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30 Minutes or Less / Chicken / Main Dishes

Instant Pot Butter Chicken

Instant Pot Butter Chicken: Skip the take-out and make this rich and creamy restaurant quality Butter Chicken! It’s ready in 30 minutes and will soon become your next favorite meal!

Need more Instant Pot or One Pot Meals? Check out this Apple Cider Pork Tenderloin, Instant Pot Pork Belly Ramen, 40 Clove Garlic Chicken, or this One Pot Chili Mac and Cheese!

Bowl of Instant Pot Butter Chicken with White Rice

This recipe was born out of a request from my mom. She was looking for something quick and easy after a long day at work. Low carb was a plus – just don’t serve it with rice! Also, she wanted something with a lot flavor and but not too spicy. So mama, here you go, this Instant Pot Butter Chicken is just for you. Love you. xo

Ingredients for making Instant Pot Butter Chicken

14.5 oz can of diced or crushed tomatoes
Minced garlic
Minced ginger or ginger paste
Garam Masala
Smoked Paprika
Cayenne Pepper
Ground Cumin
Turmeric
Curry Powder
Kosher Salt
Chicken Stock
Boneless Skinless Chicken Thighs
Whipping Cream (you may substitute Half & Half, Coconut Milk, or Greek Yogurt)
Unsalted Butter

Ingredients used to make Butter Chicken

How to make Butter Chicken in the Instant Pot

This recipe takes very little effort and you’ll be shocked at just how flavorful it is! Not for nothing, but the sauce is good enough to drink!

To pull the sauce together for this Butter Chicken, you will need either an Immersion blender or a standard blender.

Immersion blender: Add the tomatoes, garlic, ginger, garam masala, cayenne pepper, ground cumin, smoked paprika, turmeric, curry powder, salt, and chicken stock to the Instant Pot. Using the Immersion Blender blend until smooth

Standard Blender: Add the above ingredients to a blender jar and blend until smooth. Then, add the sauce to the Instant Pot and continue with the recipe.

Next, add the chicken to the Instant Pot and make sure it is completely submerged in the sauce. You can either cut the chicken up beforehand or after it cooks. It’s up to you.

Then, close the Instant Pot and make sure that the vent is sealed. Next, cook on Manual High Pressure for 10 minutes. Once the Instant Pot Butter Chicken is done cooking, allow the Instant Pot to natural release for another 10 minutes.

Once 10 minutes has passed, release the rest of the pressure from the Instant Pot. Turn the Instant Pot to
sauté , add the butter and whipped cream. Stir until butter is melted and allow the sauce to thicken slightly – approximately 5 minutes. Make sure not to allow the sauce to burn.

NOTE: If you are serving with rice, make your rice while the Instant Pot is cooking so the rice will be done around the same time as the Butter Chicken.

Chicken Thighs vs Chicken Breasts

I highly recommend chicken thighs for this Instant Pot Butter Chicken. However, if you are in a pinch you can use chicken breasts. Chicken thighs tend to stay more tender and juicy than a standard chicken breast, but, both are still super delicious here!

Close-up photo of Instant Pot Butter Chicken with white rice

How to Store Leftovers

If you happen to have any leftovers, it can be stored in an air tight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. Instant Pot Butter Chicken freezes very well. It can be stored in the freezer for up to 3 months.

Butter Chicken Sauce

This sauce is TO. DIE. FOR. Honestly, I could drink it. It’s rich, silky, and totally comforting. It’s packed with flavor without being spicy. If you find yourself with leftover sauce, here are some ideas to help you figure out how to use it up:

  • Use it as pizza sauce
  • Freeze it for the next time you make Butter Chicken
  • Use it as a pasta sauce
  • Over crispy potatoes
  • Use it as a dip

It’s really that good.

Two bowls of Instant Pot Butter Chicken with white rice

This quick and easy meal has quickly become one of our family’s favorites. It’s also low carb and keto friendly – serve over a plate of steamed broccoli or enjoy on its own!

This Braised Short Rib Recipe is another incredible recipe! Takes just a few minutes to prep and let the oven do the rest of the work!

Bowl of Instant Pot Butter Chicken with White Rice

Instant Pot Butter Chicken

Yield: 4 servings
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes

Ingredients

  • 1 (14.5 oz) can Diced or Crushed Tomatoes (DO NOT DRAIN)
  • 6-8 Cloves Minced Garlic
  • 2 tsp Minced Ginger or Ginger Paste
  • 1 tbsp Garam Masala
  • 1 tbsp Smoked Paprika
  • 1/2 tsp Cayenne Pepper
  • 1 tsp Ground Cumin
  • 1 tsp Turmeric
  • 1/2 tsp Curry Powder
  • 1 tsp Kosher Salt
  • 1 cup Chicken stock
  • 2 lbs Boneless Skinless Chicken Thighs
  • 1 cup Whipping Cream (may also use half & half or coconut milk)
  • 4 tbsp Butter, Unsalted

Instructions

  1. Pour can of tomatoes into the bottom of the Instant Pot
  2. Add garlic, ginger, garam masala, smoked paprika, cayenne pepper, ground cumin, turmeric, curry powder, salt, and chicken stock
  3. With an immersion blender, blend the ingredients thoroughly
  4. Next, add the chicken thighs to the sauce and make sure that they are completely covered by sauce
  5. If the thighs are still peeking through, add a little bit more liquid - either water or chicken stock - until the chicken is covered
  6. Close the Instant Pot, making sure the vent is sealed, cook on Manual High for 10 minutes
  7. Once the Instant Pot is done cooking, allow the IP to natural pressure release for another 10 minutes
  8. Then, release the rest of the pressure from the IP
  9. Next, turn the IP to sauté then, add the whipping cream and butter
  10. Allow to come to a simmer and stir until the butter is melted
  11. Serve over rice or mashed potatoes - if you have any Naan, ever better!

Notes

If you do not have an immersion blender, use a regular blender to blend the sauce together then add it to the Instant Pot and continue recipe as normal.

Nutrition Information:
Yield: 6 Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 496Total Fat: 35gSaturated Fat: 18gTrans Fat: 1gUnsaturated Fat: 16gCholesterol: 251mgSodium: 766mgCarbohydrates: 8gFiber: 2gSugar: 3gProtein: 40g

The nutritional values above are auto calculated by a nutrition program and can vary based on brands of ingredients used.

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21 Comments

  • Dahn
    August 19, 2020 at 11:15 am

    Butter chicken is so addicting. I personally love it with rice but if mom is looking for a low carb solution then cauliflower rice is quite nice with it as well. This looks fabulous and the Instant Pot makes it so easy.

    Reply
    • Kerri
      August 19, 2020 at 1:30 pm

      yes! cauli rice is a great alternative!

      Reply
  • veenaazmanov
    August 19, 2020 at 11:17 am

    So many amazing flavors to this dish. Love the Instant Pot option making this dish so flavorful and yum. Such a comforting meal too.

    Reply
    • Kerri
      August 19, 2020 at 1:30 pm

      thank you!

      Reply
  • SHANIKA
    August 19, 2020 at 11:31 am

    This Butter Chicken looks so creamy and full of flavor! Such the perfect weeknight meal!

    Reply
    • Kerri
      August 19, 2020 at 1:31 pm

      it really is! thank you, shanika!

      Reply
  • Chef Mireille
    August 19, 2020 at 11:39 am

    I agree with you. I replace most chicken breast recipes with chicken thighs as breast dry out so easily. This is one of the easiest Butter Chicken recipes I’ve seen. This is so convenient that I can definitely add it to the weekly repertoire.

    Reply
    • Kerri
      August 19, 2020 at 1:30 pm

      thank you! enjoy!

      Reply
  • Amanda
    August 19, 2020 at 7:00 pm

    Perfect use of my instant pot and my whole family kept asking for more!

    Reply
  • Toni Dash
    August 20, 2020 at 10:28 am

    This is absolutely amazing!! A huge hit at my house!!

    Reply
  • katerina @ diethood.com
    August 20, 2020 at 11:31 am

    YUM!! Such an amazing dish!! I love that I can make it in my instant pot!

    Reply
  • Beti | easyweeknightrecipes
    August 20, 2020 at 11:32 am

    I am so excited to try this recipe! It sounds incredibly delicious!

    Reply
  • Sara Welch
    August 20, 2020 at 6:07 pm

    Another great recipe for my Instant Pot! Adding this to my dinner line up for the week; looks too good to pass up!

    Reply
  • Kay
    August 21, 2020 at 10:46 am

    Came out perfect! Thank you x

    Reply
    • Kerri
      August 21, 2020 at 10:49 am

      I’m so happy you enjoyed it!

      Reply
  • Emily Flint
    August 21, 2020 at 11:13 am

    I’ve always wanted to try butter chicken and now I can’t wait to make this in my Instant Pot!! The flavors sound so delicious!

    Reply
    • Kerri
      August 21, 2020 at 11:52 am

      Thank you! I hope you try it!

      Reply
  • Chef Dennis
    August 22, 2020 at 5:56 am

    This Instant Pot Butter Chicken is making my tummy go loco!

    Reply
  • Sarah James
    August 22, 2020 at 7:55 am

    Wow, butter chicken is my favourite curry. Now I can make it easily in my Instant Pot . Can’t wait to try it.

    Reply
  • Amanda Marie Boyle
    August 23, 2020 at 7:42 am

    I hadn’t had butter chicken before this recipe! So easy, love having a new instapot recipe!

    Reply
  • Cathy
    August 23, 2020 at 12:03 pm

    The seasonings are spot on!

    Reply

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