This Instant Pot Chicken Tikka Masala is an easy and flavorful weeknight dinner made with chicken in a creamy tomato based sauce with a lot of bold spices. Always a family favorite.
Combine all the marinade ingredients together in a large bowl and mix thoroughly so that each piece of chicken is fully coated in the yogurt mixture. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes up to 48 hours.
Turn on your Instant Pot to the 'Saute' setting. Add the butter, chopped onion, minced garlic & ginger, and all spices (garam masala, cumin, paprika, turmeric, coriander, cayenne pepper, salt, and black pepper). Stir and cook for a couple of minutes until the onion softens.
Add the tomato puree and the chicken (along with the marinade) to the pot. Stir everything. Cancel the 'Saute' setting, close the lid, and select the 'Manual' setting, and adjust to 6 minutes on high pressure.
Once the cook cycle is complete, carefully move the steam release valve to quickly release pressure.
Add the heavy whipping cream, and season with more salt and black pepper, if necessary.
Serve warm over rice, and garnish with cilantro.
NOTES
Marinate the chicken for at least 30 minutes for the most tender chicken (if you have time, marinate the bite-sized pieces overnight). Marinating the chicken in yogurt and lemon juice will tenderize the meat, and the spices will infuse it with additional flavor.
Don’t omit any of the spices for best flavor! Popular spices found in Indian Chicken Tikka Masala are garam masala spice blend (cumin, coriander, black pepper, cardamom, cinnamon), turmeric, paprika, cayenne pepper. And of course the fresh garlic and ginger add a lot of fresh flavor to the recipe as well.
In order to achieve a thick sauce (instead of a soup-like consistency) use tomato puree or diluted tomato paste instead of tomato sauce. Add 1/2 cup of water to 1/2 cup of tomato paste.
NUTRITION
Nutrition Facts
Instant Pot Chicken Tikka Masala
Amount Per Serving
Calories 268Calories from Fat 180
% Daily Value*
Fat 20g31%
Saturated Fat 9g45%
Cholesterol 79mg26%
Sodium 1184mg49%
Potassium 410mg12%
Carbohydrates 8g3%
Fiber 2g8%
Sugar 4g4%
Protein 13g26%
Vitamin A 1160IU23%
Vitamin C 8.6mg10%
Calcium 60mg6%
Iron 1.9mg11%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.