This Instant Pot Indian Butter Chicken Recipe Can Be Yours in Less Than 30 Minutes (2024)

We love this recipe, because it pressure cooks in 5 minutes and simultaneously steams the rice on top of the tomatoey, spicy chicken. Score! We like buying Trader Joe'snaan in the freezer section and toasting it in the oven, slathered with plenty of turmeric-y ghee. You can also spread butter and sprinkle on a little powdered turmeric as well.

Recipe Notes: Use chicken breast or thighs — dark and white meat turn out lovely in this recipe. Specialty spices like Kashmiri red chile powder and fenugreek leaves can be ordered online or found at Indian supermarkets or healthy grocery stores. Sugar, although optional, is recommended as it will cut through the acidity of the tomatoes. We added coconut sugar to our version.

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons ghee
• 1 large yellow onion, finely diced
• 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs, halved and patted dry
• 1 cup canned tomato puree
• 1/2 cup water
• 1 tablespoon grated fresh ginger
• 1 tablespoon minced garlic
• 2 teaspoons Kashmiri red chili powder or another mild red chili powder
• 2 teaspoons kosher salt
• 1 teaspoon garam masala
• 1/2 teaspoon ground turmeric
• 1/2 cup canned coconut cream
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 2 tablespoons dried fenugreek leaves
• 2 teaspoons sugar (optional)
• 1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro
• 1 cup basmati rice
• 1 1/2 cups water
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt

Directions

Select the high Sauté setting on the Instant Pot and heat the ghee. Add the onion and cook until translucent, 4 to 5 minutes. Press the Cancel button to turn off the Instant Pot. Add the chicken, tomato puree, water, ginger, garlic, chili powder, salt, garam masala, and turmeric and stir to combine.

To make the rice: In a 1 1/2-quart stainless-steel bowl that will fit in the Instant Pot, stir together the rice, water, and salt. Place a tall steam rack in the pot, making sure its legs are resting on the bottom. Place the bowl of rice on the rack.

Secure the lid and set the Pressure Release to Sealing. Select the Pressure Cook or Manual setting and set the cooking time for 5 minutes at high pressure.

Let the pressure release naturally for 5 minutes, then move the Pressure Release to Venting to release any remaining steam. Open the pot. Using heat-resistant mitts, place the bowl of rice on a trivet and remove the tall steam rack.

Add to the pot the coconut cream, tomato paste, fenugreek, and sugar and stir to combine. Select the high Sauté setting and cook until the curry comes to a boil and is heated through, about 2 minutes. Press the Cancel button to turn off the Instant Pot.

Spoon the rice onto plates and ladle the curry over the top. Sprinkle with the cilantro and serve the most delicious instant pot butter chicken you've ever made!

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