Make Instant Pot Butter Chicken at home in 30 minutes! This Indian restaurant classic is delicious with tender chicken cooked in a fragrant, savory sauce.
For slow cooker version, check out this butter chicken in crockpot. And be sure to try low carb butter chicken spaghetti squash!
Table of Contents
This Instant Pot butter chicken is of Indian restaurant quality but ready in only 30 minutes! That’s faster than takeout can be delivered to your door.
Chicken comes out tender and coconut milk sauce flavorful and authentic with a touch of butter. Serve over freshly cooked Instant Pot basmati rice sprinkled with cilantro and naan bread on a side. Delicious!
What Is Butter Chicken?
Butter chicken, known as murgh makhani in India, is an authentic Indian curry with a rich sauce and fragrant spices. I have simplified this recipe with ingredients you may already have on hand or are easy to find.
It’s rich and luscious and made in your Instant Pot! Although, you could make this Thai chicken curry or yellow chicken curry if all you have is the stove!
Ingredients for Instant Pot Butter Chicken
In this Instant Pot butter chicken recipe, coconut milk and tomato paste combined together for a rich sauce that is then topped off with butter, so luscious! This is a perfect Instant Pot recipe for beginners or novices.
- Chicken: Boneless and skinless chicken breasts or thighs work.
- Butter: Just two tablespoons add a richness to the sauce! To keep this Instant Pot butter chicken recipe dairy free, try a dairy free butter or omit.
- Coconut milk: From a can, not from a carton. I used full fat coconut milk and my favourite brand is Thai Kitchen for its ingredients and consistency.
- Tomato paste: Should be no salt added or low sodium. If not, reduce additional salt.
- Cornstarch: To thicken the sauce.
- Fresh garlic and ginger: I would not recommend to use dried ginger but you can.
- Fragrant spices: Curry powder, garam masala and chili powder. This butter chicken is kid friendly but if you want it spicier, add more spices.
How to Make Instant Pot Butter Chicken
Once you learn how to cook butter chicken in Instant Pot, your takeout bill will drop dramatically! Only a few easy steps and electric pressure cooker butter chicken recipe is ready to eat.
Add ingredients in exact order listed in the recipe: Onion, garlic, ginger, curry powder, garam masala, chili powder, salt, pepper, coconut milk, maple syrup, tomato paste and chicken.
Adding tomato products near top avoids Burn.
Recipe Tip
For Instant Pots made in 2020 and later I would add at least 1/2 of cold water. I do not have this issue with three of my Instant Pots I test recipes in but I bought them into 2019 and prior. I believe Instant Pot company made new models more sensitive and some readers have reported a Burn notice.
Cook Instant Pot Butter Chicken on High Pressure for 12 minutes: Depending on the model, you will need to press Pressure Cook button and make sure Instant Pot is set to High pressure.
Or some models have Manual button only which equals to pressure cooking on High.
It will take about 15-20 minutes for pressure to build up.
Release pressure: Wait for 3 or so minutes and do Quick Release by turning valve to Venting.
A few minutes of wait are to make sure bubbling comes down and strong pressure doesn’t pull out moisture from meat.
With this Instant Pot Butter Chicken recipe, you can also wait for pressure to subside on its own called Natural Release. Doesn’t really matter for this recipe as pot will stay on Keep Warm.
Remove chicken and add butter: Add butter into sauce, stir and let melt. Meanwhile, cut up chicken on cutting board. Use forks to remove and hold meat as it’s hot.
Thicken the sauce: Press Sauté. In a small bowl, whisk cold (!) water and cornstarch with a fork, then add to the pot, stir and cook until sauce has thickened, for a few minutes.
Cold water is important to prevent cornstarch from clumping.
Combine: Add back chicken, give a few stirs.
I like to add some chopped fresh cilantro into the pot and then some over Instant Pot butter chicken when serving with rice on individual plates.
Tips for Best Results
Here are the top tips for the best Instant Pot Butter Chicken from my kitchen to yours!
- Newer Instant Pot models – add water: Some readers have reported getting a burn notice. I believe Instant Pots made after 2020 are more sensitive to heat. Add at least 1/2 of cold water before cooking then.
- Too acidic? Add additional 1 tsp of sugar or maple syrup to the sauce.
- Dried ginger powder: I have not tried replacing fresh ginger with dried, but I recommend to start with 1 tsp. It is more concentrated than fresh. Easier to adjust after.
- Garam masala substitute: Combine 2 tsp cumin with 1 tsp allspice. Or just replace with curry powder but taste will be different and not quite the authentic butter chicken recipe taste.
- Cilantro garnish: Try parsley or mint.
- Bone in chicken: I had this Instant Pot butter chicken recipe originally posted with 3 lbs of chicken drumsticks. Feel free to use them or chicken thighs as well. Cook time will be 20 minutes.
- Heavy cream (whipping cream): Or half and half can be used instead of dairy free coconut milk. Sauce will not be as savory or as light.
What To Serve With Instant Pot Butter Chicken?
- Traditional: Serve with naan bread and Instant Pot long grain white rice, Instant Pot coconut rice or Instant Pot brown rice.
- Low carb: Learn how to make cauliflower rice for healthy butter chicken, low carb option.
- Cucumber salad: Either sliced fresh cucumbers or creamy cucumber salad.
Storage Tips
Storing: Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to 5 days. Or if you have room in the fridge, you can stick entire inner pot covered with glass or silicone fitting lid. Then reheat right in Instant Pot on Saute mode. Ha!
Freezing: You can freeze cooked leftovers for up to 3 months. Then thaw in the fridge overnight or on a counter for 6 hours.
Make ahead: Enjoy this Instant Pot butter chicken as a freezer meal! Add all ingredients to gallon Ziploc bag (minus butter, cornstarch, and cilantro). Cook from frozen with 1 cup of water for 30 minutes, then quickly release the pressure.
Check out all my healthy freezer meals for Instant Pot or slow cooker they make busy nights easier!
FAQs
I have not tested that, but you could. Your sauce will not be as thick or flavorful.
I suppose you could but you will want to do this after pressure cooking. Either steam veg separately and then add. Or add frozen peas, frozen peppers, or small fresh cauliflower florets after and they should thaw/cook from the heat.
Yes, in 6 or 8 quart Instant Pot.
Yes, it will fit, just follow the recipe.
Release pressure, add 1/2 cup water, don’t stir and start again. Newer models are more sensitive. Could happen. Again it doesn’t mean food is burning. It’s the computer that sensors certain temperature above certain level.
I have 3 Instant Pots and it doesn’t happen on any of them.
You can use frozen chicken breasts or thighs, just make sure they are separated. Cooking time should be 15 minutes, just in case. And your pot will take longer to come to pressure.
This Instant Pot butter chicken recipe is ‘warming’. If you are worried your kids will think it’s too spicy, reduce chili powder and curry powder.
More Instant Pot Recipes
- Instant Pot dal
- Instant Pot teriyaki chicken
- Instant Pot whole frozen chicken
- Instant Pot chicken and rice
Also you have to check out 45 healthy Instant Pot recipes!
Instant Pot Butter Chicken Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 large onion chopped
- 4 large garlic cloves minced
- 2 inch fresh ginger minced
- 1 tbsp curry powder
- 1 tbsp garam masala
- 1 tsp chili powder
- 3/4 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper
- 14 oz can coconut milk full fat
- 2 tbsp maple syrup or honey
- 2 lbs chicken breasts or thighs boneless & skinless
- 6 oz can tomato paste low sodium
- 2 tbsp butter
- 2 tbsp cold water
- 2 tbsp cornstarch
- Cilantro for garnish
- Instant Pot brown rice for serving
Instructions
- Close the lid, set pressure vent to Sealing and press Pressure Cook on High or Manual for 12 minutes.
- After 12 minutes is up, wait 3 minutes or so, and release pressure using Quick Release by turning valve to Venting.
- Open the lid, remove chicken onto a cutting board and cut into bite size pieces.
- Press Sauté and add butter. In a small bowl, whisk cold water and cornstarch with a fork, pour into the pot and whisk. Cook for a few minutes until sauce has thickened a bit. Press Cancel.
- Return chicken to the pot, stir and serve over brown rice garnished with cilantro.
Video
Notes
- Store: Refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
- Freeze: Fully cook, cool completely and freeze in an airtight container for up to 3 months. Thaw in a fridge or on a counter.
- Newer Instant Pot models – add water: Some readers have reported getting a burn notice. I believe Instant Pots made after 2020 are more sensitive to heat. Add at least 1/2 of cold water before cooking then.
- Instant Pot: In a gallon size Ziploc bag, add all ingredients (minus butter, water, cornstarch and cilantro). Make chicken breasts are separated with other ingredients. Let air out and reseal the bag. Freeze for up to 3 months in an upright position, so frozen blob fits into Instant Pot. Cook from frozen with 1 cup water for 30 minutes, Quick Release.
- Slow cooker: Thaw in the fridge for 24 hours before cooking. Cook with 1 cup water on Low for 8 hours or on High for 4 hours.
- After cooking: Open the lid, add butter and press Sauté (cancel Keep Warm if it’s on). In a small bowl, whisk water and cornstarch with a fork. Pour over chicken and stir gently. Cook for a few minutes until sauce has thickened a bit.
Made this for supper yesterday as written and got “burn” twice even though I put the tomato paste on top of the chicken. After the second burn, I added one cup of water. Had a little scorching on the bottom and on some of the chicken but not enough to affect the flavour. Will definitely be making this as a freezer meal. It was delicious! Votes of approval from the whole family.
I’m so glad to hear you love this recipe. I’m going to add a note to the recipe that for Instant Pots made in 2020 and later I would add at least half a cup of water. I do not have this issue with three of my Instant Pots I test recipes in but I bought them into 2019 and prior. I believe Instant Pot company made new models more sensitive.
Olena, would love to try this but have a tomato allergy. What does the tomato do in this recipe and can you suggest an alternative? Thanks. We love your recipes!!
It adds flavor. Not sure about the alternative but maybe you can try to omit it…
I’m in an RV camper for the next month, with only a 3 quart slow cooker. How do I make it in a slow cooker???? I love your recipes!
You can just make this recipe https://ifoodreal.com/crock-pot-butter-chicken/. It will fit into your 3 quart slow cooker. Glad you are enjoying my recipes!
Olena!!! This was so delicious. This will do my lunches for a few days. Thanks for the easy recipe.
So glad you enjoyed it!
I wasn’t sure how to rate this recipe, because once finished, it’s absolutely delicious.
I’ve made it several times, and always get a BURN message. I’ve added notes on my paper copy of the recipe to mix all ingredients first before placing chicken on top. Hopefully this will take care of any future BURN messages. Additionally, I cook for a few more minutes than stated on the recipe as chicken breasts seem to always take a little longer to cook than what recipes states.
Notes on how your appliance cooks and what works for you is always a great idea. Glad you enjoy the finished dish!
I made this a few weeks ago and although it was tasty and easy, it was WAY too spicy for me. I cooled it off with some sour cream but next time, I’ll really cut back on the chili powder. I love most of your instant ot recipes and I’ll give this one another try.
So glad you enjoyed it, and yes spices are always customizable to taste!
This is soooooo delicious! Last time I made butter chicken, I used a sauce that I purchased and it was less than satisfying. This recipe is fantastically delicious and so easy. Thank you!!
So glad you enjoyed it Tamalita!
Although I loved the flavors and convenience, it was TOO spicy for me. I added some sour cream to decrease the spiciness . Next time, I’ll cut down on the chile. Had to look for awhile to find garam masala.
I made this recipe and it tastes amazing. I feel good that it’s healthy too. I made it in the crockpot. I appreciate all of the tips on freezer meals, crockpots, etc. You are very talented. Thank you for this recipe. It’s a keeper!
So glad it turned out great Kathy and thank you for the kind words!
I don’t have a particularly developed palate, nor am I so familiar with Indian food to determine if this comes out like the real deal. But it is really delicious, easy to make, and takes to modifications. We were out of onions, and I had some kale which was not going to get used otherwise. I threw half a bag of kale in, and subbed tomato sauce (8 oz) for the 6 oz of paste called for — just because it was in the fridge and needing to be used. It came out as delicious as ever.
So glad to hear it turned out well, loved that you used what you had on hand!