Few dishes offer the soul-warming comfort and rich flavors quite like authentic butter chicken on a cold winter evening. This Instant Pot version brings the beloved Indian restaurant classic right to your kitchen with remarkably little effort and time. What makes this recipe truly exceptional is how the pressure cooking intensifies the aromatic spices and creates that signature creamy, velvety sauce that coats every piece of tender chicken perfectly. The magic happens when traditional flavors meet modern convenience, allowing you to achieve restaurant-quality results in under an hour without standing over the stove. Whether you’re introducing your family to Indian cuisine, impressing dinner guests, or simply treating yourself to something extraordinary, this butter chicken delivers on every level. It’s surprisingly approachable for home cooks, using accessible ingredients and straightforward techniques that anyone can master. Best of all, the warming spices and rich tomato-cream sauce create exactly the kind of comforting meal you crave when temperatures drop outside and you need something deeply satisfying to warm you from within.
Ingredients
This recipe makes 6 generous servings.
For the Chicken Marinade:
- 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 cup plain yogurt (full-fat preferred)
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 2 teaspoons garam masala
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon ground coriander
- 1/2 teaspoon turmeric
- 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
For the Sauce:
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 1 large yellow onion, finely diced
- 6 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons fresh ginger, minced
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 tablespoon garam masala
- 2 teaspoons ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon ground coriander
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon turmeric
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (adjust to taste)
- 1 can (28 ounces) crushed tomatoes
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar or honey
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 2 tablespoons butter
- Fresh cilantro for garnish
For Serving:
- Basmati rice or naan bread
- Additional cilantro
- Lime wedges
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Place the chicken pieces in a large bowl and add the yogurt, lemon juice, garam masala, cumin, coriander, turmeric, cayenne, salt, and pepper.
- Mix everything together thoroughly, ensuring each piece of chicken is completely coated with the yogurt marinade.
- Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, or up to 24 hours for maximum flavor.
- Turn on your Instant Pot and select the “Sauté” function, adjusting it to normal or medium heat.
- Add the butter to the pot and let it melt completely, swirling it around to coat the bottom evenly.
- Add the diced onion to the melted butter and cook for 5 to 6 minutes, stirring occasionally, until softened and golden.
- Stir in the minced garlic and ginger, cooking for about 1 minute until wonderfully fragrant throughout.
- Add the tomato paste to the pot and stir it constantly for 1 to 2 minutes until it darkens slightly.
- Sprinkle in the garam masala, cumin, coriander, paprika, turmeric, and cayenne pepper, stirring constantly for 30 seconds.
- Pour in the crushed tomatoes and chicken broth, stirring to combine everything into a smooth sauce.
- Add the brown sugar and salt, stirring them into the tomato mixture until dissolved completely.
- Add the marinated chicken pieces along with all the marinade to the pot, stirring to coat everything evenly.
- Press “Cancel” to turn off the sauté function and scrape the bottom of the pot to release any stuck bits.
- Secure the Instant Pot lid firmly, ensuring the pressure valve is set to the “Sealing” position.
- Select the “Manual” or “Pressure Cook” function and set the timer for 10 minutes at high pressure.
- Allow the Instant Pot to come to pressure naturally, which typically takes about 8 to 10 minutes before counting begins.
- Once the cooking cycle completes, let the pressure release naturally for 5 minutes before manually releasing the rest.
- Carefully turn the valve to “Venting” after 5 minutes to release any remaining pressure completely.
- Open the lid once all pressure has released, tilting it away from you to avoid the hot steam.
- Stir in the heavy cream and the additional butter, mixing them thoroughly into the sauce.
- Select “Sauté” again and let the sauce simmer for 3 to 5 minutes to thicken slightly and develop flavors.
- Taste and adjust seasonings with additional salt, sugar, or cayenne pepper according to your preference.
- Press “Cancel” and let the butter chicken rest for 5 minutes before serving to allow the sauce to thicken further.
- Garnish generously with fresh chopped cilantro and serve over fluffy basmati rice or with warm naan bread.
Serving Tips
Spoon generous portions of butter chicken over perfectly cooked basmati rice for a classic presentation that soaks up all the delicious sauce. For an authentic experience, serve with warm naan bread, garlic naan, or roti for scooping and enjoying every last drop. This dish pairs beautifully with cucumber raita, mango chutney, or simple sliced onions and lemon wedges on the side. Additionally, roasted cauliflower, sautéed spinach, or crispy papadums make excellent accompaniments that complement the rich flavors.
For dinner parties, present the butter chicken in a beautiful serving dish garnished with cream swirls, fresh cilantro, and a sprinkle of garam masala. Consider serving family-style with multiple sides so guests can create their own perfect plate combinations. This recipe also works wonderfully for meal prep, portioned into containers with rice for easy lunches throughout the week. For a lighter option, serve over cauliflower rice or with a simple green salad dressed with lemon vinaigrette.
Storage Tips
Cool the butter chicken completely to room temperature before transferring to airtight containers for proper storage. In the refrigerator, this dish stays fresh for up to 4 days and often tastes even better the next day as the flavors continue to meld. When reheating, warm portions gently on the stovetop over medium-low heat, stirring frequently to prevent the cream from separating or scorching. Add a splash of cream or chicken broth if the sauce has thickened too much during refrigeration. Alternatively, microwave individual servings in 1-minute intervals, stirring between each session for even heating throughout the dish.
This butter chicken freezes beautifully for up to 3 months in freezer-safe containers, making it perfect for batch cooking. For best results, freeze without the heavy cream and stir in fresh cream when reheating for optimal texture and flavor. Thaw frozen portions overnight in the refrigerator, then reheat slowly on the stovetop while incorporating the cream gradually. Interestingly, the flavors actually intensify after freezing, making this an ideal candidate for advance meal preparation.
Helpful Notes
Chicken Selection: Dark meat chicken thighs provide more flavor and stay incredibly juicy during pressure cooking, though chicken breasts work perfectly if you prefer leaner meat. Cut all pieces to uniform size for even cooking.
Marinating Time: While 30 minutes produces great results, marinating overnight allows the yogurt’s enzymes to tenderize the chicken and the spices to penetrate deeply for maximum flavor.
Tomato Options: Crushed tomatoes create the smoothest sauce, while diced tomatoes add more texture. For a completely smooth sauce, blend everything with an immersion blender before adding the cream.
Spice Level Control: Adjust cayenne pepper to your heat tolerance; start with less and add more at the end if desired. Remove seeds from fresh chiles for milder heat while keeping the flavor.
Dairy Alternatives: For a lighter version, substitute half-and-half for heavy cream, or use coconut cream for a dairy-free option with complementary flavor. Full-fat coconut milk also works beautifully.
Garam Masala Quality: High-quality, fresh garam masala makes a significant difference in the final flavor. Consider making your own blend or purchase from specialty spice shops for optimal results.
Sauce Consistency: For thicker sauce, simmer longer with the lid off; for thinner sauce, add more broth or cream until you reach your preferred consistency.
Chef Tips
For even deeper flavor complexity, toast whole spices like cumin seeds, coriander seeds, and cardamom pods in a dry skillet before grinding them fresh for your sauce. Furthermore, finishing the dish with a small pat of butter and a sprinkle of kasuri methi (dried fenugreek leaves) adds authentic restaurant-quality flavor that elevates this from delicious to absolutely extraordinary.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use Greek yogurt instead of regular yogurt? Yes, Greek yogurt works perfectly and actually creates an even creamier marinade, though it may be slightly thicker than traditional Indian yogurt.
Why does my sauce look curdled? This happens when cream is added to sauce that’s too hot; always reduce heat to low and add cream slowly while stirring constantly for smooth results.
Can I make this in advance? Absolutely; prepare the entire dish up to 2 days ahead without the cream, then reheat gently and stir in fresh cream just before serving.
What if I don’t have garam masala? Make a substitute using equal parts cumin, coriander, and cinnamon with a pinch of cardamom, though authentic garam masala provides the best flavor.
Can I cook this on the stovetop instead? Yes, follow the same steps but simmer covered on low heat for 25 to 30 minutes until the chicken is tender and cooked through completely.
Did this Winter Instant Pot Butter Chicken transport you to flavor paradise? If you loved the rich, creamy, aromatic perfection of this restaurant-quality dish made right at home, please save it to your collection of favorite recipes, pin it to your Instant Pot dinner board, and share it with friends who appreciate incredible food without complicated techniques. Your enthusiasm and support inspire us to keep creating amazing recipes that bring global flavors into your kitchen with ease and confidence. Drop a comment below sharing how your butter chicken turned out or what you served alongside it, and don’t forget to rate this recipe so other home cooks can discover this warming winter favorite that’ll become a regular request in your household!
