Instant Pot

Archana Mundhe's Instant Pot Butter Chicken

by:
October 12, 2018
31 Ratings
Archana Mundhe's Instant Pot Butter Chicken
Photo by Colin Price
Author Notes

Reprinted with permission from The Essential Indian Instant Pot Cookbook, copyright © 2018 by Archana Mundhe. Published by Ten Speed Press, an imprint of Penguin Random House LLC. Photograph copyright © 2018 by Colin Price.

Butter chicken, also known as chicken makhani, is more like a treat than an entrée—and quite possibly the most popular dish at any Indian restaurant. This heavenly, creamy curry highlights the robust flavors of Kashmiri chile, dried fenugreek leaves, and garam masala. Served with classic basmati rice and naan, this dish evokes excitement on any menu. —Food52

Test Kitchen Notes

Featured in: 10 Instant Pot Chicken Recipes for Comforting Dinners All Week Long and 9 Instant Pot Indian Recipes for Rich, Comforting Flavor Fast. —The Editors

  • Prep time 10 minutes
  • Cook time 25 minutes
  • Serves 4 to 6
Ingredients
  • Butter chicken
  • 2 tablespoons ghee
  • 1 large yellow onion, finely diced
  • 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs, halved and patted dry
  • 1 cup canned tomato puree
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 1 tablespoon grated fresh ginger
  • 1 tablespoon minced garlic
  • 2 teaspoons Kashmiri red chile powder or another mild red chile powder
  • 2 teaspoons kosher salt
  • 1 teaspoon garam masala
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground turmeric
  • 1/2 cup canned coconut cream (see Note)
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 2 tablespoons dried fenugreek leaves
  • 2 teaspoons sugar (optional)
  • 1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro
  • Rice
  • 1 cup basmati rice
  • 1 1/2 cups water
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
In This Recipe
Tools
Set a Timer
Directions
  1. Select the high Sauté setting on the Instant Pot and heat the ghee. Add the onion and cook until translucent, 4 to 5 minutes. Press the Cancel button to turn off the Instant Pot. Add the chicken, tomato puree, water, ginger, garlic, chile powder, salt, garam masala, and turmeric and stir to combine.
  2. To make the rice: In a 1 1/2-quart stainless-steel bowl that will fit in the Instant Pot, stir together the rice, water, and salt. Place a tall steam rack in the pot, making sure its legs are resting on the bottom. Place the bowl of rice on the rack.
  3. Secure the lid and set the Pressure Release to Sealing. Select the Pressure Cook or Manual setting and set the cooking time for 5 minutes at high pressure.
  4. Let the pressure release naturally for 5 minutes, then move the Pressure Release to Venting to release any remaining steam. Open the pot. Using heat-resistant mitts, place the bowl of rice on a trivet and remove the tall steam rack. Add to the pot the coconut cream, tomato paste, fenugreek, and sugar and stir to combine. Select the high Sauté setting and cook until the curry comes to a boil and is heated through, about 2 minutes. Press the Cancel button to turn off the Instant Pot.
  5. Spoon the rice onto plates and ladle the curry over the top. Sprinkle with the cilantro and serve.
  6. Note: The unsweetened coconut cream used in the recipe (not to be confused with the sweetened coconut cream used primarily in cocktails) can be found canned in grocery stores. It can be replaced with the cream from a can of regular full-fat coconut milk. Put the can of coconut milk in the refrigerator for 4 to 5 hours or in the freezer for 5 minutes to separate the cream from the water, then open the can and scoop off the cream from the top of the coconut water. 
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