How to Make Instant Pot Butter Chicken

butter

🥗Healthier: olive oil

💰Cheaper: margarine

Olive oil reduces saturated fat while maintaining flavor.

cream

🥗Healthier: coconut milk

💰Cheaper: milk + cornstarch

Coconut milk offers a similar creaminess with fewer calories.

yogurt

🥗Healthier: Greek yogurt

💰Cheaper: sour cream

Greek yogurt adds protein while maintaining creaminess.

chicken

💰Cheaper: tofu

Tofu provides a vegetarian protein alternative.

Cut the boneless chicken thighs into quarter pieces or bite-size pieces.

Peel the ginger and grate it to yield about 2 tablespoons.

Finely dice the onion.

Dice the red bell pepper after removing the seeds.

Set the Instant Pot to sauté mode and add half of the stick of butter.

Brown the chicken in batches for about 2-3 minutes on each side, then remove with a slotted spoon.

Add the remaining butter for the next batch of chicken.

Once all chicken is browned, set it aside in a bowl.

In a blender, puree the two cans of diced tomatoes with the grated ginger until smooth.

In the Instant Pot, sauté the diced onions and red bell peppers in the leftover butter.

Add the spices: ground cumin, smoked paprika, turmeric, and kosher salt, mixing well.

Pour in the tomato puree and mix thoroughly, scraping the bottom to avoid a burn error.

Return the browned chicken to the pot along with any juices from the bowl, coating the chicken with the sauce.

Add 3/4 cup of heavy cream, reserving the remaining for later, and stir well.

Put the lid on the Instant Pot, set the vent to sealing, and cook on pressure cooker mode for 5 minutes.

After cooking, allow a 10-minute natural release followed by a quick release until the pressure pin drops.

Open the lid and stir the mixture, then switch to sauté mode.

Add the remaining spices: garam masala, roasted cumin seeds, cayenne pepper, and the remaining 3/4 cup of heavy cream.

Mix in 2 tablespoons of cornstarch with 2 tablespoons of cold water as a thickener.

Taste and adjust spices with black pepper and kosher salt if necessary.

Allow the sauce to thicken and combine for another minute before serving.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Dietary

Allergens