Instant Pot Butter Chicken
Creamy Instant Pot butter chicken with tender chicken pieces in a tomato-butter sauce—weeknight USA takeout favorite made at home. Pressure-cook chicken to 165°F, finish with cream and butter, and serve over rice with warm naan.
🛒Ingredients
- 2 pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs, cut into 1 1/2-inch pieces
- 1 cup plain whole-milk yogurt (pasteurized)
- 2 teaspoons garam masala, divided
- 1 teaspoon turmeric
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt, plus more to taste
- 2 tablespoons ghee or unsalted butter
- 1 medium onion, finely diced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon grated fresh ginger
- 1 (15-ounce) can tomato sauce (not pasta sauce)
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon cayenne (optional)
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 teaspoon sugar (optional, to balance acidity)
- Chopped cilantro and cooked basmati rice for serving
🔧Kitchen Tools Needed
- Instant Pot
- Mixing bowl
- Grater
- Instant-read thermometer
📝Instructions
- 1
Toss chicken with yogurt, 1 teaspoon garam masala, turmeric, and salt. Marinate 20 minutes in the fridge (or up to 8 hours).
- 2
Set Instant Pot to Sauté. Melt ghee; cook onion 4–5 minutes until soft. Add garlic and ginger 30–60 seconds.
- 3
Stir in tomato sauce, remaining garam masala, cumin, paprika, and cayenne. Add marinated chicken (with marinade). Scrape bottom clean.
- 4
Pressure cook High 6 minutes; natural release 5 minutes, then quick release. Confirm chicken pieces reach 165°F.
- 5
Set to Sauté (Low/Less). Stir in cream and butter until silky (do not hard-boil after cream). Adjust salt and sugar. Simmer 2–3 minutes.
- 6
Serve over rice with cilantro. Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours up to 4 days; reheat gently to 165°F.
🥗Nutrition Information
⚡Calories per serving: 430
🏷️Recipe Tags
❓Frequently Asked Questions
Chicken breasts instead of thighs?
Yes—cut evenly and pressure cook 5 minutes; check 165°F. Thighs stay juicier.
Dairy-free?
Use coconut cream and dairy-free yogurt; flavor will be slightly different but still rich.
Burn notice?
Deglaze thoroughly and keep sauce covering the bottom; don’t use thick pastes without thinning.
How spicy?
Mild without cayenne; add more paprika/cayenne to taste.
Meal prep?
Sauce thickens when chilled—loosen with a splash of water or broth when reheating to 165°F.
