Instant Pot Butter Chicken is a Popular Indian delicacy where chicken is cooked in tomato-based gravy along with spices and freshcream.

Butter Chicken Masala Recipe | Indian Butter Chicken | How to make Butter Chicken at home with step by step pictures. Butter Chicken is been one of my favourite food since childhood. So whenever we visit a restaurant I never fail to order butter chicken. So sharing today India’s Famous Butter Chicken Masala, let’s see how to prepare this delicacy.
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Butter Chicken:
A creamy delicious not so spicy chicken curry is all I call my Butter Chicken Curry. It is a perfect add on to any Flatbread or Rice. It has a perfect blend of spices and is cooked in the easiest possible way using the Instant Pot. If you do not own an Instant Pot you may easily adapt the recipe on the stovetop or in a Pressure Cooker.
Ingredients:
Chicken - Use clean and juicy chicken breast pieces. Usually, in restaurants, boneless pieces are used for butter chicken. However, I include pieces with bones as well. You can use it as per your wish.
Spice Powders - We use the basic Indian spices to marinate the chicken and then in the gravy. I do not use any food color. Instead, go for the Kashmiri red chili powder for the bright color. It is easily available in all Indian stores. Or you can just skip and use the normal red chili powder. There might a difference in the color which is okay.
Tomato Paste - We cook the chicken in a tomato based gravy and hence we go for the tomato puree. You can use store-bought tomato puree or prepare your own puree in the home. Check the FAQs to see how to make tomato puree at home.
ginger garlic paste - The gives the flavor and as always we add to every chicken dish.
Whole spices- We fry the spices in the butter which gives a nice aroma to the curry.
Butter - As the name suggests we cook the butter chicken base in butter. We do not use any oil for the tempering. Use pure unsalted butter.
Sugar - Adding sugar balances and elevated the taste and it is a mandatory addition.
Fresh Cream - We use fresh cream towards the end and this enhances the richness and flavor of the curry. It cannot be skipped. The cream is mandatory for the butter chicken.
Kasoori Methi - Kasoori Methi is nothing but dried fenugreek leaves. It is a significant addition to the chicken. We usually crush the leaves between the palms and then sprinkle them over the curry.
FAQ's
How to Prepare Tomato Puree in the home?
All you have to do is to boil the tomato in water for 5-8 mins. You will see the split in the skin of the tomato. Switch off and cool down for few mins. Peel and remove the skin and chop the tomato roughly and then blend well to a fine puree. Your homemade tomato puree is ready.
What is Kasoori Methi?
It is the dried fenugreek leaves. Kasoori Methi is the Hindi name of dried fenugreek leaves. It adds a special flavor to the butter chicken. You can find them easily in Indian Stores.
Recipe Instructions
1.In a bowl add in the cleaned chicken. To this add in the Chilli Powder, Turmeric powder, Garam Masala, Ginger garlic paste, Salt, and Yogurt.
2. Combine everything and let it Marinate for an hour or overnight.
3. Switch on the Instant Pot in Saute mode. To this add in the butter and let it melt.
4. Next add in the Bay leaves, Fennel seeds, Cinnamon sticks, Cloves, and Cardamom pods. They will turn aromatic.
5. Next add in the tomato puree. combine everything and cook for 2 mins.
6. Next add in ginger garlic paste fry till the raw smell leaves.
7. Add in Chilli powder, Coriander powder, Garam Masala. Mix well and cook for few secs.
8. Now add in the marinated chicken and combine well so that the spices coat over the chicken.
9. Close the Instant Pot and turn the pressure valve to the sealing position. Select the Pressure Cook mode and set 5 mins in high pressure. Do a Quick Release after 5 mins and then open the Instant Pot. Chicken is now cooked perfectly.
10. Turn on the Instant Pot in saute mode again and Now add in the Sugar. Cook for 2 mins.
11. Next add in the fresh cream and combine well.
12. Finally take the dried kasoori methi crush well in between the palms and sprinkle over the butter chicken in Instant Pot. Combine and switch off the Instant Pot. Butter Chicken in Instant Pot is now ready to serve.
Serving Suggestions:
Butter Chicken goes well with all Flatbreads. My personal favorite is Naan and Butter Chicken. This combination is killer. It also goes well with some Jasmine Rice or Cumin Rice.
More Chicken Recipes
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📖 Recipe
Butter Chicken | Murgh Makhani
Standard 1 cup measures 240 ml
Ingredients
To Marinate :
- ½ kg Chicken
- 1 tsp Chilli powder
- ¼ tsp Turmeric powder
- ½ tsp Garam Masala
- 2 tsp Ginger garlic paste
- Salt as needed
- ¼ cup Curd /Yogurt
Other Ingredients :
- 2 tbsp Butter
- 1 Bay Leaves
- 1 inch Cinnamon stick
- 1 tsp Fennel Seeds
- 3 Cloves
- 3 Cardamom
- ½ tsp Ginger garlic paste
- 1 cup Tomato Puree
- 1 tsp Kashmiri Chilli powder
- ½ tsp Coriander powder
- ½ tsp Garam Masala
- Salt to taste
- ½ cup Water optional
- 1 tsp Sugar
- ½ cup Fresh Cream
- 1 tsp Kasuri Methi
Instructions
- In a bowl add in the cleaned chicken. To this add in the Chilli Powder, Turmeric powder, Garam Masala, Ginger garlic paste, Salt, and Yogurt.
- Combine everything and let it Marinate for an hour or overnight.
- Switch on the Instant Pot in Saute mode. To this add in the butter and let it melt.
- Next add in the Bay leaves, Fennel seeds, Cinnamon sticks, Cloves, and Cardamom pods. They will turn aromatic.
- Next add in the tomato puree. combine everything and cook for 2 mins.
- Next add in ginger garlic paste fry till the raw smell leaves.
- Add in Chilli powder, Coriander powder, Garam Masala. Mix well and cook for few secs.
- Now add in the marinated chicken and combine well so that the spices coat over the chicken.
- Close the Instant Pot and turn the pressure valve to the sealing position. Select the Pressure Cook mode and set 5 mins in high pressure. Do a Quick Release after 5 mins and then open the Instant Pot. Chicken is now cooked perfectly.
- Turn on the Instant Pot in saute mode again and Now add in the Sugar. Cook for 2 mins.
- Next add in the fresh cream and combine well.
- Finally take the dried kasoori methi crush well in between the palms and sprinkle over the butter chicken in Instant Pot. Combine and switch off the Instant Pot. Butter Chicken in Instant Pot is now ready to serve.
Video
Notes
· You can also replace sugar by honey.
· Pairs well with Roti or Naan.
· Use boneless chicken pieces for best results.
Nutrition
Disclaimer: I am not a nutritionist, the nutrition value provided here is an estimate. It will vary based on the quantity and brands of the products used.
Carolyn Schiffhouer says
This is by far the most amazing recipe for Butter Chicken. I stumbled on it and I am so happy I did. I keep sharing it with everyone I know! I have made it 4 times now and each time I make it it tastes perfect! Follow the directions and put in ALL the spices. It calls for some whole spices, but not having them I did use ground ones (like cloves) but they worked just fine (and I know cloves sound weird in this dish to a western cook, but ADD it! Makes a huge difference!!). I usually find recipes that taste good the first time, but when I make them again I wonder what was so great that first time. NOT with this recipe....it is perfect!!! Thank you!!
Denay DeGuzman says
One of my friends shared this butter chicken recipe with me. She enjoyed it with her husband last night. She said it was absolutely AMAZING! I look forward to making it this week.
Heather Johnson says
So delicious – butter chicken is decadent and making this in the IP was so easy!
Dannii says
Butter chicken is one of my favourite curries. So hearty and delicious.
Rachna says
This is delicious. I love butter chicken. Thank you for this detailed recipe in instant pot.
Lindsay says
I also love ordering butter chicken at restaurants! This recipe was very good, and I was quite proud of myself when I tasted it! thank you.