Easy Instant Pot Butter Chicken Recipe

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Instant Pot Butter Chicken is the perfect way to bring the rich flavors of Indian food into your own kitchen without spending hours cooking. This easy butter chicken recipe, also known as murgh makhani, is loved at Indian restaurants for its tender chicken, creamy tomato-based sauce, and warm spice blend. With today’s recipe, you’ll learn how to make a restaurant-style butter chicken at home using simple ingredients and your pressure cooker—ideal for busy weeknights or when you’re craving authentic Indian food.

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The History Behind Butter Chicken 

Butter chicken, or indian butter chicken, is believed to have been created by Kundan Lal Gujral in northern India. The original recipe used marinated chicken cooked in a tandoor oven and simmered in a rich sauce made with tomato puree, cream, and whole spices. Over time, variations have developed, from chicken tikka masala to chicken korma, but the creamy sauce and fragrant spice blend remain the heart of this dish.

Why Make Butter Chicken in the Instant Pot?

Cooking this dish in a pressure cooker saves time without sacrificing flavor. The Instant Pot allows the chicken pieces to become incredibly tender while locking in all the spices. It’s ideal for busy weeknights when you want indian food without having to call your local Indian restaurant. You’ll get good butter chicken with the creamy texture you’d expect from the best results, all with a shorter cooking process.

Ingredients You’ll Need for Butter Chicken

• 4 tablespoons butter (or vegetable oil for a dairy-free version)
• 1 yellow onion, diced
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 tablespoon fresh ginger (or ginger paste)
• 6 ounces tomato paste (or tomato purée/tomato passata)
• 1 ½ cups chicken broth (or cup of water if needed)
• 1 tablespoon garam masala
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin (or cumin powder)
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1 teaspoon ground turmeric
• 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs (or chicken breasts)
• 1 teaspoon salt and black pepper to taste
• 1 cup heavy cream (or full-fat coconut milk for dairy-free version)
• Fresh cilantro for garnish

Optional additions: fenugreek leaves, red chili powder, cayenne pepper, or whole spices like black cardamom for extra depth.

How to Cook Butter Chicken in the Instant Pot

Start with the Base

Place your Instant Pot on sauté mode and add 4 tablespoons butter. Once melted, toss in the diced yellow onion. Cook on medium-high heat until the onion softens and turns slightly golden. This step builds a flavorful base for the butter chicken sauce.

Stir in the Garlic and Ginger

Stir in the minced garlic and freshly grated ginger. Cook on medium heat for about a minute, just until fragrant. This short cooking process prevents the garlic from burning while still releasing its flavor. Using fresh ginger gives a nice kick, but ginger paste also works well for busy weeknights.

Incorporate Tomato Flavor

Add 6 ounces of tomato paste and stir until the onions are coated. You can also use tomato purée, tomato passata, or even fresh tomatoes blended into a smooth sauce. Allow the tomato paste to cook for a minute or two on low heat to deepen the flavor, almost like when making pasta sauces.

Season the Sauce

Pour in 1 ½ cups chicken broth (or a cup of water if you’re out). Add garam masala, ground cumin, paprika, turmeric, black pepper, and a teaspoon salt. Stir well so the spices bloom in the liquid. This creates the creamy tomato-based sauce that indian butter chicken is known for. If you like a bit of heat, sprinkle in red chili powder or cayenne pepper.

Add the Chicken

Season 2 pounds of boneless, skinless chicken thighs (or chicken breasts) with salt and pepper. Place the marinated chicken directly into the Instant Pot, making sure they are in a single layer so they cook evenly. Submerging them in the rich sauce ensures every bite has flavor.

Pressure Cook for Tender Chicken

Close the lid, seal the vent, and set your Instant Pot to manual mode for 11 minutes. The pressure cooker will lock in flavor and leave you with tender chicken in less time than a local Indian restaurant would take to prepare it. Once cooking is done, let the pressure release naturally for 10 minutes before opening.

Finish the Sauce

Remove the chicken and set it aside. Stir in 1 cup of heavy cream. Keep the Instant Pot on warm or low heat, allowing the cream to blend into the tomato sauce. This creates the signature creamy sauce with its velvety texture.

Return the Chicken

Cut the chicken into bite-sized pieces of chicken and stir them back into the sauce. Allow the chicken to sit in the makhani sauce for a few minutes so it soaks up even more flavor. You should now have a restaurant-style butter chicken that’s ready to serve.

Garnish and Serve

Spoon the final product over fluffy basmati rice or cauliflower rice. Top with fresh cilantro and a squeeze of lemon juice or lime juice. Don’t forget the naan bread on the side—it’s perfect for soaking up every drop of the creamy texture from this good butter chicken.

Tips for the Best Results

• Use chicken thighs for a more tender chicken texture, but chicken breasts also work.
• Add fenugreek leaves for authentic makhani sauce flavor.
• For a lighter version, swap heavy cream with plain yogurt or greek yogurt.
• If making for the first time, stick to simple ingredients before experimenting with black cardamom or higher smoke point oils like olive oil.
• Store the final product in an airtight container and reheat gently over medium-low heat to maintain its creamy texture.

Conclusion

Making indian butter chicken at home doesn’t have to be complicated. With today’s recipe, you can enjoy a restaurant-style butter chicken with tender chicken pieces, a creamy tomato-based sauce, and the perfect spice blend—all cooked quickly in the Instant Pot. Whether you’re making it for the first time or adding it to your list of great recipes for busy weeknights, this easy butter chicken recipe is a perfect choice. Serve it with basmati rice and naan bread, and you’ll have a traditional Indian dish that tastes just as good as your local Indian restaurant, if not better. If you enjoy easy Instant Pot meals, you’ll love our Instant Pot Creamy Tuscan Chicken Pasta.

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