Instant Pot Butter Chicken

This creamy and mild Indian curry is guaranteed to become a family favorite.

Instant-Pot-Butter-Chicken
Photo:

Greg Dupree, Prop Stylist: Julia Bayless , Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall

Prep Time:
20 mins
Total Time:
40 mins
Servings:
4

Your jaw will drop in amazement at how your Instant Pot can turn out such a flavorful, luxurious dish in such little time. The tomato-and-cream-based sauce is spiced with ginger, coriander, turmeric, and smoked paprika. The latter lends a smokiness as if the chicken was cooked in a tandoor, a type of Indian oven, as it’s traditionally done. This Instant Pot butter chicken recipe is perfectly spiced, with a sweet tang from the tomato paste mellowed with the richness of heavy cream. Rice is a must, but no one will be mad at a little naan on the side. 

If you notice any burned spots on the bottom of the Instant Pot, transfer the ingredients to a bowl and clean the bottom. The “burn food” sensor is very sensitive and will stop your cooking time if it senses the food is burning on the bottom.

Ingredients

  • 2 Tbsp. unsalted butter

  • 2 8-to-9-oz. boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1/2-in. pieces

  • 1 large yellow onion, chopped (about 2 cups)

  • 2 tsp. grated fresh ginger (from a 2-in. piece)

  • 1 6-oz. can tomato paste

  • 1 tsp. ground coriander

  • 1 tsp. smoked paprika

  • 1/2 tsp. ground turmeric

  • 1 3/4 tsp. kosher salt

  • 1 cup basmati rice

  • 1 cup frozen green peas (from a 10-oz. pkg.)

  • 3/4 cup heavy cream

  • Fresh cilantro leaves, for garnish 

Directions

  1. Set the multicooker:

    Select sauté setting on a pressure multicooker (such as an Instant Pot). Select high temperature setting and preheat for 3 to 5 minutes. 

  2. Add ingredients to the pot; stir:

    Add butter, chicken, onion, and ginger to pot. Cook, stirring occasionally, until chicken is light golden brown and onion is softened, about 5 minutes. Add tomato paste, coriander, smoked paprika, and turmeric; cook, stirring constantly, until darkened, about 1 minute. Press cancel.

  3. Add water and salt; cook at high pressure:

    Add 1 cup water and salt to pot. Lock lid in place. Turn steam-release handle to sealing position. Select manual/pressure cook setting. Select high pressure and cook for 5 minutes. 

  4. Cook rice:

    Meanwhile, cook rice according to package directions.

  5. Add peas and cream; serve:

    Carefully turn steam-release handle to venting position and let steam fully escape (float valve will drop). Stir in peas and let sit for 1 minute. Stir in cream. Serve with rice and garnish with cilantro.

Make-Ahead: Refrigerate the chicken mixture for up to 3 days, or freeze it for up to 3 months. Defrost overnight in the refrigerator, in the microwave, or on the stove-top.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

564 Calories
27g Fat
39g Carbs
43g Protein
Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 4
Calories 564
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 27g 34%
Saturated Fat 15g 76%
Cholesterol 162mg 54%
Sodium 678mg 29%
Total Carbohydrate 39g 14%
Dietary Fiber 6g 22%
Total Sugars 14g
Protein 43g 87%
Vitamin C 22mg 24%
Calcium 109mg 8%
Iron 4mg 24%
Potassium 1111mg 24%

*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

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