Chicken Tikka Masala

main dish
indian
pressure cook
Author

Kristina Bishop

Published

March 22, 2024

Growing up in Dallas, Texas and later attending graduate school there, I have had the opportunity to make many friends from India. I love Indian food. This is a simple recipe for Butter Chicken to help you introduce those you love to Indian food. Plus, it’s modified for the pressure cooker to save you time.

Ingredients

Marinade (up to one day ahead, optional)

  • 2 pounds chicken thighs or breasts
  • 1/2 - 1 teaspoon each of salt and pepper
  • 2 (5.3 oz) containers plain Greek yogurt
  • 1 tablespoon of garam masala
  • 1 teaspoon tumeric powder
  • 2 tablespoons dried fenugreek leaves or 1/2 teaspoons ground fenugreek
  • 2 teaspoons fresh ginger, grated or 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
  • 1 1/2 tablesppoons lemon juice

Curry Sauce

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1-2 sweet onions, cut in 1-inch chunks
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon ground cardamom or 5-6 cardamom pods (peel the pod and crush seeds)
  • 1 tablespoon garam masala
  • 1 (28-ounce) can tomatoes, chopped
  • 3 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 1 cup yogurt or heavy cream
  • 2-3 tablespoons dried fenugreek leaves or 1 1/2 teaspoons ground fenugreek
  • 2 sticks cinnamon (optional)

Serve with Rice or naan.

Directions

Marinade (up to one day ahead)

  1. Place chicken in zipblock bag.
  2. Add salt, pepper, yogurt, garam masala, tumeric, fenugreek, ginger, and lemon juice.
  3. Mix to coat chicken.
  4. Refrigerate until ready to cook.

Pressure Cooking

  1. Place olive oil and onions in pressure cooker. Cook until onions are soft and translucent about 5 minutes, over medium-high heat on the SEAR/SAUTE function.
  2. Add chicken to pressure cooker, while discarding any leftover seasoned yogurt, to brown on the outside.
  3. Add garlic, cardamom, garam masala, tomatoes, tomato paste, salt and pepper. Mix with the chicken.
  4. PRESSURE cook for 8 minutes on HIGH. Quick release.
  5. Serve with rice or naan.

Chicken in a pressure cooker with tomatoes and spices

Butter Chicken in the Pressure Cooker after pressure releases

chicken in a bowl with rice and tomatoes

Finished plate of Butter Chicken with Rice

Notes:

  • This recipe can be made without prior marination of chicken. Just to save you time without sacrificing flavor.
  • This recipe does well when using chicken thighs.
  • Omit the yogurt in the pressure cooking section if you want more tomato flavor and a thicker consistency.