Instant Pot Tikka Masala

5 from 11 votes
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Instant Pot Tikka Masala is one of my favorite weeknight dishes. You will love how easy it is to make in the Instant Pot! The sweet and savory spices mixed with tender chicken create the perfect comfort dish. 

Instant pot tikka masala in a white bowl.
Featured with this recipe
  1. Ingredients for Instant Pot Tikka Masala
  2. Homemade Sauce Ingredients
  3. Instructions for Instant Pot Tikka Masala
  4. Turn Up the Heat
  5. Tips for Instant Pot Tikka Masala
  6. Differences from Authentic Tikka Masala
  7. Frequently Asked Questions
  8. Storing and Reheating Instant Pot Tikka Masala
  9. What to Serve with Instant Pot Tikka Masala
  10. Other Instant Pot Recipes To Try
  11. How to Make Instant Pot Tikka Masala
  12. Instant Pot Tikka Masala Recipe

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. 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!

Ingredients for Instant Pot Tikka Masala

These ingredients are easy to keep in the pantry and have chicken on hand. The instant pot mends and creates an easy tikka masala recipe that everyone loves. Kids to adults love this dinner!

  • Chicken – Skinless, boneless chicken breasts are cut into small bite-sized pieces. The chicken does not need to be cooked before adding to the instant pot.
  • Yogurt – This makes a creamy and thick sauce with yogurt. Use a plain flavor of yogurt. We used Greek yogurt for added thickness.
  • Lemon – The lemon juice will help a tart flavor that blends well with the other ingredients.
  • Garam masala – An authentic seasoning that has a blend of sweetness and warmth blended together.
  • Cayenne pepper – Add a little bit of spice to the instant pot chicken tikka masala.
  • Ginger – Grate and mince fresh ginger to stir in for more complexity in flavors.

Homemade Sauce Ingredients

This homemade sauce tastes authentic and full of flavor with just the right amount of flavors blended together! Fresh ingredients with a sweet and savory flavor in every bite.

  • Vegetable oil – The oil is for sauteing the onion and garlic. Sauté them until they are golden brown.
  • Onion – Slice and chop the onion into small pieces.
  • Garlic – Take your cloves of garlic and mince them.
  • Garam masala – You use this seasoning for both the chicken and the sauce. It is filled with cinnamon, peppercorns, cardamom, mustard seeds, ground coriander seeds, cloves, mace, and nutmeg.
  • Tomato sauce – Changes the color to an orange-red color. It is the base of the sauce and gives it the depth it needs.
  • Tomatoes – Fire-roasted diced tomatoes add a little kick (not much, don’t worry) but also give them a light and tasty flavor.
  • Heavy cream – Gives this sauce a thick and creamy texture.
  • Butter – Gives the sauce a richness with the butter.

Instructions for Instant Pot Tikka Masala

You will love how simple it is to make tikka masala in an instant pot! Quickly mix the ingredients, cook in the instant pot, then stir together. It is that simple!

  1. Mix – Combine the yogurt, lemon juice, garam masala, cayenne pepper, ginger, and salt and pepper. Pour over cubed chicken.
  2. Combine – Stir until the chicken is evenly coated. Cover with plastic wrap and store in the fridge for 30 minutes to marinate.
  3. Cook – 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.
  4. Stir – 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.
  5. Serve – Serve over rice or with naan bread. Top with fresh chopped cilantro.
A bowl of rice and chicken tikka masala with a forkful of chicken


Turn Up the Heat

As-is this recipe isn’t spicy at all. If you are looking to kick up the heat you can always add some extra cayenne or my favorite way to add some heat is by adding a good amount of Sriracha. Let others determine the amount of heat they want by serving it separately and allowing others to add it to their individual dishes rather than adding it directly to the sauce. My kids’ spice tolerance is literally zero, so we always serve the Sriracha on the side.

Tips for Instant Pot Tikka Masala

Follow these quick and easy tips to ensure that your instant pot tikka masala is the best every time! These are a few of our tips and ways we like to make this chicken dish come together perfectly.

  • Greek yogurt – It is best to use plain Greek yogurt in the sauce. This will add creaminess plus thicken the base of the tikka masala.
  • Spice – Make sure you have fresh quality spices. This helps with the flavor of the instant pot tikka masala.
  • Tomatoes – When it is time to add the tomatoes give them time to cook down to make the base of the sauce.
  • Deglaze – In the instant pot, you are going to have brown bits at the bottom of the pot that will need to be released. This will add flavor to the chicken too.
  • Garnish – Top with fresh cilantro chopped up on top for a pretty green abstract of colors and a rich flavor.
  • Serve – Make this a complete meal by adding naan bread and coconut rice as side dishes.

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. Try swapping out full-fat coconut milk for the heavy cream to make it more authentic too or you can also serve it with Raita (pictured below).

A bowl of raita next to a bowl of chicken tikka masala and rice

“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!”

-Amy

Frequently Asked Questions

What is 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.

How do I adjust the spice level to make it milder or spicier?

Adjust the amount of spice by adding in more or less cayenne or red pepper flakes depending on how spicy you want it to be. For less spice, omit or use less of the spicy seasonings in the instant pot tikka masala recipe.

Can I make tikka masala without an instant pot?

Yes! You can cook this in a slow cooker or on the stovetop. Simply brown the chicken and ingredients ahead of time then add the sauce and ingredients into the slow cooker or pot for cooking together.

What can I substitute for heavy cream if I want a lighter version?

Coconut milk or almond milk are two creamy milks that are lighter and less fat compared to heavy cream. Heavy cream does give you a creamy base that has a thick sauce.

Storing and Reheating Instant Pot Tikka Masala

This instant pot tikka masala is the perfect meal to store, freeze, and reheat leftovers! Prep your tikka masala ahead of time for meal prep lunches or dinners for the week. There are so many ways to store this instant pot tikka masala recipe!

  • Refrigerator – Place the chicken tikka masala in an airtight container for five to six days. This makes a great meal plan for the week!
  • Freezer – Add the instant pot tikka masala in a freezer-safe bag and store it in the freezer for up to a month. For best results, let it thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
  • Reheating – Place the tikka masala in a microwave or on the stovetop. Reheat slowly since the sauce has a creamy base that can separate if heated too quickly.

What to Serve with Instant Pot 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.

Read Next:27 BEST Instant Pot Recipes

Other Instant Pot Recipes To Try

The Instant Pot is one of our favorite kitchen tools. If you haven’t tried many instant pot recipes yet, this tikka masala is a perfect one to start with! If you are looking for more, try some of our other favorite Instant Pot recipes!

How to Make Instant Pot Tikka Masala

A bowl of raita next to a bowl of chicken tikka masala and rice

Instant Pot Tikka Masala

5 from 11 votes
Instant Pot tikka masala is 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 create the perfect comfort dish. 
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Marinating Time 30 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 10 minutes
Course Dinner
Cuisine Indian
Servings 6

Equipment

  • Instant Pot Pressure Cooker

Ingredients

For the Chicken

For the Sauce

For Serving (Optional)

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.
    Raw diced chicken with Tikka Masala sauce in a clear bowl.

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.
    A bowl of rice and chicken tikka masala

Notes

Garam Masala Substitution Note: Garam Masala is an amazing Indian spice blend. You can find it at most grocery stores, but if it is not available near you, you can substitute it. Combine 4 parts cumin with 1 part allspice. For example, 1 tablespoon of cumin and ¼ tablespoon allspice.
Instant Pot Note: We use a 6-quart Instant Pot brand pressure cooker that we bought in 2016. Different or newer versions may be more sensitive to the “BURN” notice. If you are concerned about the burn notice, we have found this article to be helpful: “What Does Burn Mean on my Instant Pot”

Nutrition Information

Serving: 1gCalories: 463kcalCarbohydrates: 13gProtein: 37gFat: 29gSaturated Fat: 17gCholesterol: 166mgSodium: 773mgPotassium: 950mgFiber: 3gSugar: 8gVitamin A: 1438IUVitamin C: 13mgCalcium: 117mgIron: 2mg

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About the author

Kelsey Crist

Kelsey lives in Washington with her husband, Alex, and two cats, Diana and Nova. Her happy place is in the kitchen listening to an audiobook and trying new recipes. When she's not in the kitchen you can find her hiking, shopping at Trader Joe's, or playing Animal Crossing. Her favorite food is pasta and Alex loves when she makes Homemade Oreos.

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Comments

  1. 5 stars
    The instant pot makes this so easy! It’s such a popular meal that everyone loves & it’s full of flavor!

  2. 5 stars
    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!

  3. 5 stars
    Thanks a lot for sharing this chicken tikka masala! It taste really amazing and very easy to make! Job well done! Highly recommended!

  4. 5 stars
    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.