This easy butter chicken recipe is a classic. It is so flavorful and delicious. Plus, making it in the Instant Pot really makes it great for busy nights.
The easy butter chicken recipe is creamy and spicy and the chicken is so moist and tender. This recipe is an easy way to dip your toe into cooking Indian food. It will definitely become a family favorite in your house.
Butter chicken was actually a happy accident. Find out more here.
- Quick to Make: Comes together so fast in the Instant Pot.
- Easy Ingredients: Everything that you should have on hand.
- Family Friendly: A really people pleaser, your family will love it.
- Adaptable: Can make it dairy free if you need to.
- Makes Great Leftovers: This is one of those dishes you never tire of and will love the recipes.
What You Need to Make Easy Butter Chicken
Ingredients
- chicken breast
- onion
- butter
- minced garlic
- tomato sauce
- tomato paste
- paprika
- chili powder
- curry powder
- cumin
- salt
- cilantro
- heavy whipping cream
Equipment
- My Instant Pot
- Accessories for instant pot
- Vegetable Chopper
- Garlic Press
How to Make Easy Butter Chicken in the Instant Pot – Step by Step
- Saute : First, set the instant pot to sauté and add butter, then add the onion and sauté until onion is golden.
- Chicken: Second, toss in the garlic and add the chicken. Once chicken is browned, add the spices, tomato sauce, tomato paste, and cilantro.
- Cook: Next, cook on high pressure for 10 minutes and then naturally release pressure.
- Cream: Finally, stir in cream and cook for 4 minutes.
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Common Questions About Butter Chicken
This recipe stores well in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
Of course, use your favorite oil and coconut cream for this recipe.
Indeed you can se boneless, skinless chicken thighs instead of chicken breasts. The flavor would be awesome.
Definitely, this can be frozen for up to three months in an airtight container.
Try basmati rice and some great Naan bread. Here is my favorite recipe.
Expert Tips for Making this easy chicken dish.
- This Recipe Can be Doubled: A great recipe for a crowd. Simply increase the ingredients and serve.
- Add more spice: Cinnamon, fresh ginger,more garlic, turmeric, garam marsala are all great in this dish.
- Variation tip: Feel free to make this the traditional way and marinate the chicken for a half an hour in yogurt, lemon juice and spices before sauteing.
- Alternate ingredient: Not a fan of cilantro, omit it or alternatively use parsley.
⭐⭐⭐ RATE THIS RECIPE ⭐⭐⭐
If you’ve tried this recipe, please rate it in the comment section below.
Easy Instant Pot Butter Chicken
Ingredients
- 2-3 chicken breast , cut into 2” bites
- ½ onion , diced
- 1 stick butter
- 5 tablespoons minced garlic
- 1 15 oz can tomato sauce
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 tablespoon paprika
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 3 tablespoons curry powder
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ¼ cup chopped cilantro
- 1 cup heavy whipping cream
Instructions
- Set the instant pot to sauté mode and melt the butter. Add the onion and sauté until onion is golden.
- Toss in the garlic and sauté for 2 minutes
- Add the chicken and brown the outside. Once chicken is browned, add the spices, tomato sauce, tomato paste, and cilantro. Sauté for 1 minute.
- Seal the lid and pressure valve and cook on high pressure for 10 minutes. Let the instant pot naturally release pressure when done.
- Remove the lid and stir in the cream for 4 minutes.
- Enjoy best with basmati rice and fresh garlic naan.
Expert Tips
- This Recipe Can be Doubled: A great recipe for a crowd. Simply increase the ingredients and serve.
- Add more spice: Cinnamon, fresh ginger,more garlic, turmeric, garam marsala are all great in this dish.
- Variation tip: Feel free to make this the traditional way and marinate the chicken for a half an hour in yogurt, lemon juice and spices before sauteing.
- Alternate ingredient: Not a fan of cilantro, omit it or alternatively use parsley.
Estimated Nutritional Information
The nutritional information provided are estimates. To learn more about how I calculate this information go to www.itisakeeper.com/about-its-a-keeper/privacy-disclosure-policies/
This recipe is my personal adaptation of an ethnic inspired recipe. It is not intended to be an authentic recipe. I’ve recreated this recipe because I enjoy the flavors and I want to encourage my readers to expand their tastes and try new flavor combinations. The recipe, ingredients and processes may have been adapted to make the recipe accessible for the average American. I have provided links to authentic versions of the recipe in the post above. I encourage you to visit these pages and learn more about the traditional version(s) of this recipe.
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This recipe is my personal adaption of an ethnic inspired recipe. It is not intended to be an authentic recipe. I’ve recreated this recipe because I enjoy the flavors and I want to encourage my readers to expand their tastes and try new flavor combinations. The recipe, ingredients and processes may have been adapted to make the recipe accessible for the average American. I have provided links to authentic versions of the recipe in the post above. I encourage you to visit these pages and learn more about the traditional version(s) of this recipe.
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Love this recipe – so easy and flavorful
This tasted so amazing! Thanks a lot for sharing this super easy to make butter chicken recipe! Fam really loves it! Will surely have this again! Highly recommended!
Your photos are gorgeous and making me SOOOO hungry! I love butter chicken and have yet to make it in the Instant Pot. So, this is definitely on my list of “must try soons”. Thanks for sharing!