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Instant Pot Chicken Tikka Masala makes one of my favorite Indian dishes so simple I can make it any night of the week. The sweet and savory spices mixed with tender chicken creates the perfect comfort dish.
Instant Pot Chicken Tikka Masala
If you haven’t tried many instant pot recipes yet, this is a perfect one to start with! For a super fast meal that packs a ton of flavors, the instant pot can deliver every time. Try our Easy Instant Pot Gumbo or our Instant Pot Beef Stroganoff too!
I am absolutely in love with Indian food. The herbs and spices of Indian cuisine have this sweet and savory blend that is just so comforting to me. Some people crave sweets, but I crave this chicken tikka masala recipe ALL THE TIME. I love making it in the Instant Pot. I only have one pot to clean up at the end of dinner, but it tastes like I was in the kitchen making a big mess all day.
Differences from Authentic Tikka Masala
If you are looking for perfectly-authentic-in-every-way Chicken Tikka Masala, this recipe might not be the one. However, if you are looking for perfectly-delicious-easy-to-make Chicken Tikka Masala then you are in the right place! I wanted to share this recipe because it is easy, and uses methods and ingredients that are accessible to most people. That being said, there are a few ways you can up the authenticity if you are interested! Traditionally, the chicken would be cooked in a tandoori oven before simmering in the sauce. You can recreate this at home by searing the chicken on the grill before adding it to the Instant Pot. You can also swap out full-fat coconut milk for the heavy cream to make it more authentic. You can also serve it with Raita (pictured below).
The Difference Between Butter Chicken and Chicken Masala
If you’ve had butter chicken before, this recipe will taste very similar; however there are some slight differences. Butter chicken has a less intense tomato flavor with more of a creamy texture. And this chicken tikka masala is a bit less creamy but boasts a richer tomato base in the sauce.
What to Serve with Tikka Masala
A simple side of steamed rice and your choice of vegetables pair perfectly with this sweet and savory dish. But you could also make a side of basmati rice, or cauliflower rice. Other sides to try include:
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How to Make Instant Pot Chicken Tikka Masala
Instant Pot Tikka Masala
Equipment
- Instant Pot Pressure Cooker
Ingredients
For the Chicken
- 2 pounds chicken breast cut into cubes
- 1 cup plain yogurt
- 2 Tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 Tablespoon garam masala see note for substitution
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1 Tablespoon fresh grated ginger
- salt and pepper
For the Sauce
- 2 Tablespoons vegetable oil
- 1 onion diced
- 1 clove garlic minced
- 2 Tablespoons garam masala see note for substitution
- 2 cups tomato sauce
- 14 ounces fire roasted diced tomatoes
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 2 Tablespoons butter
For Serving (Optional)
- rice
- naan bread
- chopped cilantro
Instructions
For the Chicken
- Combine the yogurt, lemon juice, garam masala, cayenne pepper, ginger, and salt and pepper. Pour over cubed chicken.
- Stir until the chicken is evenly coated. Cover with plastic wrap and store in the fridge for 30 minutes to marinate.
For the Sauce
- Turn the Instant Pot to "Saute" mode. Add vegetable oil. Once the oil is heated, add onion, garlic, and garam masala. Cook until onions are tender.
- Add tomato sauce and diced tomatoes. Stir to combine. Then add chicken and all the marinade.
- Place the lid on the Instant Pot and move the vent to the "Sealing" position. Set the Instant Pot to "Poultry" and set the timer for 5 minutes. When the timer goes off, let the pressure release naturally for about 10 minutes. Then do a quick release. Remove the lid and stir the contents.
- Add heavy cream and butter. Stir to combine. If the sauce is too thin, set the Instant Pot to "Saute" and cook until the desired consistency is reached.
- Serve over rice or with naan bread. Optional: top with fresh chopped cilantro.
The instant pot makes this so easy! It’s such a popular meal that everyone loves & it’s full of flavor!
One of my favorite Indian dishes!! Super easy & so much flavor!
This is one of my absolute favorite recipes! So creamy and packed full of flavor! Thank you for the step by step directions too! So helpful!
Thanks a lot for sharing this chicken tikka masala! It taste really amazing and very easy to make! Job well done! Highly recommended!
I’m making this right now and my yogurt sauce isn’t yellow at all. Did I do something wrong?
Instant Pot for the win. Loved this recipe. Everything is easier with the instant pot.
Another perfect instant pot recipe! yum, thanks for the easy dinner idea!
Perfect for our family curry nights. We love tikka masala, not too spicy for the kids but has a bit of a kick for the adults.
Love how easy this is with an Instant Pot! I bet it makes your house smell amazing!
This Tikka Masala looks so tender and flavorful! I can’t wait to make this tonight for dinner, thank you!