Instant Pot Butter Chicken

This Instant Pot Butter Chicken is an easy, flavorful dinner with tender chicken in a rich, creamy tomato sauce seasoned with warm Indian spices. It’s simple to make, requires no sautéing, and is perfect served with basmati rice or naan.

Prep Time10

Cook Time20

Total Time30

Course: Chicken recipes, Instant Pot recipes

Cuisine: American

Keyword: instant pot butter chicken, instant pot butter chicken recipe

Servings:

Author: Tatiana

Equipment

Instant Pot

Ingredients

Chicken & Sauce

1 pound chicken breasts boneless, skinless , cut into 1½-inch pieces
1 14-ounce can diced tomatoes
5 cloves garlic minced
1 tablespoon freshly grated ginger
1 teaspoon EACH: garam masala, ground cumin, smoked paprika, ground turmeric, kosher salt
½ teaspoon cayenne pepper or to taste

To Finish

¼ cup ½ stick unsalted butter, cut into cubes
½ cup heavy cream
1 teaspoon garam masala
¼ cup chopped fresh cilantro plus more for serving

Instructions

Add the tomatoes, garlic, ginger, turmeric, cayenne, paprika, salt, garam masala, and cumin to the Instant Pot. Stir well to combine.
Arrange the chicken over the tomato mixture and gently press it into the sauce.
Secure the lid and set the valve to Sealing. Pressure cook on High for 4 minutes, followed by a 5-minute natural release. Carefully release the remaining pressure. Transfer the chicken to a plate and set aside.
Use an immersion blender to blend the tomato mixture directly in the Instant Pot until completely smooth.
Let the sauce cool for 2–3 minutes, then stir in the butter, heavy cream, and remaining 1 teaspoon garam masala until smooth and creamy.
Return the chicken to the sauce and stir gently to coat. Use Sauté briefly if needed to heat everything through.
Serve with rice or naan and garnish with fresh cilantro.

Notes

Use similar-size chicken pieces: Cut the chicken into about 1½-inch pieces so they cook evenly and stay juicy.
No sautéing required: Adding everything directly to the Instant Pot keeps the recipe easy and helps reduce the risk of a Burn warning.
Use diced tomatoes: Their extra liquid helps the Instant Pot come to pressure and reduces the risk of a Burn warning. Avoid substituting thick tomato sauce or tomato paste.
Blend carefully: Remove the chicken before using an immersion blender to create a smooth, creamy sauce.
Add the dairy after pressure cooking: Stir in the butter and heavy cream at the end for the best texture and to prevent separation.

Nutrition