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Instant Pot Butter Chicken

Close-up of creamy, orange Instant Pot Butter Chicken pieces garnished with dried herbs in a white bowl.
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Make rich, creamy Butter Chicken quickly using your Instant Pot. This recipe delivers authentic flavor with minimal hands-on time.

Ingredients

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  • 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into 1-inch pieces
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 large onion, chopped
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon turmeric powder
  • 1 teaspoon garam masala
  • 1 teaspoon cumin powder
  • 1 teaspoon coriander powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper (adjust to taste)
  • 1 (14.5 ounce) can crushed tomatoes
  • 1/2 cup chicken broth
  • 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt or heavy cream
  • 1/4 cup unsalted butter
  • 1 tablespoon honey or sugar
  • 1 teaspoon dried fenugreek leaves (kasuri methi), crushed
  • Fresh cilantro, chopped, for garnish

Instructions

  1. Set the Instant Pot to the Sauté function. Add olive oil. When hot, add the chicken pieces and brown them slightly on all sides. Remove the chicken and set it aside.
  2. Add the chopped onion to the pot and cook until softened, about 4 minutes. Add the garlic and ginger and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
  3. Stir in the salt, turmeric, garam masala, cumin, coriander, and cayenne pepper. Cook for 30 seconds, stirring constantly.
  4. Pour in the crushed tomatoes and chicken broth, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pot.
  5. Return the browned chicken to the pot. Secure the lid and set the vent to Sealing.
  6. Cook on High Pressure for 6 minutes.
  7. Once cooking is complete, perform a Quick Release (QR) of the pressure.
  8. Stir in the butter, Greek yogurt (or cream), honey, and crushed fenugreek leaves until the butter is melted and the sauce is smooth.
  9. Taste and adjust salt or spice as needed. Serve hot garnished with fresh cilantro.

Notes

  • For a smoother sauce, blend a portion of the cooked chicken and sauce before stirring in the final ingredients.
  • Use heavy cream instead of Greek yogurt for a richer, more traditional texture.
  • Crushing the fenugreek leaves between your palms before adding them releases maximum aroma.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://magazinemeal.com/instant-pot-butter-chicken-recipe/