Instant Pot Butter Chicken Recipe

Our tender chicken is marinated and then pressure-cooked in flavorful spices and seasonings to make a creamy and mild instant pot butter chicken recipe.

Did you know you can make butter chicken in your instant pot? Speed up the cooking process and still enjoy all the rich flavorful components of this popular Indian dish. Instant pot butter chicken is so easy to make and the velvety and creamy sauce throws this main dish to a whole new level. Skip takeout and stay in for dinner tonight.

When I lived overseas the Indian food was amazing. The flavors and colors just took my breath away at times. I went to a friend’s recently who shares my love of this beautiful food. She has an instant pot so we made this butter chicken recipe and y’all, it is truly heaven!

If you have an electric pressure cooker, you know how wonderful they are. Quicker cook time, no heating up the house like the stove or oven, plus it uses less electricity. Create wholesome and flavorful meals like this easy butter chicken recipe in a fraction of the time of a traditional recipe.

Before we dive in, I gotta be honest with y’all. There are a lot of ingredients for this dish. Basically, the chicken is marinated in a blend of spices (you’ll see them below). Then we need even more seasonings to make our creamy butter chicken sauce. But, man oh man, the flavors are outstanding so I promise it’s worth a little extra effort. 

Ready to give my instant pot chicken recipe a go?

Recipe Ingredients

• Boneless skinless chicken breast
• Greek yogurt
• Salt and black pepper
• Red chili powder
• Ginger garlic paste
• Garam masala
• Coriander
• Butter
• Onion
• Cashews
• Ketchup
• Kasuri Methi (dried fenugreek leaves. You can use Fenugreek seeds or even dried spinach or kale).
• Tomato puree
• Water
• Sugar
• Fresh cream
• Cilantro (or basil if you can’t stand cilantro)

Helpful Kitchen Tools

• Pressure Cooker
• Mixing Bowl

How to Make Instant Pot Butter Chicken

Start with your bowl and add all of the marinade ingredients (see recipe card below).

Cover the chicken pieces and let them marinate for at least 30 minutes.

Next, you will turn your pressure cooker to the saute mode and add a tablespoon of butter.

Toss in the chicken pieces and cook till lightly brown.

Transfer the chicken to a plate and set it aside.

Next, you will add in the cashews, onions, and 1/2 cup of water.

Use a wooden spoon to deglaze the bottom of the pot and remove stuck-on bits.

Otherwise, you will get a burn notice when you pressure cook.

Remove the onions and cashews and blend in a blender until a smooth paste is created. Then set it aside.

Back to the instant pot, add another tablespoon of butter and ginger paste, and saute until fragrant.

Then toss in the chili powder, salt, and coriander, and stir.

Add in the cashew onion paste, stirring.

Then pour in the tomato puree and stir and cook for 6 minutes.

Add the chicken to the tomato sauce along with a cup of water and stir to combine.

Turn saute off and place the pressure cooker lid on.

Make sure the valve is set to sealing then pressure cook on high pressure for 10 minutes with a natural release of 10 minutes.

Once done, remove the lid, hit the saute button again, and add in the Kasuri Methi, garam masala, sugar, and ketchup.

Allow it to cook for 3-4 minutes and stir often or it will burn.

Add in the cream and 1 tablespoon of butter and stir well.

Turn saute off and your instant pot butter chicken is done!

Serve over basmati rice with naan or roti and top with cilantro and sour cream.

Storage

If you have leftovers, they can store for 3-4 days in the refrigerator in an airtight container. Or if you want, freeze for 3 months. Thaw the leftovers and then reheat them in the microwave or on the stovetop until heated through.

Recipe Notes

• The ketchup adds a nice tangy component to the chicken. But you can leave it out or swap it for tomato paste instead if you like.
• When searing the chicken, do not cook the chicken fully, just enough to create a brown color to help lock in flavor and moisture.
• The sugar helps to balance all the spices and herbs. But you do not have to add it in if you don’t want to.
• Any boneless chicken works for this recipe. Boneless skinless chicken thighs have some darker meat which will hold and thus add more flavor.
• Make sure to fully deglaze your pot before you pressure cook or it will give you a burn notice when you go to start pressure cooking.
• Kasuri methi is dried fenugreek leaves and is optional but recommended. It’s a must for authentic flavor and aroma. It’s mainly used to bring out a pleasant aroma to dishes cooked with Garam Masala. If you can’t find leaves you can use fenugreek seeds, or even dried spinach or kale. But as noted, using fenugreek really makes the flavor pop.
• Instead of heavy cream, you can use milk, half and half, or coconut milk.
• Other fresh herbs you can use as a garnish include parsley or mint leaves.
• Other creamy condiments include cream or plain Greek yogurt.

Recipe FAQs

What is butter chicken?

Butter chicken is an Indian cuisine recipe. This chicken is a form of mild curry that is super creamy and offers a thick tomato-based sauce that covers the chicken. You will find this dish is traditionally paired with rice and naan bread.

What is garam masala made of?

Garam masala is a staple Indian spice made with a combination of warm ground spices. These include cinnamon, cardamon, peppercorns, mustard seeds, nutmeg, coriander seeds, cloves, and cumin.

Is this dish spicy?

You are able to control the spice factor in this dish. The dish itself has spices used in it, but it is not considered spicy. Stir in some red pepper flakes or even some curry sauce to help amplify the heat if you want extra.

What does it mean to naturally release pressure in the instant pot?

To naturally release pressure means exactly what it sounds like. Because the pressure cooker or instant pot needs pressure to cook, you have to naturally release it, otherwise, you may have a mini explosion on your hands! So when I say set the natural release for 10 minutes, you just let the instant pot sit on your counter and wait for a 10 to flash on the screen. Then use a spoon to release any remaining pressure in the instant pot before opening the lid.

What do you serve with this butter chicken instant pot recipe?

Serve the butter chicken on a bed of basmati rice, brown rice, or cauliflower rice. I also recommend serving it with naan bread or roti.

You may also like these other easy chicken recipes:

Easy Chicken and Rice Soup

Crockpot Fiesta Chicken and Rice

Teriyaki Chicken Stir Fry With Brown Rice

Slow Cooker Chicken and Wild Rice

Chicken Fried Brown Rice

Cheesy Chicken and Rice (Crockpot Version)