Instant Pot Butter Chicken

Instant Pot Butter Chicken | Pressure Cooker Butter Chicken | Butter Chicken Recipe | Instant Pot Indian Recipes | Instant Pot Asian Recipes | Instant Pot Chicken Recipes | Easy Chicken Dinner | Instant Pot Recipes

Make this Glorious Indian Instant Pot Butter Chicken now! Creamy Hearty Butter Chicken bursting with layers of sweet-savory-spiced-tangy-umami flavors. You’ll fall madly in love with this glorious buttery sauce. Satisfyingly easy chicken dinner!

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Instant Pot Butter Chicken | Pressure Cooker Butter Chicken | Butter Chicken Recipe | Instant Pot Indian Recipes | Instant Pot Asian Recipes | Instant Pot Chicken Recipes | Easy Chicken Dinner | Instant Pot Recipes

I seriously have a thing for curry, whether it’s Japanese, Indian, Thai, or Hong Kong Curry…

Love me some glorious curry sauce!! It’s interesting to taste how each culture adapts their curries in a unique way to suit local tastes & ingredients.

I simply love how the complex combinations of spices, herbs, and ingredients create such a deep explosion of layers of flavors, plus the creamy, thick & rich curry gravy.

And Butter Chicken is simply a “love at first bite”.

What is Butter Chicken?

Is Butter Chicken an actual Indian dish?

Yes! Butter Chicken (aka murgh makhani) actually originated from northern India, created by Kundan Lal Gujral in 1948.

Who knew this mild butter-based curry sauce could capture the hearts of many and became a gateway to the delicious depths of Indian cuisine?!

Slightly sweet, savory, mildly spiced, tangy, tomatoey, buttery, wholesome, hearty, satisfying, creamy, comforting, thick, soup-like textured sauce. oh, my heavenly goooood!!

Time to cook this Glorious Butter Chicken in Instant Pot!

P.S. No need to marinate ahead of time 😉 Enjoy~

Step-by-Step Instant Pot Butter Chicken Guide

Instant Pot Butter Chicken | Pressure Cooker Butter Chicken | Butter Chicken Recipe | Instant Pot Indian Recipes | Instant Pot Asian Recipes | Instant Pot Chicken Recipes | Easy Chicken Dinner | Instant Pot Recipes

Don’t be intimidated! This is a Super Easy dish to put together.

Instant Pot Butter Chicken Recipe Ingredients

*Soy Sauce: It may not be a traditional Indian ingredient, but it’s our own little twist to boost up the umami flavors. Try it and see what you think!

Step 1

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Brown Chicken Thighs

First, heat up Instant Pot Pressure Cooker using Sauté More function.

*Tip: For older version, press “Saute” button, then “Adjust” button. For newer version, press “Saute” button twice.

Instant Pot Saute More Function

Wait until it says HOT (takes roughly 8 minutes).

Pat dry the skinless chicken thighs, then season one side with some kosher salt.

Add 2 tbsp (30g) ghee or unsalted butter.

Instant Pot Butter Chicken: add ghee in Instant Pot Pressure Cooker

Then, brown 2 sides of the chicken thighs in Instant Pot for 3 minutes per side.

Instant Pot Butter Chicken: brown chicken thighs in Instant Pot Pressure Cooker

Set aside the browned chicken thighs.

Step 2

Saute Onions and Spices

Add sliced onions in Instant Pot, and saute for 4 minutes.

Instant Pot Butter Chicken: saute onions in Instant Pot Pressure Cooker

Add minced ginger, garlic, 2 tbsp (24g) garam masala, 2 tbsp (24g) sugar, 3 tbsp (22g) paprika, 1 tsp (2g) ground turmeric, 1 ¼ tsp (2.5g) ground coriander, and 1 ¼ tsp (2.5g) ground cumin. Then, saute for another minute.

Instant Pot Butter Chicken: saute ginger, garlic, garam masala, sugar, paprika, tumeric, coriander, cumin in Instant Pot Pressure Cooker

Step 3

Deglaze Instant Pot

Pour in ½ cup (125ml) unsalted chicken stock, then completely deglaze the bottom of the pot with a wooden spoon.

*Pro Tip – Burn Error: If your Instant Pot is more sensitive to the “BURN” notice (usually the newer versions of Instant Pot), use 1 cup (250ml) unsalted chicken stock instead.

Instant Pot Butter Chicken: deglaze Instant Pot Pressure Cooker inner pot

Turn off the heat briefly.

Step 4

Pressure Cook Butter Chicken

Add in 3 tbsp (45ml) regular soy sauce.

*Note: Soy sauce may not be a traditional Indian ingredient, but it’s Amy + Jacky’s little twist to boost up the umami flavors. Try it and see what you think! 🙂

Then, add browned chicken thighs (and the meat juice!) back in the Instant Pot.

Add in freshly squeezed lemon juice from half a lemon (20ml).

Layer 1 cup (225g) tomato paste on top and do not mix! Leave it as is, as shown in below photo.

Instant Pot Butter Chicken: layer tomato paste in Instant Pot Pressure Cooker

Close lid and turn Venting Knob to the Sealing position.

Pressure Cooking Method: Pressure Cook at High Pressure for 6 minutes*, then 10 minutes Natural Release.

*Pro Tip – Pressure Cooking Time Chart:

  • Chicken Breasts: High Pressure 5 mins
  • Boneless Chicken Thighs: High Pressure 5 mins
  • Chicken Drumsticks: High Pressure 7 mins
  • Chicken Cubes: High Pressure 2 mins

Instant Pot High Pressure Pressure Cooking Program

After 10 minutes, release the remaining pressure by turning the Venting Knob to Venting position.

Instant Pot Butter Chicken: pressure cooked butter chicken in Instant Pot Pressure Cooker

Remove the lid carefully and give it a few gentle stirs so the tomato paste infuses into the sauce (as shown in below photo).

Instant Pot Butter Chicken: stir tomato paste into butter chicken sauce

Step 5

Make Butter Chicken Sauce

Set aside the chicken thighs in a serving bowl.

Mix in 1 ½ cup (370g) plain yogurt and cup (83ml) heavy cream.

Instant Pot Butter Chicken: mix in heavy cream and yogurt in Instant Pot Pressure Cooker

If you want a smoother butter chicken sauce, you can blend it with an immersion blender.

Instant Pot Butter Chicken: blend butter chicken sauce with immersion blender for smoother texture

Taste and adjust the seasoning with more salt, sugar, lemon juice, and yogurt.

For Reference: we added 3 pinches of salt + a tablespoon lemon juice.

Step 6

Serve Instant Pot Butter Chicken

Add chicken thighs back in the Instant Pot and give them a quick mix.

Instant Pot Butter Chicken: add pressure cooked chicken thighs in Instant Pot Pressure Cooker

Garnish with cilantro and serve with your favorite side dishes.

Instant Pot Butter Chicken | Pressure Cooker Butter Chicken | Butter Chicken Recipe | Instant Pot Indian Recipes | Instant Pot Asian Recipes | Instant Pot Chicken Recipes | Easy Chicken Dinner | Instant Pot Recipes

Enjoy your Glorious Instant Pot Butter Chicken!~ 😀

4.91 from 160 votes

Instant Pot Butter Chicken

Author: Amy + Jacky
Make this Glorious Indian Instant Pot Butter Chicken now! Creamy Hearty Butter Chicken burst with layers of flavors. You won't be able to stop slurping the glorious rich buttery sauce. Satisfyingly easy chicken dinner.
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Servings 4
Total Time 42 minutes
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Ingredients

Garnish:

  • Fresh cilantro

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Instructions 

  • Brown Chicken Thighs: Heat up Instant Pot using Sauté More function. Wait until it says HOT (~8 mins).
    Pat dry the skinless chicken thighs, then season one side with some kosher salt.
    Add 2 tbsp (30g) ghee or unsalted butter. Then, brown 2 sides of the chicken thighs in Instant Pot for 3 minutes per side. Set aside the browned chicken thighs.
  • Saute Onions and Spices: Add sliced onions in Instant Pot, and saute for 4 minutes.
    Add minced ginger, garlic, 2 tbsp (24g) garam masala, 2 tbsp (24g) sugar, 3 tbsp (22g) paprika, 1 tsp (2g) ground turmeric, 1 ¼ tsp (2.5g) ground coriander, and 1 ¼ tsp (2.5g) ground cumin. Then, saute for another minute.
  • Deglaze Instant Pot: Pour in ½ cup (125ml) unsalted chicken stock, then completely deglaze the bottom of the pot. Turn off the heat briefly.
    *Amy + Jacky's Tip - Burn Error: If your Instant Pot is more sensitive to the "BURN" notice, use 1 cup (250ml) unsalted chicken stock instead.
  • Pressure Cook Butter Chicken: Add 3 tbsp (45ml) regular soy sauce, browned chicken thighs (& the meat juice!), then add freshly squeezed lemon juice from half a lemon (20ml) in Instant Pot.
    Layer 1 cup (225g) tomato paste on top and do not mix! 
    Pressure Cook at High Pressure for 6 minutes*, then 10 minutes Natural Release. 
    *Pressure Cooking Time Chart:
    -Chicken Breasts: High Pressure 5 mins
    -Boneless Chicken Thighs: High Pressure 5 mins
    -Chicken Drumsticks: High Pressure 7 mins
    -Chicken Cubes: High Pressure 2 mins
    Remove the lid carefully and give it a few gentle stirs so the tomato paste infuses into the sauce.
  • Make Butter Chicken Sauce: Set aside the chicken thighs in a serving bowl. Mix in 1 ½ cup (370g) plain yogurt and ⅓ cup (83ml) heavy cream.
    For smoother butter chicken sauce, blend sauce with an immersion blender.
    Taste and adjust the seasoning with more salt, sugar, lemon juice, and yogurt. For Reference: we added 3 pinches of salt + a tablespoon lemon juice.
  • Serve: Add chicken back in Instant Pot, then give them a quick mix.
    Garnish with cilantro. Serve with your favorite side dishes. Enjoy every bite of this Glorious Butter Chicken!~ 🙂

Notes

1. Burn Error: If your Instant Pot is more sensitive to the "BURN" notice (usually the newer versions of Instant Pot), use 1 cup (250ml) unsalted chicken stock instead.
2. Soy Sauce: It may not be a traditional Indian ingredient, but it's our own little twist to boost up the umami flavors. Try it and see what you think!
Rate Amy + Jacky's Recipe: If you've tried our recipe, don't forget to rate the recipe in the Comments section. Thank you!
Calories: 549kcal
Course: Dinner, Entree, Lunch
Cuisine: Asian, Indian
Keyword: butter chicken recipe, instant pot butter chicken, instant pot chicken recipes, instant pot Indian recipes, instapot butter chicken, pressure cooker butter chicken

Nutrition

Calories: 549kcal | Carbohydrates: 37g | Protein: 43g | Fat: 26g | Saturated Fat: 13g | Cholesterol: 219mg | Sodium: 1490mg | Potassium: 1552mg | Fiber: 7g | Sugar: 21g | Vitamin A: 4010IU | Vitamin C: 23.4mg | Calcium: 210mg | Iron: 5.7mg

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