Instant Pot Indian Butter Chicken: Effortlessly Creamy, Flavorful, and Quick
Prepare to fall in love with Indian Butter Chicken, redefined for speed and simplicity in your Instant Pot! This recipe delivers incredibly tender chicken immersed in a rich, smooth, and deeply satisfying sauce that perfectly balances savory, tangy, and subtly sweet notes. If you’ve ever hesitated to make Indian cuisine at home, fearing complexity or long cooking times, the Instant Pot makes this beloved dish astonishingly accessible.
Every bite of this homemade butter chicken is a delightful explosion of flavor. The chicken emerges from the pressure cooker exceptionally succulent, having absorbed the aromatic spices and creamy goodness of the sauce. It’s truly a dish that tastes like it’s been simmering for hours, yet it comes together in a fraction of the time, making it an ideal choice for busy weeknights or when you crave authentic Indian flavors without the fuss. This isn’t just a meal; it’s an experience that will leave you wanting more!
Why Choose the Instant Pot for Indian Butter Chicken?
The Instant Pot isn’t just a kitchen gadget; it’s a game-changer, especially for dishes like Indian Butter Chicken that traditionally require extensive marinating and slow simmering to achieve their signature depth of flavor. Here’s why cooking butter chicken in your Instant Pot is a brilliant idea:
- Unmatched Speed: What might take hours on the stovetop or in a slow cooker can be ready in under an hour from start to finish. The pressure cooking significantly reduces the cooking time for the chicken, allowing it to become incredibly tender very quickly.
- Deeper Flavor Infusion: Pressure cooking forces the spices and liquids into the chicken more effectively than traditional methods. This results in a more intensely flavored chicken and a richer, more cohesive sauce that tastes like it has been simmering all day.
- Consistent Tenderness: The Instant Pot environment ensures the chicken cooks evenly and retains moisture, preventing it from drying out. You’ll get perfectly tender, fall-apart chicken every single time.
- One-Pot Convenience: From sautéing the aromatics to pressure cooking and finally finishing the sauce, nearly the entire process happens in one pot. This means less cleanup and a more streamlined cooking experience.
- Hands-Off Cooking: Once the lid is sealed and the pressure cook cycle begins, you’re free to walk away and attend to other tasks. No constant stirring or monitoring required, making it perfect for busy evenings.
Embracing the Instant Pot for this recipe truly transforms it from an occasional treat into a regular, hassle-free delight.
The Irresistible Flavors of Authentic Indian Butter Chicken
Indian Butter Chicken, or Murgh Makhani, is a world-renowned dish celebrated for its harmonious blend of flavors and luxurious texture. At its heart lies a creamy, rich tomato-based sauce generously infused with aromatic Indian spices. This vibrant curry is not overtly spicy; instead, it offers a gentle warmth from the spices, balanced by the sweetness of tomatoes and the richness of butter and cream.
The magic of this dish comes from several key elements:
- Tender Chicken: Typically made with boneless, skinless chicken, often marinated, which absorbs the flavors beautifully and becomes incredibly succulent during cooking.
- Butter (Makhani): As the name suggests, butter is a crucial component, contributing to the sauce’s characteristic richness and glossy finish.
- Tomato Base: A combination of diced tomatoes and tomato sauce provides the foundational tangy and sweet notes of the curry, creating a robust backdrop for the other flavors.
- Aromatic Spices: Garam masala is the star, bringing a complex blend of warm spices. Turmeric adds a beautiful golden hue and earthy undertones. Fresh ginger and garlic provide pungent depth, while an optional jalapeño offers a subtle kick without overwhelming the palate.
- Creamy Finish: Heavy cream is stirred in at the end, lending the sauce its signature silky texture and tempering the acidity of the tomatoes, resulting in a perfectly balanced and indulgent gravy.
Each spoonful of this Instant Pot Indian Butter Chicken promises a symphony of tastes, making it a beloved comfort food for many.
Key Ingredients for Success
Crafting the perfect Instant Pot Indian Butter Chicken starts with understanding the role each ingredient plays in developing its signature flavor profile and texture. Using fresh, high-quality ingredients will elevate your dish from good to absolutely phenomenal.
Chicken
For this recipe, we use boneless, skinless chicken breasts cut into one-inch cubes. This ensures even cooking and allows the chicken to become incredibly tender and absorb the marinade and sauce flavors efficiently. You can also opt for boneless, skinless chicken thighs for an even juicier result if preferred.
Butter
Butter is not just a flavor enhancer here; it’s fundamental to the “butter chicken” experience. Divided into two parts, it’s used to sauté the aromatics, building a rich base, and then again later to deepen the overall luxuriousness of the sauce. It contributes to the dish’s smooth texture and classic richness.
Aromatic Base: Onions, Ginger, Garlic, and Jalapeño
These ingredients form the aromatic foundation of our curry. Diced white or yellow onion cooks down to sweet translucency, adding a subtle sweetness. Freshly minced ginger and garlic are indispensable, providing pungent, warm notes that are characteristic of Indian cuisine. A finely chopped jalapeño pepper (seeded for less heat, or left with seeds for more kick) is optional but adds a fresh, vibrant, and slightly spicy dimension, balancing the richness.
Spices: Garam Masala and Turmeric
- Garam Masala: This is a cornerstone spice blend in Indian cooking, translating to “warm spice mix.” It typically includes cinnamon, cardamom, cloves, cumin, coriander, and black pepper. It’s added to the chicken marinade and also to the sauce base, imparting a complex, earthy, and fragrant aroma.
- Turmeric: Known for its vibrant golden color and earthy, slightly bitter flavor, turmeric is also celebrated for its health benefits. It’s a staple in Indian cooking and contributes significantly to the visual appeal and depth of flavor of the butter chicken sauce.
Tomato Base: Diced Tomatoes and Tomato Sauce
A combination of canned diced tomatoes and tomato sauce creates the perfect consistency and tangy-sweet balance for the curry. Diced tomatoes add texture and freshness, while tomato sauce provides a smoother, more concentrated tomato flavor. Together, they form the heart of the rich, red sauce.
Chicken Broth
Chicken broth adds liquid to the Instant Pot, crucial for building pressure, and also contributes another layer of savory flavor to the sauce, helping to meld all the ingredients harmoniously.
Heavy Cream
Stirred in at the very end, heavy cream is what gives butter chicken its signature velvety, luxurious finish. It mellows the spices and balances the acidity of the tomatoes, resulting in a rich, creamy, and undeniably indulgent sauce.
Fresh Cilantro
Chopped fresh cilantro is the perfect garnish, adding a burst of fresh, herbaceous flavor and a pop of vibrant color that brightens the entire dish.
Indian Butter Chicken
Ingredients
- 3 boneless skinless chicken breasts cut into one-inch cubes
- 2 T garam masala
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 4 T butter, divided
- 1 medium white or yellow onion, diced
- 1 jalapeno pepper, seeded and finely chopped optional
- 3 cloves finely minced garlic
- 1 T fresh minced ginger
- 1 tsp ground turmeric
- 1 14.5 oz can of diced tomatoes
- 1 8 oz can tomato sauce
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro
- cooked white rice
Instructions
- Place the chicken pieces in a medium bowl. Generously sprinkle the garam masala, salt, and black pepper over the chicken. Toss thoroughly to ensure all chicken pieces are evenly coated, rubbing the spices in gently. Set the chicken aside to marinate for at least 20 minutes while you prepare the other ingredients.
- Activate the “SAUTÉ” function on your Instant Pot. Add 2 tablespoons of butter to the inner pot and allow it to melt and shimmer. Once melted, add the diced onion. Cook, stirring frequently, until the onion softens and becomes translucent, about 5-7 minutes. This step is crucial for building the flavor base.
- Introduce the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter to the pot. Then, add the fresh minced ginger, finely minced garlic, and the chopped jalapeño (if using). Continue to cook and stir for another 5 minutes, allowing the aromatics to release their fragrant oils without burning.
- Pour in the chicken broth, then add the marinated chicken, diced tomatoes, ground turmeric, and tomato sauce to the Instant Pot. Stir all the ingredients gently to combine them well, ensuring nothing is sticking to the bottom of the pot.
- Secure the lid on your Instant Pot, making sure the pressure release valve is set to the “Sealing” position. Press “CANCEL” to turn off the Sauté function, then select the “POULTRY” preset (or Manual/Pressure Cook on High for 10 minutes, if your model doesn’t have a poultry setting).
- Allow the Instant Pot to come to pressure and complete its cooking cycle. The entire process, including coming to pressure, cooking, and initial depressurization, typically takes around 30 minutes. This is your hands-off time to relax or prepare your side dishes!
- Once the cooking cycle finishes, let the Instant Pot naturally release pressure for at least 10 minutes. This natural release is crucial for tender, juicy chicken; a quick release can lead to dry and chewy results. After 10 minutes, carefully twist the steam release valve to the “Venting” position to release any remaining pressure.
- Open the lid, then stir in the heavy cream until fully incorporated and the sauce turns a beautiful creamy color. Serve your luscious Instant Pot Indian Butter Chicken immediately over fluffy white rice, and generously garnish with fresh chopped cilantro. Enjoy!
Notes
Essential Tips for the Best Instant Pot Butter Chicken
To ensure your Instant Pot Indian Butter Chicken turns out perfectly every time, keep these helpful tips in mind:
- Don’t Skip the Marination: Even a short 20-minute marination with garam masala, salt, and pepper makes a noticeable difference in the chicken’s flavor and tenderness. It allows the spices to penetrate the meat, enhancing the overall taste.
- Sautéing is Key: Don’t rush the sautéing of the onions, ginger, and garlic. This step develops the foundational flavor of your sauce. Cook until the onions are soft and translucent, and the ginger-garlic paste is fragrant. This caramelization adds depth.
- Deglaze Properly: After sautéing, if you notice any bits stuck to the bottom of the pot, add a splash of broth and scrape them up with a wooden spoon. This prevents a “burn” error message and incorporates all those flavorful browned bits into your sauce.
- Natural Pressure Release is a Must: For chicken dishes, especially in the Instant Pot, a natural pressure release (NPR) is highly recommended for at least 10 minutes. This allows the internal temperature of the chicken to gradually decrease, resulting in juicier, more tender meat. A quick release can shock the chicken, making it tough and dry.
- Adjust Spiciness: If you prefer more heat, don’t deseed the jalapeño. For a milder flavor, you can omit the jalapeño entirely or use a pinch of cayenne pepper if you enjoy a little kick without the fresh pepper flavor.
- Blending for a Smoother Sauce: For an ultra-smooth, restaurant-style butter chicken sauce, you can carefully remove the chicken after cooking and use an immersion blender (or transfer to a regular blender in batches) to blend the sauce until silky. Then return the chicken and stir in the cream.
Serving Suggestions for a Complete Meal
Indian Butter Chicken is a complete meal in itself, but it truly shines when paired with traditional accompaniments that complement its rich flavors and creamy texture. Here are some fantastic serving ideas:
- Basmati Rice: Fluffy, aromatic basmati rice is the classic companion, perfect for soaking up every drop of the delicious sauce. Cook it separately while your Instant Pot is working its magic.
- Naan Bread: Warm, soft naan bread (garlic naan is especially delightful!) is excellent for scooping up the creamy chicken and sauce. You can also use roti or pita bread.
- Fresh Cilantro: A generous sprinkle of fresh chopped cilantro not only adds vibrant color but also a burst of fresh, herbaceous flavor that brightens the rich curry.
- Yogurt Raita: A cooling side dish made with yogurt, cucumber, and mint can provide a refreshing contrast to the richness of the butter chicken.
- Steamed Vegetables: A simple side of steamed green beans, broccoli, or spinach can add a healthy and colorful element to your plate.
- Lemon Wedges: A squeeze of fresh lemon juice just before serving can cut through the richness and elevate the flavors.
Experiment with these suggestions to create your perfect Indian feast at home!
Make Ahead & Storage Tips
Instant Pot Indian Butter Chicken is fantastic for meal prep! Its flavors tend to meld and deepen even further the next day, making it an excellent dish to cook in advance.
- Refrigeration: Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. The sauce might thicken slightly upon cooling, but it will loosen up when reheated.
- Freezing: This dish freezes wonderfully! Once cooled completely, transfer the butter chicken to freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags. It can be frozen for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
- Reheating: To reheat, gently warm the butter chicken on the stovetop over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, until heated through. You might need to add a splash of chicken broth or water to achieve your desired sauce consistency. For microwave reheating, use short intervals and stir in between. Avoid boiling vigorously, especially if you have cream in the sauce, as it can sometimes separate.
Enjoying delicious, homemade Indian Butter Chicken has never been easier, whether fresh from the pot or as a convenient leftover!