Instant Pot Chicken Tikka Masala
A rich and flavorful Instant Pot Chicken Tikka Masala recipe made with a spiced yogurt marinade, chicken breast chucks and tossed in a creamy Indian curry then cooked in the Instant Pot pressure cooker in just 20 minutes. If you like Indian cuisine, you'll love this Chicken Tikka Masala recipe served with basmati rice, naan bread, and cilantro. Alternatively, this Chicken Tikka Masala recipe can be made on the stovetop and includes directions to easily make it using the stovetop method.
Servings 6 servings
Calories 381kcal
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 lb chicken breasts cut into 2 inch cubes
- 2 cups plain Greek yogurt
- 3 tbsp freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 2 tbsp garam masala
- 1 tbsp minced ginger
- 5 garlic cloves minced
- 1 tsp salt
Indian Curry Sauce
- 3 tbsp vegetable oil
- 1 large onion chopped
- 6 cloves garlic minced
- 1 tbsp fresh ginger peeled, minced
- 2 tsp turmeric
- 2 tsp garam masala
- 2 tsp ground coriander
- 2 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp salt more to taste
- 2 tsp chili powder
- 14 oz fire roasted tomatoes, drained or regular diced tomatoes
- ½ cups tomato sauce or passata
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter
- 1½ to 1 cup half and half
- 5 tbsp cilantro chopped
Instructions
- Whisk together yogurt, lemon juice, garam masala, ginger, garlic, and salt.
- Add cut chicken to the bowl and toss in the marinade until fully coated. Cover with plastic wrap and marinate in the fridge for at least 45 minutes or up to 24 hours.
- Turn device on. To make the curry sauce, set the Instant Pot to "sauté " mode and heat vegetable oil. Sauté chopped onions; about 5 minutes. Stir in minced garlic, and minced ginger. Cook for 1 minute.
- Stir in turmeric, garam masala, coriander, cumin, salt, and chili powder. Cook until fragrant; about 1-2 minutes.
- Drain canned tomatoes; discard liquid. Stir in tomatoes, and tomato sauce.
- Place the lid on top of the instant pot and secure it in place. NOTE: Do not add the chicken. The sauce needs to be cooked separately first.
- Set pressure valve nozzle to "sealing". Select "manual" or "pressure cook" mode; set pressure cook time on high-pressure for 5 minutes.Note: Pressure cooker will beep once when it comes to pressure. Next it will count down from 5 minutes to cook. Once done, it will beep. Next, the Instant pot will count the minutes that it sits for and may display as "L minutes".
- Select "cancel" to turn off device. Allow the pressure valve to "natural-release" for 10 minutes. This means you don't need to turn the pressure valve yet; leave it sealed.
- Quick-release pressure after 10 minutes by turning the pressure valve from "seal" to "venting". Once the pressure pin drops, open the lid.
- Stir in butter until melted. Stir in half and half. Add the chicken and yogurt marinade to the Instant Pot. Stir to combine.
- Secure lid on Instant pot. Turn pressure valve to "sealing". Select "manual" or "pressure cook" mode. Set time to cook for 6 minutes.
- After timer goes off, allow the pressure to "naturally-release" for 10 minutes. Turn pressure valve to "venting" to manually release remaining pressure.
- Stir chicken tikka masala. Serve over rice or with naan bread. Sprinkle top with chopped cilantro.
Notes
Can I make this recipe on the stove instead of in a pressure cooker?
Yes, you can make this recipe on the stovetop. Simply cook the chicken on the stove and prepare and cook the sauce separately, then combine the two and simmer until the chicken is cooked through. Where can I find garam masala, turmeric, and coriander?
These ingredients can easily be found in most grocery stores in the spice aisle and/or ethnic aisle. In addition, an Indian grocery store will have these spices as well as Amazon.
Yes, you can make this recipe on the stovetop. Simply cook the chicken on the stove and prepare and cook the sauce separately, then combine the two and simmer until the chicken is cooked through. Where can I find garam masala, turmeric, and coriander?
These ingredients can easily be found in most grocery stores in the spice aisle and/or ethnic aisle. In addition, an Indian grocery store will have these spices as well as Amazon.
- New to using Instant Pot? Read this article for more information.
Nutrition
Calories: 381kcal | Carbohydrates: 16g | Protein: 43g | Fat: 16g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Trans Fat: 0.2g | Cholesterol: 131mg | Sodium: 1132mg | Potassium: 1047mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 8g | Vitamin A: 775IU | Vitamin C: 17mg | Calcium: 202mg | Iron: 3mg