Easy Instant Pot Butter Chicken

Instant Pot Butter Chicken. An easy, healthy recipe for Indian butter chicken made with easy to find ingredients. Delicious and not too spicy!

You’ll Need:

• 1 tablespoon coconut oil
• 1 small yellow onion — diced (about 1 cup)
• 4 cloves minced garlic — about 4 teaspoons
• 2 teaspoons garam masala
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• 1 tablespoon minced fresh ginger
• 1 1/2 tablespoons curry powder
• 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt
• Splash of water or low sodium chicken broth
• 1 28-ounce can tomato sauce
• 1 small cauliflower — or 1/2 large head, cut into florets (about 4 1/2 cups)
• 2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter — cut into small pieces (use coconut oil to make dairy free)
• 1/2 cup half-and-half — or full-fat coconut milk, do not use light coconut milk, as it will water down the sauce
• 1/2 cup plain nonfat Greek yogurt — or non-dairy yogurt to make dairy-free
• Prepared brown rice — quinoa, or naan, for serving
• Chopped fresh cilantro — for serving

Instructions:

1. Add the coconut oil to the Instant Pot and set to SAUTE. Once hot, add the onion and cook until beginning to soften, about 5 minutes. Add the ginger, garlic, curry, garam masala, chili powder, and salt. Cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Turn the Instant Pot to OFF. Add a splash or water or chicken broth and stir, using a sturdy plastic or wooden spoon to scrape loose any browned bits that have stuck. Make sure you remove all of the stuck on bits so that you don't trigger a burn warning.
2. Add the tomato sauce and cauliflower florets and stir to combine. Lay the chicken breasts on top, then scatter the butter pieces over the top.
3. Close and seal Instant Pot. Cook on Manual (HIGH) pressure for 12 minutes. Once the time is up, let the pressure release naturally for 10 minutes, then vent to immediately release any remaining pressure.
4. Carefully open the lid and transfer the chicken to a cutting board. Cut into bite-sized pieces, then return to the sauce. Stir in the half and half or coconut milk. Let cool a few minutes, then stir in the Greek yogurt (do not stir it in immediately or it will curdle). Serve with rice and a sprinkle of fresh cilantro.

NOTES:

• Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days or freeze for up to 3 months. Let thaw overnight in the refrigerator. Reheat leftovers gently on the stovetop or in the microwave.
• To make in the slow cooker (not tested, but this is my best estimate—some readers have tried and did report that the sauce ended up being thinner): Sauté the onions and spices in a skillet on the stove, then transfer to a slow cooker that is lightly coated with nonstick spray. Add the cauliflower, tomato sauce, and chicken, making sure the chicken is coated with the sauce. Cover and cook on high for 1 1/2 to 2 1/2 hours or low for 4 to 6 hours, until the chicken is cooked through. The cooking time may vary based on your slow cooker, so check early to ensure the chicken does not dry out. When the chicken is done, cut into bite-sized pieces, then return to the slow cooker and stir in with the half and half. Let cool a few minutes, then stir in the Greek yogurt. (Note that the sauce may be a thinner consistency when made in the slow cooker.)

Source: wellplated.com