A quick and easy Indian Butter Chicken Recipe that’s made in under 30 minutes. This Instant Pot Indian Butter Chicken recipe features tender pieces of chicken smothered in a buttery curry sauce, filled with aromatic spices and herbs. This flavorful dish is kid-approved and tastes even better as leftovers!
Pressure Cooker Indian Butter Chicken
Instant Pot Indian Butter Chicken is a buttery chicken, that is smothered in a creamy tomato sauce. It’s one of my family’s absolute favorite Indian food dishes that we enjoy together.
This Instant Pot recipe is so simple to make, and frankly, tastes better than ordering from your favorite restaurant. A simple pressure cooker recipe that gives you that low and slow simmer taste, in every single bite.
Optional Add In’s
- bay leaves
- parsley
- hand-chopped fresh tomatoes – for a more authentic Indian restaurant dish.
Easy Indian Butter Chicken
Exploring the many cultures, we have in this world. Along with their food is something I’ve been passionate about since I was a teenager. One of the dishes I was so drawn to make was Indian Butter Chicken.
Watching Anthony Bourdain and Andrew Zimmerman trip around the world and taste everything it has to offer. Has truly inspired me to adventure into the world of food. I’m famous in my family for saying “what country are we visiting today?”
When it comes to picking which restaurant we are dining in on that day. India Cuisine is a new adventure I am on with my kids. I wanted to change things up and create one of our favorite restaurant dishes at home.
Butter Chicken Side Dishes
- Basmati Rice
- Naan Bread
- Saffron Rice
- Saag
- Aloo Gobi
- Samosa
- Kachumber Salad
- Daal
Indian Butter Chicken Recipe
I got to work on creating an Easy Indian Butter Chicken Recipe that I knew my family would love. Serve over a bed of rice for the most comforting dish you could imagine.
If you like Butter Chicken, you will love our recipe. We have had so many delicious dishes throughout the years, but without a doubt, Butter Chicken has to be our favorite. Not only is this dish easy to make, but it features a subtle flavor that packs a delicious punch you can’t go without.
Why Is It Called Butter Chicken?
The name Butter chicken comes from the butter-based gravy used to give this chicken dish rich and vibrant flavors.
Helpful Cooking Notes
There have been some reports that the Instant Pots have been giving. This is the case for some users depending on your geographical location.
To avoid getting a burn signal from the pot, DO NOT add the Tomato Paste as instructed in the recipe. Instead, add the tomato paste on top of all the other ingredients before closing the lid.
Health Benefits From Ingredients In Butter Chicken
Butter chicken is loaded with spices and ingredients to help add different dimensions of flavor to this chicken recipe. Let me share some of the health benefits behind a handful of the spices and other components used in this dish.
Indian Butter Chicken Spices
- Garam Masala
- Curry Powder
- Ground Ginger
- Coconut Milk
- Garlic Cloves
Garam Masala. So many benefits are in this one simple ingredient. Boosting your immunity, helping aid in digestion, promoting weight loss, and more. It is also useful for relieving inflammation and reducing pain in your joints. A great spice to have on hand for recipes.
Curry Powder. Reducing Alzheimer’s, bone health, protecting your body from heart disease are a few of the main benefits. Curry is a great spice that blends well with many recipes.
Ground Ginger. You can use ground ginger or fresh in this recipe. Ginger is excellent for nausea and morning sickness, as well as helping reduce pain or soreness. Ginger is also great for helping balance blood sugar as well.
Coconut Milk. High in fiber and loaded with vitamins like C, B1, B3, B6, calcium, magnesium, and so much more.
Garlic Cloves. Garlic is excellent for fighting against colds and flu, lowering cholesterol levels, and even reducing blood pressure levels.
Common Instant Pot Indian Butter Chicken Questions
Do I need to Marinate my Chicken?
Nope! This recipe was designed to be as simple as possible and does not require you to marinate the chicken.
Why am I getting a burn signal?
To avoid getting a burn signal from the pot, DO NOT add the Tomato Paste as instructed in the recipe. Instead, add the tomato paste on top of all the other ingredients before closing the lid.
What about leftovers?
I absolutely love this dish as leftovers. The longer it sits in the fridge the more flavors you can taste! In the past readers have come back to let me know they doubled their recipes to produce leftovers. The leftovers make great meal prep lunches and dinners. Or if you are like me, a midnight snack.
Can I use frozen Chicken?
Of course! That’s what makes this a great weeknight dinner recipe! I have used frozen chicken breast, tenderloin, and thighs plenty of times.
What is the best chicken to use in this recipe?
I personally like to use boneless chicken thighs, however you can use whatever part of the chicken you have on hand. I do suggest that you used boneless chicken to make the cooking process a breeze.
Do I need to use Greek Yogurt?
No, but if you have it throw it in! I have found mixing in greek yogurt brings a wonderful contrast to the sauce. It also helps thicken the sauce and just makes everything taste even more amazing.
Is this the same as Chicken Tikka Masala?
No, this dish is much more smooth and has a richer buttery flavor. While Chicken Tikka Masala has a rich tomato-based sauce that boasts a lot of herbs and spices.
Why does this recipe call for Coconut Milk?
I just love adding coconut milk to my recipes, I am from the Philippines and we use a lot of coconut milk in our recipes. So it was a no-brainer to add this delicious ingredient to my Indian butter chicken. It, however, isn’t called for in an authentic Butter Chicken recipe.
Is Indian Butter Chicken Spicy?
Technically NO, however, in my dish, I do suggest you add cayenne pepper. Please feel free to omit the cayenne if you are preparing this dish for kids or if you just aren’t a fan of spicy dishes.
Is this an authentic Indian dish?
No, this dish is a westernized version of Chicken Tikka Masala. It gained a lot of popularity with westerns because of its simplistic ingredients and ability to control the spices.
Pressure Cooker/ Instant Pot Recipe Ideas
We genuinely love this delicious butter chicken, and I think you and your family will too. Please come back and let me know how you like it. Have you ever tried butter chicken?
Pressure Cooker Indian Butter Chicken
This deliciously easy to make Instant Pot Indian Butter Chicken is the perfect family dinner. Serve it for your next family dinner with a side of Naan bread.
Ingredients
- 2 lb's of chicken breast or tenderloins diced into 1/4 inch pieces if Frozen No need to Dice
- 1 Stick of Butter, or 1/2 a cup
- 2 Teaspoons of Garam Masala
- 2 Teaspoons of Cayenne Pepper, optional - omit if you don't want heat added to the dish
- 2 Teaspoons of Curry Powder
- 1 Teaspoon Ground Cumin
- 1 Tsp Tumeric (Optional)
- 1 Teaspoon of Ground Ginger OR 2 Teaspoons of minced fresh ginger
- 1 Can of Coconut Milk, In can, sold at any grocery store
- 1 Cup of Chicken Stock
- 1 Cup Chunk Roasted Tomatoes (OR) 1 - 6 oz Can of Tomato Paste (Add at the End)
- 1 Onion Minced
- 5 Garlic Cloves Minced
- Cilantro for Garnishing
- Salt to taste
- 2 Tbs CornStarch
- 1 Tbs Water
- 1/2 cup Greek Yogurt (Optional)
Instructions
- Turn Pressure Cooker On Saute Mode or press Chicken/Meat.
- Place a stick of butter into the pot and let it fully melt until it becomes foamy and smells amazing.
- Toss in onions and garlic and cook until halfway done, then add the coconut milk, and chicken stock. Mix thoroughly.
- Add the Curry Powder, Ground Cumin, Ginger, Cayenne Pepper, Garam Masala, and salt to taste.
- Place frozen or thawed chicken in the pot and cover with sauce. Cook on Manual for 10 (15 if frozen) minutes or cook meal using Chicken/Meat button.
- Once finished let it sit in the pot for 10 minutes with an NPR. If the lid has not unlocked release the excess steam and remove the lid.
- If your chicken was already diced skip this next step.
- Turn pot back on to Saute or Keep Warm Method. Add the tomato paste or tomato sauce. With a sturdy spoon and fork gently cut/shred the chicken into desired size pieces.
- Mix the cornstarch and water together and then add to the pot, mix well. Let pot boil until sauce is thickened.
- If you desire, add the Greek Yogurt for a more sharp creamy texture.
- Serve over a bed of basmati rice or jasmine rice. Garnish with fresh-cut cilantro.
- Enjoy!
Notes
If you are getting a burn sign flip off the pot and stir
Buder Shapiro
Saturday 28th of August 2021
Hi Jay - did you modify this recipe from the original a couple of years ago? I remember the original recipe had just tomato paste and no chicken stock? Could you please let me know? Thank you.
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[…] most popular dinner recipes on my blog, like my Creamy Garlic Parmesan Shrimp, or my quick and easy Pressure Cooker Indian Butter Chicken. Make dinner time a tasty and fun way to spend time […]
Evan Schefferine
Friday 27th of August 2021
Do I have to put my pressure cooker to airtight or exhaust?
Craving curry ????
Wednesday 18th of August 2021
Do you not have pressure cooker ?. So how can I adjust the recipe to make it stove top friendly or oven friendly?
I am so excited to make this recipe!
Also do you have a quick fool proof recipe for naan bread?
What is the best Garam Masala to buy in your general store? Or what are the main ingredients in it so that I can make it myself?
Indian food is one of my favorite cuisine‘s. I just moved & where I am located now has no diverse cuisine restaurants in it. So if I can get this recipe right. I well at least have one go to dish thanks to you ?
Thanks in advance ???????????, Craving curry
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