste buds dance. Make it tonight for a meal everyone will love!
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Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: Indian
Calories: 450
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 14.5 ounce fire-roasted crushed tomatoes without chili peppers
  • 1 tablespoon grated fresh ginger from about 1 1/4-inch piece
  • 2 cloves garlic minced; or 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon garam masala
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt optional
  • 1 pound boneless skinless chicken thighs trimmed
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter cut into cubes
  • ¼ cup heavy cream
  • 2 cups fully cooked rice
  • Fresh lime juice, chopped fresh cilantro, and/or naan bread optional

Equipment

  • Instant Pot

Method
 

  1. Stir together the fire-roasted crushed tomatoes, ginger, garlic, garam masala, and salt (if using) in the Instant Pot.
  2. Nestle the chicken thighs into the tomato mixture. Lock the lid and set to cook on high pressure for 10 minutes.
  3. When cooking is complete, press 'cancel' and let the pressure naturally release for 10 minutes, then carefully quick-release any remaining pressure.
  4. Remove the cooked chicken from the pot and chip with a pair of kitchen scissors, or shred with two forks.
  5. Stir in the butter and cream. Return the chicken to the pot.
  6. Serve over rice with plain yogurt, chopped or thinly sliced cucumbers, lime juice, cilantro, and/or naan bread as desired.

Notes

  • If you don’t have or can’t find garam masala: you can use cumin. It will have a less distinctly Indian flavor, but it will still be good!
  • To make this dairy-free: omit the butter and use full fat canned coconut milk in place of the cream.
  • If you can only find diced fire-roasted tomatoes: you can puree the sauce smooth in Step 4 right before you add the chicken back in.
  • Feel free to double the recipe: to make a larger portion (or to ensure leftovers!)
  • Store any leftovers: in an airtight container and reheat to serve.